How To Write A Great Cover Letter to Managers and Agents (This post has 10,225 views)

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.

 
Your 1st Meeting With A Talent Manager

You have talent. You know there is something unique and special about you and you want to share it with the world. Go for it! If you believe you are ready for a Talent Manager, start contacting us. I am always looking for people just like you to encourage, motivate and help in their careers. If you live in Los Angeles go to Samuel French Bookstore on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, or online, and get the book "Personal Managers" by Keith Wolfe and start sending out your headshots, resumes and cover letters. I often receive submissions from talent in the mail or by email. I look at all submissions that come in. I look at the picture first to see who is contacting me. I read the letter next, review the resume and watch or listen to the demo last.

SENDING PICTURES TO POTENTIAL MANAGERS
If a potential client contacts me with pictures taken in the living room or kitchen I am not impressed. They should know that a picture is worth a thousand words and the movie business is all about pictures. It shows me they don't understand that. Not a good first impression. If you have professional pictures great, send them. If not send pictures that show you off well, on a plain background. Not in front of a car, or from a distance hiking a mountain. Just an up close shot that shows your amazing personality, eyes, smile with nothing featured in the background. Don't wear a hat, or sunglasses. You are what is important. Go outside stand 5 feet in front of a plain wall and have a friend take some pictures of you smiling, being serious and having fun. Don't worry, if can send those if you don't have professional shots. Everyone has to start somewhere. But be aware, most managers are going to want you to be further along in your development before they would consider taking you on. So get into a great acting class, take some audition/cold reading classes and definitely take an actor marketing class or seminar first if you can. Dallas Travers offers great online marketing classes so wherever you live you can start to understand the business.

WHAT TO SAY IN YOUR COVER LETTER
In your cover letter be professional. I have received some really stupid cover letters. "I am from Aruba. I want to be in the movies with Will Smith. If you will do it for free I want you to manage me." Seriously? I've also seen, "Here is my headshot and resume." Yes, that was it.


These are ACTUAL cover letters I have received. Here is what NOT do.

AN EXAMPLE OF A POOR COVER LETTER

'I am currently under the instruction of Jeff Alan-Lee, who has trained the likes of Shia LaBeouf and Scarlet Johannson. I have been in desperate need for agent representation for a while now and have been yearning to work. Admittedly, on top of my acting talent, I am continually increasing in skill under Mr. Alan-Lee's instruction. However my talents do not stop at acting. I have a very nice voice and am more than capable of doing voice-over, as well as print. Whatever you need me to do, I can do, my acting skill is simply my most prominent though. If your agency represents me, I WILL BOOK JOBS. Thank you for considering me and I hope to see you soon. Marcus Simpey"

I see the word "desperate" and I am immediately put off. I see the guarantee of booking jobs and I know that nobody can guarantee that. If he says he can, then he doesn't understand how this business works and how many good out of work actors there are. I don't need nonsensical promises. I need down-to-earth professionals. He is not ready for me.

ANOTHER POOR COVER LETTER AND RESUME

"I am a young actress seeking representation, and I am very serious about acting and I hope you find interest in me. My resume and headshots are attached. I am still working on my reels but if needed ASAP please let me know! Caroyln Sheed"

Objectives
Film, Television, Media internship, Business Education
Lake High School (May 21, 2011)
HS Diploma
Currently attending University of Oklahoma

Experience
Extra for “Get Loud” music video
Assemblies of God National Youth Ministries (faf.ag.org)
Performed and competed in Small Sr. Vocal Ensemble category.
Competitive Cheer (April 2008-April 2011)
Excite Gym & Cheer (excitegym.com)
Competed and won 6 National titles for Large Sr. Level 2 team.

Skills
Highly reliable, strong administrative and organizational skills
Focused writer and photographer
Ambitious, professional, committed to excellence
Sociable, personable, can communicate easily with a wide variety of personalities Dance (Hip-hop, Jazz, Modern)

There are many things that make this a lousy cover letter. First, is this girl applying for a job? She mentions her objective for an internship, her business education and lists her strong administrative and organizational skills. I am an acting manager, does she realize that? At the same time she says "I am very serious about acting." However, there is no acting on her resume! I see cheer, dance, vocals, but no acting. She is in college so she is probably about 19 or 20 years old. In all her years, has she ever been in a play and actually acted? There are no plays in elementary school, high school, college or community theater. How serious about acting is this person, really? Where are the acting classes where she has learned to act? No, I won't even take the time to respond to this person. She may be very talented, but she has no idea who she is, what she wants or how to present to the industry. In this day and age of Google anyone can look up samples of acting resumes and create one.

The ONLY way either Carolyn or Marcus can overcome their lousy cover letters or resumes is if their Demo blows me out of the water. Their acting or singing has to be so good I am willing to drop everything and get them into my office before someone else snatches them up. 9 out of 10 times that won't be the case. But if it is, I will invest my time and teach them how to write a cover letter and create a resume because their talent is so strong it can sell itself. Don't bother sending in a demo that isn't your absolute best performance. Mediocre work on a demo just means you still need more training and local experience. Go get it.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF A GOOD COVER LETTER. Here is what you should do!

Hello,

My name is Mali Serez. I am looking for representation. Currently, I have a recurring role a series of Verizon Wireless commercials. I have also been cast as a lead in a new TV series "High Street Hills" and recently received a call back for the Steven King/John Mellencamp musical "Ghost Brothers Of Darkland County." I am training with Doug Warhit for cold reading and Judy Kain for commercials.

I have attached a headshot, resume, Actors Access and La Casting Links for your review. If you feel I would be a good fit for you and your company, I would like to schedule a meeting.

Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best,
Mali Serez

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What makes this cover letter work is that it is professional. No personal comments or pleading. It give me easy access to his video, pictures and resume. He also states briefly what he has been doing and is currently working on, showing me is is making things happen for himself. He has made a good first impression. But it all comes down to talent. Does he have any? If Mali doesn't attached a demo reel how do I know?

