INDUSTRYINSIDER
doing what your told is what keeps your employed. This is the same deal. Trust me on this! Go above and beyond in your job to her hired, get noticed and get promoted (re-hired).
Agents:
Once you get training, experience and head-shots, you may want to hire an agent to assist you with casting notices. Make sure they are reputable. The best place to find one is either the Arizona Production Association site: http:// www.azproduction.com/ clients.php?id=123 or through the SAG-AFTRA site: http:// www.sagaftra.org/agencyrelations/sag-franchisedagents Most of them have web fees or minimal start up fees and all of them take a percentage of your pay. The percentage and fees depend on if your a union actor or not. The choice of an agency is very personal. I recommend getting an an appointment with all of them your interested in to see what they have to offer, and who is interested in you as a talent. Most of the time, if you hire an agent, you have to pay them a commission for any work you may get on your own. Most contracts are exclusive. Make sure you ask. If one says no, find out why and move on. Usually you are too new, or they have 6 people just like you (look, age). Don't take it personal. You can also remain as an independent, but you have to work harder to find your own work.
Recipe for Success:
There are some other things you need to do to be successful. You need to invest some time and money to get yourself out there properly and be taken seriously. If you really WANT this, get a part-time job to pay for some of these things.
become Union, you have to do some union work, and it can get complicated if your not paying attention. You can reach the local office for more information here http://www.sagaftra.org/ locals/phoenix/about-ourbranch and tap into some local resources here http:// www.sagaftra.org/locals/phoenix/ local-resources
But wait, there's more!
I can't possibly cover everything here, nor do I claim to know everything about the business, but I wanted to get you thinking a little, and I wanted to help you get started. The most important thing is to have FUN! Good luck, I wish you much success in your acting career. See you on set! www.DebbieJennings.biz
Training:
Group classes, private classes, I have taken many of them. You can't act unless you know what to do. Any profession takes proper training. Google "acting classes" and instructors in your area, or ask other actors who they recommend (and who to stay away from). There are a lot of great books on the subject and there are some great study groups as well.
Casting notices:
GoodFaithCasting.com, Durant.com, Movieworknow.com, to name a few, also Facebook groups -- all good places if you don't have an agent and are looking for work. Headshots, Business Cards, Resume, Facebook, Twitter, IMDb, Website - all important tools of the business. Some are optional, all are ideal. Network. Get to know others in the business. Facebook groups, meet-up groups, mixers, festivals, theater groups. Find them and get involved. Lots of creative people out there, and you should know them!
Unions:
In states like Arizona, where the right-towork law prevails and we have no tax-credits for film-makers, union work is hard to come by. However, we do have some work and there are union actors here. The union is very structured, organized, strict and pays very well. If you want quality over quantity, contact the local office to get more information. To
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Agents & Unions:
Should I get an agent? Should I join a Union? Both are complicated questions with no easy answer.