How To Get Your Kids Into Modeling and Commercials (This post has 96,625 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.

WE SPECIALIZE IN BREAKING KIDS INTO THE BUSINESS- DISCOVERING NEW FACES, GETTING THEM A COMMERCIAL AGENT AND INTO COMMERCIALS! At the end of this article you will have an opportunity to submit your child to my management company, if they fit the description below.

I learned years ago how to get kids into commercials and modeling with my own 4 year old. She was incredibly photogenic and had stunning eyes. She belonged in commercials and magazines, I felt and everyone agreed! I started like most moms do, in photo contests and then in beauty pageants. My kiddo loved dressing up in beautiful pink dresses that twirl and have 'sparkles.' (Moms you know what I mean) I chose a natural pageant called "Pretty Little Princess" which doesn't allow makeup and gives trophies to every participant. I thought that was a good way to get started, no competition, just fun. Then she did numerous pageants with a great organization called GOLD COAST PAGEANTS in California. This was a more competitive contest and she had her hair and makeup done for each one. She loved that! We had great experiences with both of these companies.

When she was 6, I decided to get her a a Commercial Agent. I shot some amazing pictures with my own camera standing in front of a beige wall behind our favorite restaurant. She was wearing a pink polkadot dress (of course) and I shot her from the shoulders up, close on her face so they could see her eyes. I submitted the shot to a handful of reputable modeling/commercial agents.(being a Talent Agent before, I knew who they were) They called to meet us and quickly we signed with a great agency. I got her a Work Permit, a Coogan bank account and soon my daughter was working professionally doing a Visa Commercial, Just For Pets print ad, Taco Bell print ad and a couple episodes of Toddler and Tiaras on TV. I also took her to on-camera commercial acting classes for kids with Judy Elkins and Kids Koaching classes with Tracy Martin. Now I am a Talent Manager and I do this for LOTS of kids!

Warning: Modeling and Commercials are not for everyone. If modeling is a hobby for your child, keep it that way and have fun. Kids gain confidence and poise and if your expectations aren't too high... they have a lot of fun. Also, there is a lot of structure to pageants. You know when, and where they are, and you are in control.

Becoming a professional model who works in commercials takes a lot of work. You never know when the auditions are, and you drive all over town for them. The work is very unpredictable and sometimes last minute. But if you don't mind that, and if you have a flexible schedule that allows you to take your child to auditions 2-4 times a week, or have someone reliable who can take them - then I can tell you how to get your child started in Modeling and Commercials.

SO LET'S GET YOUR KIDS STARTED IN MODELING AND COMMERCIALS
Start with 2 simple pictures. Send 2 pictures of your child to 5-10 local modeling/commercial kids agencies. They will contact you if they are interested in meeting with you. Or, if you are assertive, you could follow up and ask for an appointment. That's what I do. There are lots of reputable agencies. For LA go online and purchase the $12 book "The Right Agent" by Keith Wolfe. For outside of LA Google Modeling Agenices, or Talent Agencies. - Do NOT pay any up front fees to any agency, ever.  To find legit agencies in other parts of the country and world, the website NEW FACES has a great agency list.  Or, you Google and call every agency in 4 or 5 big cities nearest you.

DO I NEED EXPENSIVE HEADSHOT TO GET AN AGENT?
NO. You do not need expensive picture to initially meet with  agents. In fact, two regular snapshot pictures of your child will do for the submission process only; one close up and one full length. Make sure your child looks attractive, clean,  happy and has energy!! in both pictures. Shoot the pictures against a blank wall. Put your child in a bright primary color. No logos, no hats, no sunglasses. Just up close of their face, eyes, expressions. Agents wants to see their look and get a feel for their personality.

According to Kids In Commercials: "If your kids are under age 3 they grow and change very quickly so DO NOT have a lot of expensive pictures made for modeling or casting purposes. And DO NOT let a so-called agency tell you that you must have them. If your child is age 3 or older you can consider having better photos taken to show to agents, casting directors, etc. - especially if you intend to work in the more lucrative markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, Miami Beach, Orlando, etc.