With today's high tech gadgets, artists can create great looking and sounding demos to present to managers. Why contact a manager without media? They need to see your eyes, the way you move and sound. If you are using your iPhone to create a demo make sure it is well lit. You don't want your media working against you. Keep it short and sweet and show only your best. Most artists know they need a website that showcases their talent, has pictures, demos and resumes to make it easy for reps and talent buyers to see all of their materials in one place. Amateurs typically do not have a website. A good manager will likely improve your website, but you have to start somewhere.

WHAT TO DO IN YOUR 1st MEETING
So let's say you get past the first contact and I like your headshot, resume or demo reel and you get a meeting! You should be prepared to talk about what YOU have been doing to create your career so far. If you are over 8 years old, I expect to hear that you have been doing theater in your community, at your school or college. That you have been taking acting classes and learning how to act. When you come in for your first meeting you should have energy. I want to see your personality. You should also be relaxed enough to be yourself. In our conversation, I want to hear what your goals are, where you would like to be in 5 years? What kind of roles you want to play if you are an actor. And if you are a singer you should be ready to sing live for me, and or have a tape or video of you singing that I can listen to.

People who say they want to be an actor but are not acting anywhere I do not take seriously. People who say they want to be a singer but are not out there singing anywhere I do not take seriously. A person who really wants a career as a singer or an actor will be sharing their talents whereever they can and not waiting for a manager or agent to create opportunities for them.

I get excited by everyone's dreams, but I take on clients who are already doing something on their own to make them happen. It's that kind of initiative that creates the energy to make things happen in this world. Even after an artist is a client of mine, they should be pounding the pavement to get their own auditions, find locations to sing, working with music producers, work with student filmmakers anything to gain experience, skill and express their craft. Yes, I will guide them in how to do that professionally and with focus, but the energy to propel forward needs to come from You!

Getting representation is a two-way street. You are interviewing potential managers as much as they are interviewing you. Who do they represent? Do they understand your type and how to best market it? Are they excited about your talent? Can they tell you what is unique about you, because that is what they are going to be selling? Do you feel comfortable with them? Make sure a they do not represent anyone like you. You want your manager to be pushing you for the roles you are right for, not other people. Ask if they have had success with their other clients, and if so, what? Are their clients getting out on auditions? Is the potential manager professional and do they present themselves well? Remember they are representing you. Your manager is one of the most important members on your team. They are a reflection of you and the choices you make about your career. They need to be able to communicate well with agents, producers and casting directors. Don't be afraid to walk away from any person or situation you don't feel right about. Go with your gut! Make sure you are clear about what they expect from you and what you expect from them.

So if everything goes well in your initial interview they will ask to represent you. Congratulations you now have a manager! You will be asked to sign a 2-3 year contract. There should always an out clause that states "In the event that you do not obtain a bonafide offer of employment from a responsible employer during a period of time in excess of six (6) consecutive months, during all of which said time I shall be ready, able, willing and available to accept employment, either party hereto shall have the right to terminate this contract by notice in writing sent to the other via registered or certified mail." This is a business relationship that can be severed if either party does not fulfill their end of the agreement. Have them explain the contract to you and answer any questions you may have. You also have the right to take the contract with you to review it and have someone else review it too. Remember managers work on commission only. They make 15-20% commission only from the work you do. You are never to pay upfront fees for representation.

Now that you have a manager be willing to work hard, be on time, be professional, take direction and get them all the top level media and marketing materials they need. A good manager will be doing everything they can to get you ahead. Enjoy that support. You are going to need it!

To help your manager you should be informed about how the business works. So you need to read this 110-page e-Book filled with insider information to help you become a working actor.

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Wendy Alane Wright Smith
Talent Manager
WAW ENTERTAINMENT
wawentertainment@yahoo.com

How Can I Get A Talent Manager?

You can get a Talent Manager in several ways. Here are three ways:
1) Attend Showcases for Managers.
2) Ask other actors who their Managers are and ask for a referral.
3) Purchase the book at Samuel Frenchs in (Hollywood or online, "The Right Manager" by Keith Wolfe and start making tons of phone calls and sending emails.

As a Talent Manager I receive submissions from people everyday who want to be actors. I say it this way because not all people who submit are actors. They want to be, but many of them aren't yet. They can't all act. I open emails and snail mail with pictures and resumes and it never ceases to amaze me how wanna be actors put so little thought into these all important 1st impressions.

I recently got a headshot from a guy in his 20's with a really great look. His cover letter to me said among other things, "I am currently seeking a commercial or theatrical agent for representation." First I am a manger, not an agent. But I can get him an agent when he is ready if I believe in his talent, like his attitude and choose to take him on as a client. Next I followed the link to his LA Casting site and there was no demo attached. Not a single piece of footage was attached to anything. So how can I see if he can act?

I called this actor and asked if he would please email me a demo from any of the 5 films on his resume, or a scene, or any footage he may have of his acting. He sent back a link that did not work when I clicked it. Great 1st impression. (Actors please check that the link works before you send it.) He also sent one audition video he did for the role of a thug. He said "Most of the projects I have done, I have not received copies for. I hope this suffices." Well it was something, so I watched the audition video.

I liked his look, I liked the body language, his facial expressions and reactions were good, but, his eyes did not mean anything he said. He was acting like he meant what he was saying, but he did not live it. He was not believable. He was not ready to meet an agent. Now I have to determine if I think there is enough potential for me to work with him to get him ready. So I flip over his resume to see where he has trained and there are only four items listed: MN TV & Film On Camera Technique, AIA Studios Scene Study Analysis, 310 Studios Commercial Workshop and Entertainment Studios Improvisation. Do you see the problem here?

