ONLINE TALENT HUNTING
Submitted by mia1979 on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 11:00.
Tagged: General Acting Questions
Hello,
> I came across some acting websites that ask for membership fees when you
> sign-up with their program. They are talent hunting services for actors.
> They claim to find you background work, and even principle work auditions.
> They are very tempting, however, I was told never to give money unless you
> make money first. I am tempted, and comfused. My passion to be a successful
> actress is growing harder every time I see a good movie. I want to show
> that I'm driven, but I don't want to be stupid. Please help!!
> Mia
NO FEES!!!!!! EVER.
Mia,
Short of an 'Accredited' school, headshots and copies of it, never pay for anything!
Outfits who 'claim' to be able to help you are SCAMS, pure and simple. (I could name a few, but it would probably get edited out to protect the site.)
Those 'companies' that you see in the malls, with 17 year old kids trying to tell you "Oh my, with those looks you (or your kid) could make big money as a model/actor" are nothing more than photo mills. They 'say' they can help you to find work, once you have spent THOUSAND$ with them on pictures and classes, but NOTE: most of them are not even registered as agents.
I say again, "IT'S A SCAM!" (Getting the idea?)
Let's expand, just a bit. No advance money to agents either. An Agent works for YOU. They ONLY get paid IF and WHEN you work AND get paid. It's their job to send you on auditions, negotiate the best contract (pay) for you and then collect the money. If you are SAG or AFTRA or AEA, then the contracts and commissions are already done. (10%) If not, then you are at their mercy, so watch them carefully.
Headshots (even GREAT ones) should cost 'under' $350. Agents should never charge more than 20% (modeling & non-union actors.) More than that and you are with the wrong agency.
HERE IS WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:
1) realize that this industry is filled with 'wanna-be's'. People who think they have 'natural' talent and could star in a big 'blockbuster' tomorrow! (If you think that, then you are a fool!) You have talent, but it's 'rough' and needs to be honed.
2) The most important thing you can do is 'learn to act'! As an actor/producer, I have seen people make HUGE fools of themselves just by auditioning! Take basic 'acting lessons' in college or from acting coaches with a decent track record.
3) THEN, learn how to translate that talent on stage or on screen. Different 'techniques' for both.
4) Practice, practice, practice. If you haven't worked this week, you're out of practice. Join a workshop and go to every session you can.
Oh yes, those websites that are databases of photos. There are a 'few' that are (only now) starting to get used. For SAG, there is 'iactor' (from the guild and free to members). Beyond that, you may want to register with 'Actor's Access', but do it through your agent and ONLY if he/she uses it. Beyond that, if you want to waste time, join on or two of the (dozens) of 'free' ones. Just don't expect much and PLEASE, don't pay for it.
Ladies and gentlemen (and especially Mia), this is not rocket science. Any job you pursue requires ability, knowledge and a track record (resume?). This industry 'looks' glamorous, and (for a select few) it can be, but it's also HARD WORK spiced up with a heaping of rejection. IF you treat this as a cut throat business, where only a few (5%) will ever have any real success, have a 'business plan' and some good teachers, you will love it. Otherwise, I'll call you the next time I need an insurance quote.
Best of success to you,
Reed Kalisher
Producer
Angry Pig Productions
A reader disagrees: Good headshots cost more than $350
Hi Reed - An actor on my list sent this in:
"I think it is poor and inaccurate advice for new actors to say that you should never pay more than $350 for headshots "even good ones". In major cities like NY and LA, it costs a lot more than that to shoot with someone good and is well worth it. I shot with Peter Hurley (NY based)- he is the best and the most expensive, as well. I paid $1,500 and booked soap work 2 weeks later. I then booked commercial work because of how great my commercial photo is, and the money came back with a month. Same goes for everyone who worked with him. In NY, no professional headshot photographer with decent quality work charges $350. - Nelly"
I tend to agree with Reed, however. There are plenty of great photographers (you can find them in a few minutes by placing an ad on CraigsList) that will do solid work for $350. Will you get slightly better quality if you pay twice that? Probably. Will it make or break your career? Probably not. More than half the actors I've hired in the past ten years I did so without ever seeing their headshot: they were referred by friends (see the importance of networking!), I saw them in another play or film (keep sending those postcards to producers!), or met them at an event.
Headshot Photographers
Hi -
I am a Career Consultant and Personal Manager. I have worked in the business for more than thirty-three years.The price you pay for headshots depends on three factors; 1) where you live. 2) how much you are willing to spend, and 3) how good of a sales job the photographer has done, which in turn, hooks you upon seeing their work.
To sound and look very with it, and in the know, there are countless numbers of folks who believe that the more they spend, the better it has to be be. Of course, those of us who have been around the block a few times are not so naive.
There are hundreds of headshot photographers who are honest and decent business people and are not out to take advantage of the gullibles the newbies into thinking that they are the best because they charge the most. I always find those assumptions to be quite humorous.
Higher priced photographers can produce a higher quality headshot, but...
I am very careful what I tell a client, because I know full well that they will do whatever I suggest that they do. Fortunately, I have scrupples.
Acting Studios
Good Afternoon Mr. Reed
I would like to ask you regarding Acting Studios.
I went to a LA studio and realized that there were too much physical contact drived by emotions pulled from the past real eperiences of the student actors ( such as pulling to hard, throwing other students to the flor by the other partner student during a scene, to much kissing and touching and sometimes throwing things). The scenes were not necesarrily asking for these situations, but the acting coach did not controled any situation. It seems that he wanted to give a great show to the other students watching.
Please comment if this is expected in a Acting studio in order to learn proper TV and Film acting.
Are this physical situations needed for TV and Film acting, regarding of the opinion of the student?
sa
Mia, Avoid places that ask
Mia,
Avoid places that ask you to pay a membership fee up front. They may also tell you that you have to take headshots with their photographer, even though you already may have some.
If you're passionate about acting, look for a good acting teacher in your area, who will put on yearly showcases for you to perform in.
Agencies go to showcases to find the next talent they want to represent. There, an agent may find an interest in your performance and will ask to meet with you.
Or you can submit your headshots and resume to agencies by mailing (not emailing) it to them. Use the clear headshot envelopes that ActorTips.com have available for purchase.
Agencies will find work for you, without asking for any money up front. They get money only when you land the part at the audition.
Good luck and have fun!