The Secret To Getting MORE Auditions - Insider tips from 30 Casting Directors, Agents and Managers!

25 Ways To Get MORE Auditions!

By Talent Manager Wendy Alane Wright

Every day actors ask me this question: "How Can I Get More Auditions?" The majority of actors I speak to feel they are just not "getting out enough" with their agents. Or they don't have an agent and they need MORE auditions. These 25 insider tips will help you get more auditions and make you more marketable to potential employers!

You should also know it is possible to get more auditions without an agent. You simply have to know what to do.

I am going to give you very specific advice for actors who want to increase their auditions. Assuming you already have trained extensively at becoming an actor, this advice won't be for the lazy actor. It will take WORK, but it works! 

And you are worth it.

I interviewed a bunch of my personal industry friends to give you the REAL information you need. I find that successful people are very willing to help new actors succeed. Don’t be intimidated by Casting Directors, Agents or Managers. We love actors; that’s why we do what we do.

If you want to learn HOW to get more auditions this book is a MUST READ for every actor - "25 WAYS TO GET MORE AUDITIONS - with Insider tips from 30 Casting Directors, Agents and Managers."

These answers are the REAL deal. In this book you will hear from people who hire actors EVERY SINGLE DAY. 
Take their advice to heart and put it into action. You CAN have a successful acting career. You just need to know what to do!

Don't wait. Download the BOOK TODAY! Only $10 http://www.secretsofahollywoodtalentmanager.com/#!untitled/cktc

When you follow the advice in this book you will be amazed by the results you can get.

Email me and let me know the projects you are booking! I love success stories... especially ones I help create :)

See you on the RED CARPET!

Wendy Alane Wright

Talent Manager
WAW Entertainment 
wawentertainment@yahoo.com

Rock Your SELF-TAPE AUDITIONS!

Wendy Alane Wright is a Hollywood Talent Manager with WAW Entertainment. Her clients have appeared in numerous national commercials, movies, webisodes, short films, and on television networks such as ABC, NBC, Comedy Central, BIO, Lifetime, plus many more. Previous to being a Manager and a Talent Agent at Burn Down Entertainment, she assisted many high profile Managers, Agents and Publicists in the careers of Neil Patrick Harris, Johnny Galecki, Sarah Michelle Geller, The Four Tops, The Bee Gees, Meatloaf, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Guttenberg, The Cranberries Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Kenny Rogers, and Neil Diamond. Wendy is also a Recording Artist, Actress, Author and Music Producer all  giving her a 360-degree perspective of the industry.

Video Taped Auditions are happening more and more often. It is CRUCIAL you learn how to master the technology regarding this very important audition skill. This is one of the very best articles I have ever read on SELF TAPING and I thought I should share it with you. This was written by my friend JACK TURNBULL owner of Actorsite in North Hollywood. Jack is responsible for training and building more series regulars than any one in the industry. If you are looking for acting training for your child sign up for classes ACTORSITE.

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Video auditions are IMPORTANT and getting MORE IMPORTANT all the time. -  Jack Turnbull





Shooting your VIDEO AUDITION:

BEFORE YOU TAPE YOUR AUDITION, BE SURE TO PRACTICE YOUR SCENE AT LEAST 50 TIMES OUT LOUD! All of this preparation won’t help if you suck at your acting, so BE SURE TO PRACTICE IT OUT LOUD at least 50 times. Most scenes are just one to three minutes, so that means that an hour of prep will help you ROCK YOUR AUDITION! PREPARATIONS is the MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT!

1. BACKGROUND: Keep a simple background but DON’T USE WHITE. I like shades of blue and gray, but browns are great too! Keep it simple and not too busy, but not white.

2. CAMERA: Use your IPHONE or SAMSUNG phone. Be close to the phone for good sound, about 3 feet or so. Make sure you are in a room with curtains and carpet for better sound, they keep the room noise down. Don’t be 4 or more feet away, as the sound will be lost. Remember, on a film or TV  set, the sound recorder needs you to speak loud enough to record, don’t swallow your words thinking you are being emotional. Emotions are expressed, not suppressed in film/TV. If you use a camera, be sure you are close for good sound or use a separate microphone. I like the phones better because they have super microphones.

(There are many selfie stands  available at AMAZON)

3. TRIPOD: Use a SELFIE STAND on a table or mount on a tripod. Tons of these at amazon.com .  They are cheap and very effective.Five head light from Target…use 100 W CFL Bulbs.

4. LIGHTING: Use a huge window if you have one—no direct sunlight, only reflected light, or use a SOFT light source like the 5 head lamp at TARGET. Put 100 W CFL lamps in it and you have a super light source. Place it behind the phone/camera so it lights the face from the front, not the side. Or, if you wish you can order a softbox set like those shown here:
http://www.ls-photostudio.com/shop/lighting-kits.html

Sample audition framing….