There are no acting classes, he has not trained as an actor! Seriously? He did not study at any school for acting. He did not go to college and get a degree in acting. So where did he learn his craft and what makes him think he can act? That is like a Doctor that hasn't been trained as a Doctor. Would you ever hire him?

By looking at his resume, I can see exactly what he has been up to. He has simply taken a few 1 day workshops. Yet in his cover letter informs me he thinks he is ready to have an agent. I see this all the time. Listen up actors, I would never use my relationships and connections with agents to send them an untrained actor. I would look like a fool, and agents would hate me. "Actors" like this have no possibility of competing with trained actors. Agents trust my opinion because I only send them great actors, who are well trained and who are ready! My relationship with the agents I know are crucial I will never put these relationships in jeopardy for anyone. One of our top jobs as Managers is to weed out these kind of people for Agents.

Now here is where it gets funny. I have to call the actor and tell him he can't act. Well I don't say it that way. Instead I say, "I love your look, I think you have potential but I had a few problems with the scene I watched. Your energy was great, expressions wonderful, but I did not believe you. There was no truth in your eyes."

At this point, actors either get defensive and give me attitude, saying I don't know what I am talking about and thank me for my time. Good luck I say and believe me, I am grateful I don't have to waste anymore time with that actor. Or they accept the feedback. Maybe they even agree and ask what they should do. That is the answer I am looking for. That is a sign they may be willing to take my direction. Great because that is what our entire relationship will be based on. For this actor specifically, I will suggest a class with Margie Haber who teaches actors to "live" the moment and not "act out" the moment. That is what he needs. Will he take my advice? Who knows.

Another one of my jobs as a talent manager is to develop actors to get them to the point where they would be good enough for an agent. It is all about doing good acting work. You have to be a good or great actor. Period. If you do exceptional work people will notice. If you want to be an actor you primary goal is to become the best you can be at it. That requires lots of training with quality teachers. If you have a degree in college you are still not done training. You have only had institutional training. not professional training. Often recent college grads with Theater degrees in hand get bent out of shape when you tell them that. Thank you for your time they say. Listen up college grads professional acting training is the same reason Doctors have internships after their schooling. You need time to learn from working professionals. It is very different. If you don't take a managers word for it you will find out yourself.

So I spend some of my time weeding through tons of headshots to determine which actors are serious by the amount of training they have had, the plays they have done and the non-union work they have gotten on their own. I get excited by every actors dream, but it is only feasible for me to work with actors who are committed to being great actors, who have a positive attitude and are willing to take direction.

To find a Talent Manager that is right for you in LA go to Samuel French Bookstore on Sunset Boulevard or online and purchase the $12 book "Personal Managers" by Keith Wolfe. It lists most managers in LA and the types of clients they work with. Go through it with a highlighter and mark the ones that are open to submissions from your type. Hopefully you know what your type is, but that will be another discussion. Be careful selecting a manager. Managers do not have to be licensed like Talent Agents so there are scam artists out there. You should never pay upfront fees for any manager. Managers are supposed to take 15%-20% commission on what your book. Also, you should be given a list of various photographers and teachers to work with. Avoid managers who have a training, photo, representation package. They are often not legit.
When contacting a manager you really need to have your stuff together. Your cover letter should be professional. It should include your headshot, resume and demo reel. If you don't have a demo reel, it should include some kind of footage of you acting so we can get a taste of what you can do. Record a scene or a monologue on your iPhone and send that. Make sure it is well lit so we can actually see you. At least it is something. If you really can act, don't worry about sending professional film if you don't have it. We can tell by what you send where you are in your career. But if the acting is good that is all we care about.

Your headshot should be professional but if it isn't, we will look still review them. We are looking for energy, a sparkle in your eye, charisma, truth, for emotion in the pictures. My daughter's first headshot at 5 years old was a picture I took and she booked off of it all the time. It captured an attitude and an intensity she had. It cost $0. Once we have signed you and are starting to get you out on auditions, you will likely need new headshots then. So don't let that stop you from reaching out to a manager. We can help you get the right headshots when the time is right.

Always be polite and friendly. We don't owe you anything. There are thousands of actors right behind you looking for their chance every year. If you have an attitude of entitlement, or your ego proceeds you into the room, we quickly remove you from our presence. We are looking for humble, talented, hardworking actors. Confidence is fine, arrogance is not. It won't work on the set with directors and it won't work with your representatives. Our job as managers is to weed that kind of actor out so as not to burden the rest of our industry with them.

Be enthusiastic, upbeat and speak positively about yourself and your passion for acting. Don't worry, if you are lying, we will figure that out by what you have done on your resume. Which reminds me to tell you, keep your resume 100% truthful because sometimes we do call your teachers to see what they think about your acting ability. Remember, we are investing a lot of time into your career and we don't get paid until you are good enough to book the work.

It amazes me when actors say, "I don't know about paying 15% of what I make." Really? You don't make anything yet. Geez. And when you do start making money it will be because we spent 2 years getting you ready to.

It also stuns me when actors don't want to sign a 2 or 3 year contract. They say, "that's a long time, can't we just do 6 months." No we can't. Why on earth would I invest 6 months of my time developing you for free so you can walk away with advances skills and give some other representative the benefit of my hard work? Realistically, it takes 2 - 3 years to really start working in this town. That is what it takes to get you going. If I spend that kind of time with you, working for free, it is because I believe in you and believe that you have the ability to be a profitable actor in the future. I want a piece of that pie.

But, that is not the reason I do this job. I love discovering new talent and getting them on TV and into Films. Nothing makes me happier than to see actors succeed at their dreams. I love on that adrenaline every day. However, this is also a business and you are a mini corporation. I am one of your investors so of course I want to see a return on my investment. Oh by the way, I also have to like you personally because we are going to be spending a lot of time together.