Typically agents at kids modeling agencies as well as Casting Directors want to see kids looking like kids. DO NOT put any makeup on them, DO NOT dress your child in frilly pageant style dresses, DO NOT put cutesie bows in their hair, etc." (kidsincommercials.com)

Many modeling agencies have open calls - where people just walk in and they see everyone. For LA "The Right Agent" will tell you when those take place.  RPM Talent holds open calls for print only -ages 2 to 25 - on Thursdays between 2-4pm at 2600 W. Olive, 5th floor in Burbank, CA 91505. Call to confirm this is still their Open Call day: (818) 333-5150

"THE RIGHT AGENT" is an amazing resource that will also tell you which agents represent kids and who is currently looking for new clients. All the agencies in this book are reputable.

Once you sign with an Agent, YES they will need professional pictures. Agents often try to use any professional pictures you already have, but if you do not have pro pics, they will give you a list of photographers you can shoot some with. This is a standard requirement. Pictures are very important and are the only things Casting directors see when deciding whether or not your child should be called in to audition. Headshot sessions for kids typically run $200 and yes, that is standard.  I often work with two great kid photographers in LA Juls Meghil and John Cole. The images below were shot for $175 by John Cole, Here is his website: JCB IMAGES

For markets outside of LA - you need to take pictures with a headshot photographer, not a wedding photographer. Google local photographers in your area. Show them these images above and let them know this is what you need.

When shooting your headshots you need 3 - 6 different looks usually:
1. Happy with great big energy, teeth and smiling eyes -This is a called a Commercial Shot
2. A little more serious- this is called a Theatrical Shot

3. Trendy - Hip, cool, today's fashions  

4. Sporty (not pictured)
 (f.y.i. NEVER wear any logos on your clothes i.e Nike, justice etc.)

USE THIS LINK MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HEADSHOTS FOR KIDS

HEADSHOTS THAT "POP"

A good headshot is picture that "pops" to an Agent or Casting Directors. Something about it stands out from all the others they see. No one knows the formula for creating a picture that "Pops." it either does or doesn't. Therefore parents understand agents and managers may have you shoot again and again until your child has pictures that "pop" and get them called in on auditions. I was lucky, the first shot I sent them "popped" and the agent used my photo as her official headshot which she booked every job off of for the 1st year. Her next agent KSR, had her shoot again with Linda Vanoff.

UPFRONT FEES a NO-NO.
A legit agency does not offer classes, headshot sessions, or EVER take any money upfront. They simply submit your child to casting directors and only get paid if your child books and works the job. Typically they take a 10% - 15% commission on what your child earns. Agents and managers do not get paid unless the client works.

Once your new Agent looks at the proofs from your photo sessions, they will select 3-6 images they feel best represent your child and will appeal to Casting Directors. The selected pictures will be uploaded onto LA CASTING and CASTING FRONTIER, two of the online casting services all kid's agents use. You will have to join both of the sites, paying an annual usage fee. This is completely standard and legit. Agents use these online systems tools daily to submit your child's headshot to casting agents. The days of regular mailed in submissions are over.  Expect to pay a 1 year membership fee of $36 for Casting Frontier and $154 for La Casting. These are mandatory.

COMP CARDS Or ZED CARDS
In addition to creating 8x10 headshots of the picture your agent picks, you will also be required to purchase a Comp or ZED Card which has 4-5 pictures on 1 card that your child's agent will submit to casting directors.

WORK PERMIT

Next, your child will need a work permit from the State of California Work Permit - Dept of Industrial Relations  When you complete it, if you live in LA mail it to 6150 Van Nuys Blvd. Room 206, Van Nuys, CA 91401 (818) 901-5315. (In my e-book "How To Break Into Show Business; Secrets Of A Hollywood Talent Manager" there is a list for every state.)

COOGAN ACCOUNT

Your child will also need a COOGAN BANK ACCOUNT. No one will hire a child unless they have this. It is a bank account that freezes the money until the child is 18. ALL employers of children are required by law to directly deposit 15% of the child's earnings from a job they work into their Coogan account.