5. Frame your audition in a head and shoulders shot, unless directed otherwise. Make sure you don’t leave a lot of space at the top of the frame. The top of the head should be close to the top of the frame.

6. Go right into your scene at the beginning. No photos, no title, etc. Go into your scene. Don’t try to be cute, it’s your PERFORMANCE they want to see, not a photo montage or other time wasting items.

7. The READER should stand 3-4 or more feet BEHIND the camera, so your eye line as you read with the reader is good. The reader should NOT be closer to the camera than the Actor, because their voice will be too loud. Actor should look at the READER for the audition, and at the camera for the SLATE. You should be able to see the actor full face but not looking into the camera, but at the reader. Don’t look at the camera during the audition, only in the slate.

8. USUALLY you SLATE at the end of the scene. SPEAK SLOWLY AND CLEARLY. Usually they want NAME, CONTACT INFORMATION, HEIGHT, CONTACT INFO and sometimes they request other information.  If they want a full length shot in the slate, scan the body up and down quickly! If you want to put a slate card with your contact information, this is when you put it up. Some auditions, they want you to hold a paper with your info in the video, make sure it is clearly written and do a close of up of it.

9. NAME YOUR VIDEO: TITLE-ROLE-YOUR NAME. For instance, if the ROLE is SAM and your name is SUZY SMITH and the project is call ICEMAN, name your video  ICEMAN-SAM-SUZYSMITH.m4p. Use abbreviations if the title is too long.

10. If you are uploading or emailing, be sure to include your CONTACT INFORMATION in all correspondence. That would include your PERSONAL CONTACT if you are not represented, and your AGENT and MANAGER if the tape is for them. If it’s a personal submission like on Backstage or LACASTING, most agents and managers don’t want their info listed, so put your personal information. They can’t hire you if they can’t find you. You would be surprised to see the fantastic audition videos sent in without any contact info.

11. Casting likes uploads to sites where they can download the video if they like your performance and send it to the producers with their other videos. That’s why we recommend VIMEO or GOOGLE DRIVE for your uploads. You can post a comment if you have good luck with other services. I personally like YOUTUBE to view videos, but they aren’t easy to download, just the link.

SUPER! NOW ROCK YOUR VIDEO AUDITIONS!
All the best,

COACH JACK TURNBULL
https://www.actorsite.com/

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Produced by Robgraves Productions, Los Angeles

I also think every child actor who is starting out should have a Slate Shot, Personality Clip and a Commercial or Monologue like the one above uploaded on their Actors Access, Casting Frontier and LA Casting Accounts. To watch click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZkZRMcTXxc&feature=youtu.be

A 30-second sample like this gives casting directors a clear idea of your child's personality, the way they talk, look and speak. As you start submitting your child for different commercials, student films, short films and music videos - you can add these clips to your submissions to INCREASE your auditions.

Once you start getting work you can replace the monologue and commercial demos with actual footage from the jobs your child books. I have partnered with Robgraves Productions to create great HD demos to use with your child's submissions. $175 for 3 clips.  Please contact me to set up your child's session with cinematographer Kent Hargrave. (818) 203-6080 or wawentertainment@yahoo.com

See you on the Red Carpet!

Wendy Alane Wright
The Hollywood Talent Manager
WAW Entertainment
http:///www.secretsofahollywoodtalentmanager.com

What Happens If An LA Agent or Manager Wants To Represent My Child?

Every year acting/modeling showcases are also held throughout the country that bring in Managers and Agents from Los Angeles to see the kids. Showcases are also held in California where kids from out of state fly in to California to be seen by Agents and Managers here.

Daily I get asked by parents "what happens if an Agent or Manager from LA wants to represent my child? Now pay attention because this is critical info that many showcase companies won't tell you because they are too busy taking your money and preying on the stars in your eyes.

Typically here is the way it REALLY works. You either submit DIRECTLY to a Manager or Agent OR:

1) You will attend a showcase or seminar. 

2) Your child showcases their  talent by doing a monologue or commercial they have prepared.

3) If agents and managers are interested they will give your child a callback to see them again, typically on final day of the Showcase.

4) At the callbacks,  you will speak to the agents and managers one by one. Likely they will ask you if you plan to move to LA, or be in LA during pilot season for 4 months,? Or they will want to know if you will be coming to stay in LA for 4 months during episodic season September - November?