Lastly, one of the biggest things managers look in an actor is the ability to take direction. If you sign with a manager, be prepared to take a lot of direction. We have a lot to do to get you ready for a career as a actor. We are like Med School for an actor. You will have to work hard, but by the time you have completed "my curriculum" you will be ready.

Well that's that. Now you see what it takes to contact a manager and make a good impression. The fact is MOST actors just starting out are NOT ready for a talent manager, because you are not ready for us to sell yet to casting directors. A manager helps makes an actor competitive with actors who have been here longer. I have a 52-Week Course "Talent Manager In Your Pocket - Step by Step Instructions For Every Actor's First Year." This course gets actors ready for a manager.

Learn all about my 52-Week Course and watch the VIDEO here:
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SIGN UP TODAY!

If you are ready to join the other smart actors who are receiving my 52-week program "Talent Manager In Your Pocket - Step by Step Instructions For Every Actor's First Year" and you are ready to take your career to the next level then...JOIN ME TODAY! The 52 Week program is only $295. For less than 1 month of acting classes you will receive one whole year of personal guidance from a Hollywood Talent Manager. By the end of the year, you will be miles ahead of the competition and I told you would happy with the price. It may go up in the next year or two, but for now that's what it is.

So if you are ready:

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Get 3 FREE chapters of my new book "Secrets Of A Hollywood Talent Manager." It includes my secret list of the most important casting directors that you should meet! Just sign up below.

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Wendy Alane Wright Smith
Talent Manager
WAW ENTERTAINMENT
wawentertainment@yahoo.com

Open Calls at Reputable Modeling Agencies (This post has 25,027 views)

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.

Open Calls at Reputable Modeling Agencies 
 
Are you interested in becoming Model?  I have compiled a list of some of the top modeling agents in Los Angeles to give you the days and times they have OPEN CALLS. An open call is a time specified by an agency for any prospective models (or those interested in becoming models) to show up and be considered for future work.

DO I NEED PROFESSIONAL PICTURES?
No. If you are just starting out, agencies don't expect you to  have professional pictures. But they do want to see if you are photogenic. Therefore:

1. Bring photos that are simple, nice headshots, smiling that show energy!

2. Bring a headshot, a full body shot, 
3. If you have pics in a bathing suit or fitness shot bring those.

4. Photos should be headshot size 8x10, or compcard size, or print 5x7 if possible.

If you don't have a portfolio, put your photos in a professional looking manilla envelope. If you have a portfolio REMEMBER TO BRING IT! Even though many bookers do not require a complete portfolio, others will look at your book during the interview.

MODELING SCAMS

Are unfortunate but they exist so be careful. NEVER give anyone money upfront! Legit modeling agencies do not charge up front fees for any reason. If you are asked for money up front, simply walk away. An example of a modeling scam is when an agency claims to have work but they are really trying to sell photoshoots and modeling courses to aspiring models. A legit agency will only make a profit from agency commission off the work they book for you.

SHOOTING NEW PICTURES

Once you have signed with a legit agency, you will likely be given a list of reputable photographers they work with and asked to shoot with one of them to get new pictures. This is standard. The cost will be between $300-$500. Your agent will choose shots from the session and have it compiled into  a ZED CARD, which is a compilation of 4-6 photos of you with different looks. Although a lot is done digitally these days, many agencies still use ZED CARDS. As a model, your pictures are your top priority. It is the one thing you should be willing to spend extra on. If your pictures aren't great, nothing else matters. 

GENERAL RULES OF THUMB

Models attending open calls be on time. Wear a minimum of makeup. Dress to impress. Leave your problems at the door! Meaning, come with a beautiful personality and warm smile.

MAILING PHOTOS

When an agency asks you to mail your photos, send your BEST three photos.  One full body, one great headshot, and bathing suit or athletic wear. Photos should be headshot size 8x10, or compcard size, or print 5x7 if possible. Be sure to send the photos "ATTENTION" whichever department you are wishing to work for. Example..."Attn: Women Division or Youth Division." Do not expect to get your photos back.

LA MODELING AGENCIES OPEN CALLS LIST

Bleu Model Management

8564 Wilshire Boulevard Beverly hills, California

Phone: 310.854.0088 Fax: 310.854.0033

            General Inquiries: Info@BleuModels.com

            No open calls. Website & mail submissions only.

 

Click Models

9057 Nemo Street West Hollywood, CA 90069

            Phone: 310 246-0800 Fax: 310 858-1357

            Info@clickmodelsla.com

            Open calls:

            Thursdays 3-4

 

Elite Model Management

345 North Maple Drive, Suite 397 Beverly Hills, CA 90210

            Phone: 310 274-9395 Fax: 310 278-7520

            lainfo@elitemodel.com

            No open calls. Website & mail submissions only.

1.   A serious interest in modeling, females age 14-22.

2.   Girls 14-15 years old, 5’7 – 6’0 tall.

3.   Girls 16-22 years old, 5’9 to 6’0 tall.

4.   You must ave parental consent if you are under 18 years old.

 

Ford Models

8826 Burton Way Beverly Hills, CA 90211

            Phone: 310 276-8100 Fax: 310 276-9299 

            Open Call for Women

Thursdays 4-5

Ages 12-25

Height 5’7-5’11

Bring snapshots with you. Professional pictures not necessary.

 

L.A. Models

7700 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90046

Phone: 323 436-7700 323 436-7777 Fax: 323 436-7755

             newfaces@lamodels.com 

             Open Call:

                  Monday – Wednesday 3-4 pm

                  Bring in snap shots.