Once you have signed with an agent, have all the legal paperwork in place, your agent will start sending your child out on auditions. Sometimes your child's audition will simply be to throw balls in the air, jump around and look happy. Other times the casting director will give them something to say, repeat, read outloud, or may ask them questions so they can see your child's personality.

Jackie Reid says...

Jackie Reid owns and operates L’il Angels Unlimited, a talent management company, which specializes in young actors for placements in film, television, theater, commercials, voiceover, and print media. She works extensively with agents in New York and L.A. She understands what it takes to support young actors because she is also a stage mom to two children, one of whom currently plays Sinjin on Nickeldeon’s hit series "Victorious."

Jackie says there are 3 Easy Ways to Prepare Your Child For An Audition:

1. "Talk to your child in advance about the audition product, especially if it is a commercial. If your child has an audition for a mayonnaise brand, then you can be sure the casting director will ask your child if they like mayonnaise. Ask them this question BEFORE going on the audition. It will be a waste of everyone’s time to have your child scrunch up their face in disgust and say, "NO." Talk to your child about what foods they eat with mayonnaise. The child who books this job will be the one who walks in the room and says “I LOVE MAYONNAISE!!!! I eat it on sandwiches and French fries and veggies and I even tried eating on a cookie once!! Every client is looking for the person with enthusiasm for their product.

2. Connect with the casting director. Usually upon walking into the room, the casting director will ask your child a question or two to see their personality. Practice questions in the car on the ride to the audition. How was school today? “School was so fun! I made a volcano in science class, and I played volleyball in gym, and I had a math test. But I don’t think I did too well. I got a 95 on my spelling test though!” is a lot better answer than “OK.” Your child is showing their personality and that they are not shy or introverted.

3. Remind your child to have fun! Smiling, happy relaxed kids are the kids who work. When they come out of the room, hug them. Tell them did a great job and go have some ice cream. Every person in this business hears more no’s than yes’s. Keep the whole experience fun, and don’t dwell on what they could or should have done and said. Auditioning should be a positive experience, and it’s your job as parents to keep it positive and fun."

I agree 100% with Jackie. Keep it fun. Don't yell at your child or show that you are disappointed if they mess up or hide from the casting director. They are just beginners and this kind of work is not for everyone. Work with them, but if they don't want to make the effort, find another activity they will make effort for like sports, or art. If this is something YOU want for you, go ahead and join a theater group in your town and make your splash. Get your own creativity out and let your children off the hook. I would also add, get your child into an on-camera audition class just so they become familiar with the process, the camera, and are less intimidated in the audition room. Practice is always helpful. Weist Barron Hill offers great on-camera class for little kids, children and teens.

REJECTION/BOOKINGS
Let's say Fisher Price needs one child for their new commercial. Casting Directors will list the announcement and describe the type of child they are looking for. About 350 pictures of kids will come into the casting director's office. Out of that, about 100 kids will be called brought in to audition. And from that one will be hired. So you can see there is a lot of rejection. They way to handle that with your child is NOT to make a big deal about it. Go in, have fun, act, play and go home. Let it go. If you get it, you get it. If you don't, you don't. It's a big deal if you get an audition. They are very hard to get. So every audition is an opportunity for your child to get better at auditioning, become more comfortable and familiar with the process.

You Never Know Where An Audition Will Lead

Here is an interesting story from Talent Manager Jackie Reid. "My son was given a last minute audition for a television show that had not yet aired. The audition was for one line in one episode. Mikey had a guitar lesson scheduled at the same time, and I thought about passing on the audition. It was only one line in one episode on an un-aired show that I knew nothing about. If I cancelled his music lesson, I still had to pay for the lesson. Ninety-nine percent of me wanted to cancel, but the one percent of me that said, “Don’t pass up any opportunity” won out.

Mikey went on the audition and booked the role. The role was for a character named Sinjin and the show was Nickelodeon's "Victorious." As Sinjin, Mikey appears in almost EVERY EPISODE of the show’s run, and "Victorious" became a multiple Emmy-nominated show and one of the most popular children’s shows to air on television.

The point is you never know! If I had passed on this, Mikey would have missed out on being on this amazing show, the great relationships he made with the cast and crew, and the invaluable lessons he learned on comedy, stunts, acting, and life, along with so many other things.