5) if you say no there won't be very much they can do for you as 99% of auditions will be in Los Angeles. Here you are thinking, I've heard they can put my child on tape for auditions. Well the truth about that is very few roles ever get cast by out of state tapes. More likely you may go on tape for  several projects and as casting gets to know the  children that tape, they will want to meet some of them in person when they come  to LA to stay for a few months.

Fyi kids on go on tape for bigger roles in Film and TV.
Commercials, Co-Star roles and smaller roles in films are always cast in person and THESE are the projects that typically hire new people like your child.

6) If you are serious about pursuing acting with your child 99% of TV and Film auditions take place in LA. So if you are  planning on being in LA for an extended period of time Agents and Managers will ask you to come back out and meet with them again, often to introduce you to other agents in their office. Some agencies make signing decisions as a team. If they like you enough they will sign a contract with you then.

7) You will be asked to create online profile with the casting websites; LA CASTING, ACTORS ACCESS and CASTING FRONTIER. You will most likely be asked to shoot new headshots that are appropriate for the LA market.

8) When you are here in LA for 3-4 months, they will be submitting you on projects. Maybe you will get some auditions, maybe you won't. Maybe you will book some jobs, maybe you won't. No one knows. Every agent and manager just takes a chance if they think your potential can make money for them.

Why do you need to be in LA for LA auditions? It works like this: An agent or manager sees a possible role that might be right for your child. They submit your child's picture. If casting wants to see your child they will ask you to come in with only 1-3 days notice. If you get a callback it could be the following week. Will you fly home in between? Your agent / manager will be submitting you every day- what if you get an audition this Tuesday and another one on Friday, then no auditions for 1 week and then another audition on Wednesday and a callback on Friday then no auditions for 2 weeks and then a callback the following week... are you planning on flying back and forth every week? No.

Agents and Managers expect you to be here for auditions they get you. And the truth is we don't know how many auditions you will ever get. Most people are not going to uproot their entire family for the possibility of having some auditions. People who do this are the ones who realize that their child is extremely special and want to pursue acting professionally for many years. They understand the best place to do that is in Los Angeles as there are more opportunities here, PLUS they have the financial means, or type of jobs which allows them to move here, or be here for extended periods of time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZDrHCst7ic

If you are planning on coming to Los Angeles for 3 months so you can get an Agent and Manager in Los Angeles who can also submit your child for projects here in California

There are 3 options of when to come:

1) Summer:  June, July and Aug

2) Episodic season: Sept, Oct, Nov

3) Pilot season: Feb, March, April

9) VERY IMPORTANT Whether you live here in LA, or wherever you live, acting is  skill that has to be mastered. You should always be working hard building your child's resume by doing student films, short films', webseries and theater. I highly suggest you read my ebook HOW TO BE A STAR RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE to learn the many ways you can build your child's resume and experience right where you live. You can find it at http://www.secretsofahollywoodtalentmanager.com

My company WAW ENTERTAINMENT talent management in Los Angeles is always looking for talented & beautiful kids ages 6-14 for Film, TV, Webseries and Commercials. If you live in Los Angeles or plan to be here for 2-3 months between Feb-July or Sept-Nov. submit Headshots, Resumes and a personality clip to wawentertainment@yahoo.com If I am interested I will contact you.

Please include: Photos of your child, age, height, weight, city and state you live in and a 30 second video of your child talking about something important to them. Sports, friends, school, food, movies etc. You can record the video on your iPhone, upload it to You Tube, mark video as unlisted and include the link in your email to us. If we are interested we will contact you. We want to get an idea of their personality. We look forward to reviewing your submissions.

There are vultures in this business preying on the dreams of parents and children who are entering show business. You can rely on me and my blogs to always guide you in the right direction. I would also like to suggest you get your information from these reputable sources as well: CHILDREN IN FILM, BIZ PARENTS and HOLLYWOOD MOM


Typically these showcases are all very expensive ranging from $2,000-$17,000 and there are LESS expensive ways to do this. Really those kinds of prices just make me see red. Instead read my e-Book "HOW TO BE A STAR RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE."  Spend $21 on the book and save yourself thousands of dollars - and learn how to submit your child to the EXACT SAME AGENTS AND MANAGERS at the expensive showcases. Don't get ripped off.

I have been to showcases to see kids and happen to ask parents... "So by the way, how much did you pay to be here?" I have heard $14,500 I nearly fell on the floor!!! The sad thing is the group of agents and managers at the big $$$ showcases are the SAME EXACT AGENTS & MANAGERS at the smaller $500 showcases in LA at places like ACTOR TRAINING IN LA or TALENT TRAINING AND PERFORMANCE STUDIOS (one of my companies) that take place several times throughout the year. A parent could fly to LA, with their child ($1,200) rent an apt for 1 month, (1,200) do four weeks of acting classes 3-5 times a day ($900) and pay for the showcase ($500) = $3,800 and meet the same exact agents AND get 10x better training.