                  Women: ages 13-24 years old, 5’8-6’0

 

Next Management

8447 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 301 Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Phone: 323 782-0010 Fax: 323 782-0035

        

Open Call:

Tuesdays 11-Noon

  

Q Model Management

6100 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 710 Beverly Hills, CA 91210

Phone: 310 205-2888 Fax: 310 205-6920 

la@qmanagementinc.com

Open Call:

Tuesdays 10 am – 11 am

Acceptng photo submissions by email for:

Women: 5’8-5’11 // 14 yrs. – 22 yrs

Men: 5’11-6’2 // 16 yrs- 22 yrs

 

Wilhelmina West

9378 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 310 Beverly Hills, CA 90212

   Phone: 310 601-2530 Fax: 323 468-2540

lawomen@wilhelmina.com 

No open calls. Website and mail submissions only. 

            Accepting photo submissions by email for:
            Girls 14 to 15 years old, height 5'7" to 5'11"
            Girls 16 to 22 years old, height 5'9" to 5'11"
            Men 15 to 35 years old, height 5" to 6'3"     

Nous Model Management

           117 N. Robertson Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90048

           Phone: 310 385-6900 Fax: 310 385-6910

           Email: modelinfo@nousmodels.com

           Website: www.nousmodels.com

            Open Calls 

                      Monday thru Thursday 3-4PM 

IMPORTANT: To the best of our knowledge this information is accurate, however, remember to call BEFORE you attend any open call just to confirm their days and times. Some of the days and time on our list may have changed, as occasionally agencies change the days and times of their open calls, so... confirm BEFORE you make the trip there!

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3. Getting Your Child Started In Show Business:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cuQObMMpe0

FUN VIDEO: Even the BIGGEST STARS had to start somewhere. Watch these secret audition tapes of top Hollywood stars including Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1bXgvHknO8

Hopefully this will get you started following your dreams or helping your children. Modeling and acting is a great profession and a lot of hard work. But anything you dream of is worth working hard for! If you liked this information and found it helpful leave a comment! I love to hear from new people. 

Subscribe to my Secrets Of A Hollywood Talent Manager TV You Tube Channel with over 200 FREE Videos! And follow me on Twitter @WAW_wendy

Wendy Alane Wright Smith
Talent Manager
WAW ENTERTAINMENT
wawentertainment@yahoo.com

How Long Will It Take To "Make It" As An Actor? (This post has 4,483 views)

How Long Will It Take To "Make It" As An Actor?    

Let me give it to you straight. Probably 7-12 years. If you stick with it.

This business is a process. In the 1st year, you will likely get some experience, do some indie films, non union films, (maybe a commercial if you have an agent). You will use the footage from those jobs to build an Acting Demo Reel. You will use the experience from those jobs to build your acting resume. You will take classes that increase your abilities in Auditioning, Cold Reading, Scene Work. You will take workshops with Casting Directors to start to get to know them, and they you. Auditioning is non-stop.

2nd year same thing. At this point you may be ready to attend Agent Showcases and start your search for an lower level agent.

In the 3rd year, you'll continue doing ALL of these same things. However, you'll add new footage on your growing acting reel, you will have solid experience on the set, in front of the camera and work as a professional actor. You won't be so "green" anymore, and this will certainly help you to compete with other trained and experienced actors for the same roles.

In the meantime, managers, agents and yes even you actors will spend most of the time trying to get you work and convince people that you can do the work. Auditioning is non-stop. You'll keep trying to get every part you can.

Guess what? In the 4th year you will still be doing the same things. But the size of your roles may be growing. Perhaps you have made a little bit of money. You may have done a guest starring role or two on a prime time television show like "Criminal Minds" or a Disney Show. You may have booked a really good part on a bigger studio film with actors you respect. If you are very lucky, you may have been cast on a series and worked for a whole season! Of course it also could have been canceled after season 1. But you keep doing the same things year after year; taking classes, meeting casting directors, building your contacts, your experience, your skills, your resume and auditioning 100 times to get 1 role.

Year five you'll do more of the same.

An actor lives this life because they can't be happy doing anything else. They never stop marketing themselves, improving their abilities and working to convince others that they are good. They enjoy the work when they get it but doing acting work is 25% of this business. The other 75% is marketing yourself to people who will buy your talent: Agents, Casting Directors, Producers, Directors, Advertisers, Studios, and Audiences.

No this not an overnight business. Like any business, it often take years and years to become established. And it is a business. An actor must learn how this business works and treat it like business. Read the IMDB credits of any working actor or star. You will likely see only 1 or two roles every year for the first 5 years. Work begets work. So the more known you become, and the more people who become familiar with and enjoy your work, the more work you may get. Looking at any actor's IMDB Credits will help you understand the process of building a career, it will show you how every star has built their career.

For example, let's take Kristen Stewart from the Twillight Trilogy. She was working for nine years before she landed the role that made her a star. Nine years of hard work, auditioning, rejection, getting roles, losing roles. If she had given up during any of those years you would never have heard of her. Look at her first 5 years below. She had one(1) role in each of those years. Just one for 5 years. Good thing she never gave up. A successful career in this business in a process. You have to do it because you love it.

2008/I Twilight
Bella Swan

2008 Jumper
Sophie

2008 What Just Happened
Zoe

2008 The Yellow Handkerchief
Martine

2007 Cutlass (short)
Young Robin

2007 Into the Wild
Tracy Tatro

2007 The Cake Eaters
Georgia Kaminski

2007 The Messengers
Jess

2007 In the Land of Women
Lucy Hardwicke

2005 Zathura: A Space Adventure
Lisa

2005 Fierce People
Maya

2004 Undertow
Lila

2004 Catch That Kid
Maddy

2004 Speak
Melinda Sordino

2003 Cold Creek Manor
Kristen Tilson

2002 Panic Room
Sarah Altman

2001 The Safety of Objects
Sam Jennings

2000 The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas
Ring Toss Girl (uncredited)

1999 The Thirteenth Year (TV movie)

Yes, there are the occasional flukes where you happen to sit next to a producer on a plane who thinks you are perfect for the starring role in his new tv show. But that happens ever so rarely. As you can see success in this industry takes lots of time. One small job after another, leads to more of them, leads to bigger roles, maybe leads to starring roles. Like any business, people hire people they know. So becoming known to the Casting community is a huge priority. Eventually when enough people have become familiar with your work, you may start getting calls with job offers. Yahoo! Every actor's dream.

If you have children who want to be in this business, it's important that you parents know how all this works, being that you will be heavily involved in her career. Without you they can't do much.

Talent is one part of this equation. A good team who believes in you and is committed to working for your success is another part. Determination, perseverance and a willing to always grow as an actor is another part. Staying positive, working hard, being professional and giving it everything you've got without any guarantees of what will happen next is the rest of it. You need patience and a thick skin because we hear 95 no's for every 5 yesses we get. The fact is approximately 50,000 new actors come to Hollywood every year try to navigate this business and within 3 years 98% of them go do something else.

You are talented right? Determined and focused. You have dreams. Surround yourself with hard working positive people to help keep you positive and on track. Do what needs to be done to achieve your dreams. Keep growing, having fun and enjoy this path. It's a hard road, but if you are a creative person, who loves to express and create, act and entertain, it is so incredibly rewarding.

How long will it take for you to make it? A LOT longer if you don't have these 110 page e-Books:

      

For a limited time.... when you buy 1 e-Book, 

you get the other e-Book for FREE.

As Always,

Break A Leg!

If you liked this information and found it helpful leave a comment! I love to hear from new people.
Visit and "like" me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/WAW-Entertainment/108466172546413 or follow me on Twitter @WAW_wendy

Wendy Alane Wright Smith
Talent Manager
WAW ENTERTAINMENT
wawentertainment@yahoo.com

HOW TO GET A RECORD DEAL... INSIDER SECRETS

Here is an industry secret or shortcut that may help you to get a deal. An unsigned band or artist that sells exceptionally well on the SoundScan report can walk into almost any record label in the country with the power to negotiate a very good deal. Impressive SoundScan numbers are like an automatic open door to labels and can actually result in the infamous “bidding war.” This is the surest way to get major label attention and a record deal.

The SoundScan is a report issued weekly that lists what every record in the United States sold last week and the total number of its sales to date. It is the most important report for record label executives because SoundScan results are reviewed and used to make major decisions concerning signed and unsigned bands. If a record’s sales go up on the SoundScan label execs are happy. If a record’s sales go down on the SoundScan the artist may lose their label’s marketing support until the record sales go back up.

There is a serious Catch 22 at work here though. Most labels won’t put much money in to promote a record unless the sales go up. But record sales can’t go up unless the label puts money in to promote the record. This is where independent financing can be crucial. Unfortunately, most signed bands /artists get caught in this situation and end up sitting around with a deal, a release and a dead end record.

Another incredibly important industry secret or shortcut is that a record needs to sell well on the SoundScan in only 1 specific region of the United States in order to get major label attention. Forget about selling your record all over the country, you don’t need to. Conquer one territory. An artist that conquers one territory will most likely be offered a deal,it’s good business.

The SoundScan is divided into several territories: Northwest, Northeast, Midwest, Southwest, Southeast, big cities, rural towns, etc. You can select 1 territory i.e. Florida/Southeast, and focus all your promotion and marketing efforts on that territory to develop high record sales. Label Execs will take notice of any record that is charting and generating large sales in say, Florida/Southeast and will unquestionably want to get in on and capitalize on the action. Bottom Line: If the label sees dollar signs $$$ you can bet you’ll get a deal.

Using this industry secret or shortcut there are only 3 steps you need to take to get a record deal:

Q. Step One -Capital

You’re going into business for yourself so the first thing you need is money or capital. Get an investor or invest your own hard-earned dollars and go professionally record your 2 or 3 best songs. Don’t worry about recording an entire album at this point. Let the record label pay for recording the album later when you get your deal.

With your capital, create a professional promotional package. Press your 2 or 3 songs on a CD with a CD label on the CD and a jacket inlay, album credits photos and/or artwork. Also, create professional marketing materials, including postcards, a poster and assemble a Press Kit which will contain the CD, professional photos, a bio, and gig reviews, if possible. Make 500-1,000 to start. Include your website/webpage address on everything.

Q. Step Two - Promotion

In real estate it’s location, location, location! In the Music Biz it’s Promotion, Promotion, Promotion! Promote and sell that record. MC Hammer sold his records out of his trunk and Metallica sold records at lives shows, both times record execs came sniffing.

Your only goal is to promote your record to radio and the public to get them to buy it and drive your SoundScan numbers through the roof! Quickly look at the word Music Business: Music is one 1/2 of the equation, business is the other. The better you are at business the more successful you will be. Madonna is an incredible business woman and the master of self-promotion, probably the greatest of all time. Self-promotion is crucial to the success of your career.

Here are the 10 ways you can begin to promote your record:

RECORD STORES

1) Visit record stores and give them copies of your record to sell on consignment. If they sell, the store will ask for more. These sold records will be reported to SoundScan. Contact CD Baby, CD Now or Amazon.com for information about selling your CD on their sites.

2) Do in-store performances at record stores for free, see if they’ll hang your poster.

PERFORM LIVE

3) Play every Club and Festival you can throughout your target market. Plaster your poster around town to promote these gigs. Collect a mailing list, physical & E-mail addresses at your gigs. Send out postcards and E-mails to keep your fans updated on your upcoming shows.

4) Sell CDs at your own shows. Make sure you get a SoundScan sheet and record all sales and report it to SoundScan. Those sales count!

WEBPAGE

5) Create a professional Web page containing your bio, photos, press coverage, the dates of your upcoming shows and most importantly samples or MP3’s of your music. Whenever talking about your band refer all contacts to your webpage, especially booking agents, managers, radio people, promoters and reporters.