OR they can simply send their kids headshot, resume and 1 minute personality clip to those agents by email (FREE) and if the agents or managers are interested, they can fly out to LA and meet with them.

BE SMART and INFORMED otherwise trying to get into this business can be very costly and get you nowhere.

You can download the eBook from here: http://www.secretsofahollywoodtalentmanager.com

For further information about Show Business read more of my blog posts and watch the 300+ Insider videos posted on my You Tube channel SECRETS OF A HOLLYWOOD TALENT MANAGER.

Wendy Alane Wright
WAW Entertaiment
WAWEntertainment.com
Secretsofahollywoodtalentmanager.com

People Don’t Support My Dream To Become An Actor!

Wendy Alane Wright is a Hollywood Talent Manager with WAW Entertainment. Her clients have appeared in numerous national commercials, movies, webisodes, short films, and on television networks such as ABC, NBC, Comedy Central, BIO, Lifetime, plus many more. Previous to being a Manager and a Talent Agent at Burn Down Entertainment, she assisted many high profile Managers, Agents and Publicists in the careers of Neil Patrick Harris, Johnny Galecki, Sarah Michelle Geller, The Four Tops, The Bee Gees, Meatloaf, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Guttenberg, The Cranberries Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Kenny Rogers, and Neil Diamond. Wendy is also a Recording Artist, Actress, Author and Music Producer all  giving her a 360-degree perspective of the industry.

People Don’t Support My Dream To Become An Actor!

Understand this: When people don’t support your dream to become an actor, it’s not because they lack confidence in you. It’s because they have fear of the unknown. They don’t know if you will be able to make a living at it and take care of yourself financially; something all people in a modern society have to learn how to do. Why? Because life is expensive and costs lots of money.

But if you face the truth and the facts about acting as a career it may make it easier for you to decide what to do. An acting career is the hardest career in the world to make money. Only 5% of actors make a living from it. If you want to act it has to be because you love acting more than life itself. It has to be because you feel more alive when you are acting than doing anything else. It has to be because you need it and you love doing the work. You love being an actor. (You won't know that until you do some acting in theater productions and in classes. So always start there.)

EXPECT...Did you hear that? EXPECT that if you are acting that you will have to find some OTHER WAYto pay the bills. Period. That's just how it is. Only a handful of actors get rich and famous. Ok? Maybe it’s you, maybe it’s not. Who knows? Even famous actors had NO idea it would happen to them. You can’t plan on it. It is a fluke like winning the lottery. You just act because you love it, even if it doesn't pay. So to make money while you are acing here is the best list EVER of flexible actor day jobs.

The key to success is to work hard at what you want in this life. There is nothing stopping you from working hard, making your own money, flying to LA or NYC and going to acting school at the Stella Adler Academy or the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute.

There is no reason you can’t go to any College or University, get your degree in Business, and at the same time take theater classes and do plays. There is no reason you can't make friends with students at local film schools then write and create your own webseries for You Tube.

You can be and do whatever you want to in this life. If you are willing to work hard and put the time and energy in...you will get results. Some will be great, some not so much. Sometimes you will win, sometimes you will fail. You just get up, brush yourself off and keep going. If you live your life following your heart and being true to who you are... you will be just fine. Believe in yourself because no one will ever believe in you more than you do or God does. And always remember your path on this planet is YOUR path. No one else's. Not your parents, not your friends or family. Just yours. They have their own.

Anything worth having is worth working hard to get. You will get out of it what you put into it. If you want acting roles you will have to work hard to get them. But nothing guarantees you will be a star. What it will guarantee is you will be an actor.
Do you think you become a Doctor by walking into a hospital one day and just say, "Hello, I am a doctor. Where is my patient?" No, Doctors have to go to years and years of school. Well Actors have to do years and years of acting classes, small roles no one has ever heard... of in tiny films, or in tv shows that get cancelled, or moves that fail, and commercials before they ever get noticed. 

But one of the main things you need to understand is that an acting career takes time to build. No matter where you live. Actors get successful over a LONG, LONG period of time and hard work. ALL of them. And most actors do not start out with connections. They build them as they go. The key to a successful career in acting is to do great work over time until people are talking about your work, recommending you for projects, and hiring you. Great acting rises to the top. Actors always have to be very busy building relationships with casting directors, writers, producers and directors. 

Simply put...there is no easy way to build an acting career.  Start at the beginning with training, training, MORE TRAINING along with live performances every chance you get.

Wendy Alane Wright
The Hollywood Talent Manager
www.secretsofahollywoodtalentmanager.com

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