RADIO

6) Hire an independent record promoter and/or visit every appropriate radio station and convince DJ’s and Program or Music Director’s to play your CD. Give them your Press Kit. Do in-store performances at radio stations for free.

TV

7) Perform live for local television wherever possible. Get exposure!

8) Contact the Music Director of every show on that station and offer your music for free for use on any of their programs.

PIGGYBACK

9) Contact managers and local promoters and open for name bands or local bands performing in your target market. Becoming the opening act for another local band lets their record company pay for all the promotion, radio spots, flyers, posters, etc. that advertise your band on the bill.

THE PRESS

10)Contact all local newspapers and magazines and invite the press to review your CD and/or attend your shows for free. Arrange as many magazine and newspaper interviews as you can. If you can afford to, hire a publicist!

That’s it. It’s simple. Once your CD is recorded and your press kit is in hand, all you need to do now is to focus on promoting your record. Your goal is to generate as many units sold as possible. This whole process could take 1-3 years so be patient and don’t give up. Overnight successes are possible, but rare. If you are serious about a getting a record deal you need to prove to the label that you are an investment and a risk worth taking. Solid SoundScan numbers speak loud and clear.

Q. Step Three - Call Labels

Contact labels and tell them about your SoundScan results. Tell them how many CDs you've sold online on your FB page or Cd Baby or any number of online retailers. If you are selling over 15,000 CD's go ahead and arrange meetings with all interested labels. Congratulations!

So that’s all there is to it! Now you know a few industry secrets and shortcuts. You are armed with information that may make all the difference between you having a successful start in the music industry or being just another wannabee recording star.

Follow these shortcuts and you will have record execs opening their doors to you and serving you a deal on a silver platter.

If you are serious about getting a deal you have to be willing to work hard for it, but these secret shortcuts can make it a lot less painful!

GOOD LUCK!

If you liked this information and found it helpful leave a comment! I love to hear from new people.

Subscribe to my Secrets Of A Hollywood Talent Manager TV You Tube Channel with over 200 FREE Videos! And follow me on Twitter @WAW_wendy 

Wendy Alane Wright Smith
Talent Manager
WAW ENTERTAINMENT
wawentertainment@yahoo.com

The Real Differences Between A Talent Agent and a Talent Manager (This post has 32,539)

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.

What is the difference between a Talent Manager and a Talent Agent?

Acting can sometimes be a confusing profession to those just starting out. There are so many unwritten rules. However, going into an acting career armed with knowledge will help minimize the confusion and maximize the success. Many beginning actors mistakenly think that “talent agent” and “talent manager” are two names for the same job. Actually, they are very different, but in a similar way. The best way to explain the differences is to tackle the job responsibilities separately, giving actors a good idea of those differences.

TALENT AGENT
A talent agent works for a talent agency where they use their contacts to arrange auditions for the actors represented by the agency. An actor should never pay a talent agent up front for auditions or representation. A legitimate talent agent should receive a 10 to 15% commission only from the work they find the actor. A talent agent should never receive any percentage above fifteen percent. Actors need a talent agent to survive. A talent agent is able to provide an actor with auditions they would not otherwise know about. Without the appropriate industry auditions, an actor’s career will go nowhere. When securing a talent agent, actors should seek talent agencies franchised with The Screen Actors Guild (SAG). This means the agency and its agents have signed a contract agreeing to follow the rules regulated by the actors union.

Agents spend most of the day on the phones, looking through the “breakdowns” (a daily listing of all the acting roles the studios/casting directors are seeking) and submitting pictures to casting directors, hoping to get you in on an audition. If an agent works hard for you, they may be able to get frequent auditions for you. This is a good thing because the more acting auditions you go on, the better chance you’ll have of getting a part. Agents also negotiate contracts and how much money you get if you do get an acting role. However, most of the days are spent trying to get you the audition.

There are many other factors that can determine you getting the role. Do you fit the part? A great headshot and having a good resume is most important. In any occupation you must have some experience in order to get a job and the entertainment business is no different. Having an agent on a “higher level” may determine you getting the role over another actor just as talented as you. But you will have to work your way up to the higher-level agents. In fact, 99% of new actors are not even considered by these “A” Level agencies because they mostly handle the big stars. It is very well possible that one of these agents will approach you one day. I say, “approach you” because
the majority of the time these agents cannot be acquired. They seek you out. Of course, you’d have to be out there in film or television doing something notable in order for these agents to approach you. Most actors seek representation from agents on the B and C (and sometimes D) levels.

TALENT MANAGER
A talent manager’s focus is more on managing an actor’s career than with arranging auditions. Talent managers keep in close touch with talent agents to ensure a shared vision for the actor, but a manager stays mostly on the management end of the actor’s career. Sometimes a talent manager may set up an audition for an actor, but that is not their focus. A talent manager will not guarantee auditions for an actor. Securing auditions is a talent agent’s job. A talent manager handles public relations, business matters, and helps to make a career plan and keeps the actor on a path toward success. Most actors cannot juggle the acting demands as their fame and careers grow, interviews, and appearances that come with a prominent career. That is where a talent manager comes in.

Talent managers invest a great deal of time and energy into an actor’s potential,
and into a long-term career for their clients, long before the actor has a track record of booking consistently. They typically work with their clients over a period of a number of years. They tend to genuinely care about their clients, almost like a family, and protect their clients from the harmful situations that may be encountered in the dog-eat-dog world of show business. A personal manager is the one who believes in and keeps fighting for a client when all others have given up. The following are some things that many talent managers may also do:

* Prepare talent for meetings with potential talent agencies.
* Arrange introductions to agents.
* Help talent decide on a talent agency for representation.
* Advise talent on acting classes and coaching.
* Help talent choose a good photographer and pick out headshots.
* Promote talent to industry professionals to try to help talent get auditions.
* Prepare resume or advise talent on preparation of a resume.
* Help make any and all decisions related to talent’s career.
* Answer questions on anything related to a career in show business.

Talent managers make sure that actors are accurately listed on IMDB, Actors Access, LA Casting and that an actor’s membership is current with SAG-AFTRA, and other collective guilds or unions; Managers determine an actor’s most marketable type and the kinds of projects on which an actor is most likely to find work; Managers will advise actors on their image, resume format and content, headshots, acting classes, demo reels, websites, personal appearance and overall career direction.

Some talent managers are very hands on and give very specific instructions on every little step that you make in the entertainment industry, including exactly what acting teacher and coaches to use, workshops to attend, what photographer to use, where to get your haircut, and so on. Others have much more flexibility and only give you suggestions for these things. Managers are more or less the quarterback of the team (actor, manager, agents), setting a direction, telling the actor what they need to do to compete -- and giving them the bad news in terms of what they cannot do.

Managers take more of an interest in promoting, cultivating and marketing their actors. Managers will help actors understand contracts, compensation, billing practices, safety, and speak on your behalf when necessary. Personal mangers act as liaison between their clients and theatrical agents, other professionals in the entertainment industry, and the general public. When you have problems on the set or in a job an actor should always contact their manager, not their agent. It the managers duty to coddle, mold, advise and generally speaking, smother their clients with individual care, attention and at times emotional support. Managers have been known to deliver your favorite sandwich to the set if it makes you feel better.

For most performers, the reason they want a manager is because they think the manager will find them work in the industry. But in California, it’s actually illegal for anyone other than a licensed talent agent to procure of offer employment to actors, or others rendering professional services in motion picture, theatrical, radio, television and other entertainment enterprises. California Labor Code §1700.4. So if you think the manager is going to get you work, they are not.

The manager’s job is to guide and advise your career. If you haven’t been able to get an agent yet, the manager will guide you and help you become as marketable and attractive to talent buyers and agents as possible. When the manager feels you are ready to meet with agents, they may help you get an agent. Further, they help manage the artist's personal and professional life in a way that allows the artist to focus on creative productivity. Just as with talent agents, an actor should never pay a talent manager up front or for representation. Talent managers take a higher percentage of an actor’s earnings than a talent agent does.

Typically, a talent manager receives a fifteen to twenty percent commission.
The differences between a talent agent and a talent manager vary, but their responsibilities are geared toward the same goal… advancing an actor’s career and getting the actor more acting jobs so the actors makes more money. A good manager will help shape the direction an actor goes so as to generate the most revenue. The bottom line is that when an actor succeeds and gets paid, everybody gets paid. Both talent agents and talent managers will work hard to make that happen.

A manager is the artist's representative, and acts as liaison between their clients and both the public and theatrical agent, publicists, label, studio, publisher, talent agency, touring personnel, attorneys, business managers, and other professionals and anyone else associated with the artist's business. A manager works closely with the artist's publicists and stylists to create and maintain the artist's image. Depending on how hectic the artist/business schedule is, we also manage aspects of the artist's/business owner’s personal life such as hiring household staff, finding contractors, hiring doctors, nurses, personal assistants.

From simple suggestions, to complex negotiations, to long term career plans, a manager lives the artist's career every day behind the scenes. The manager's commitment to and involvement in the artist's career is one hundred percent. The personal manager is the driving force breaking through the barriers of frustration and difficulty so often encountered in the entertainment industry.

Personal managers have the expertise to find and develop new talent and create opportunities and develop marketing strategies for those artists which they represent.

The Bottom Line for Actors: Both talent agents and talent manager can be very important to the success of your career in entertainment. An important step to building a healthy and successful career is to understand the difference between the two.

WATCH THIS VIDEO: The Difference Between An Agent and Manager 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2HpkRp4lHQ

And READ this wonderful article in Backstage written by my friend Matt Newton: http://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/backstage-experts/agents-vs-managers-which-one-right-you/?utm_campaign=Expert%20Posts&utm_content=10613332&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook


ALL NEW ACTORS SHOULD READ THIS BOOK for step-by step instructions to get working in show business. To buy click HERE

Wherever you live in the United States, or ANYWHERE in the world this 110 page e-Book will teach you how to get on TV and in Films. Buy one, and get the other e-Book FREE!  

(for a limited time)

 

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Several times a year I offer a workshop called, “The Winner's Circle" for brand new actors which will help you begin to understand the business and start to develop a plan of action for your success. I teach it along with several important industry friends of mine including a top Theatrical Agent, Commercial Agent, Casting Director, Headshot Photographer, and a Working Actor. You will learn so much information in this workshop from top people in the business who are all committed to your success! I have been coaching actors for years, and I know new actors need a mentor and professional guidance, so if you are new to this business I highly recommend this workshop. It will give you the "inside" information you need and it will put you miles ahead of the hundreds of other newcomers that arrive in L.A. every year. At the end of this 4-hour seminar with us you will have a game plan for success. The cost is $179 and it's worth every penny.  

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CREDIT DUE: Above article is compiled from personal experience, and various websites including National Conference of Personal Managers (NCOPM) and Talent Managers Association (TMA).

Visit my website to get 3 FREE chapters of my e-book "How To Break Into Show Business; Secrets Of A Hollywood Talent Manager" and get on the mailing list for information about upcoming workshops, discounted classes and show biz resources. 

If you liked this information and found it helpful leave a comment! I love to hear from new people.

Subscribe to my Secrets Of A Hollywood Talent Manager TV You Tube Channel with over 200 FREE Videos! And follow me on Twitter @WAW_wendy 

See you on the Red Carpet!

Wendy Alane Wright Smith
Talent Manager
WAW ENTERTAINMENT
wawentertainment@yahoo.com