If your agent or manager gives you an audition, go on it! It doesn’t matter if you think you are too tall or too blonde or too fat or too good to do one line. You never know where any opportunity will take you. My son is living proof of that.

If your agent/manager has submitted you, and the casting director gives you a time to be seen, don’t waste the opportunity! Cancel that music lesson, take an aspirin to get rid of that headache, just do whatever it takes to get yourself in front of that casting director. Because you never know! - Jackie Reid

I too have had a child in the business. My daughter was a model and did commercials and print. That's how I became a manager. I had her signed to both Howard Talent West and KSM in her career. Here she is in a Print Campaign she did for Montage Hotels-

LIST OF LEGITIMATE COMMERCIAL AGENCIES FOR KIDS

Here are some legitimate California Talent agencies that represent kids for Commercials and Print:

Howard Talent West
Clear Talent Group (CTG)
Coast To Coast Talent
Jaime Ferrar Agency (JFALA)
Kazarian Spencer Measures (KSM)
First Class Talent
Media Arts Group
Osbrink Talent Agency
Jackie Lewis LB Talent Agency


There are Major Markets for modeling; if you live in or near New York, California, Illinois, Texas, Georgia or Florida it makes it easier to go on castings as there are more child modeling agencies in these states and much more work - especially in major markets such as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Miami, Miami Beach and Orlando.


So there you have it! All you need to get started. These steps above are all pretty easy. Don't be overwhelmed. You just do them one at a time. This will certainly get your child started on the path to a professional career in modeling.

WAW ENTERTAINMENT CLIENTS
If you want to get your child into Commercials I can help you. I am looking for energetic, happy, well behaved, positive, outgoing children who listen and can take direction. (no moody, shy, or difficult kids who feel its their way for the highway!) Parents it is MANDATORY that you can commit to getting your child(ren) on auditions 3-5 times per week and working your entire life schedules around this business, because auditions come up fast, sometimes with an hour notice. And Parents you must not approach me with a know it all attitude, or feel your kids is better than anyone else. No matter how cute your kid is, it is the same chance for all kids and only the ones with the right look, at the right time, with good behavior and easy going parents will get the job.

I am an expert at getting kids into this business. My WAW Clients have auditioned/and or booked these COMMERCIALS among others; 
 

My Little Pony, Slip N Slide, Megabloks, X-Box, Nintendo, Pediasure, Burger King, Toyota, Nike, Mattel, Sea World, Little Caesars Pizza, Mega Toys, Old Navy, LG Smart, McDonalds, Chevron, Play Station, Mathnaisum, Taco Bell, Bose, Uniqlo, Honda, Panasonic, Uno, Red Robin, Godaddy.Com, Adidas, Visa, Natural Sunscreen, Home Depot, Intel, DNB Bank, Men's Speed Stick, Payless Shoes, Microsoft, Charter, Puma, Sears, Coca-Cola, Six Flags, Disney, CISCO, Sprint, Devry, Interval, Honda, Peachtree Financial, Dodge Dart, Boeing, Olive Garden, Samsung C22, Kia, Humulin, Ford, Tide, Buick, New Castle Beer, Spin Master, Burlington Coat Factory, Walmart, Aeropostale, Google Nexus, Verizon, State Farm, and more…as well as short films, student films, TV shows music videos, webisodes and feature films.

Your kids can too. You just need to know what to do!
WATCH MY ADORABLE CLIENT CHASE MOORE IN THIS OSMO COMMERICAL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbwIJMz9PAQ

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**FOR PARENTS LIVING OUTSIDE OF LOS ANGELES**

WATCH THIS VIDEO: Are Talent Showcases a Scam?

HERE IS HOW TO GET YOUR CHILD STARTED IN THE BUSINESS IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN LOS ANGELES


The BEST way is to get professional guidance from me, an industry pro with 25+ years experience is to read my newest e-book, "How To Be A Star...Right Where You Are." Buy it for $10 HERE.

It was written for parents just like you with talented kids who live outside the LA Market and have more limited opportunities. This book will shed tons of light on real things you can do for your child that you wouldn't even think of, or know how to do. It's a MUST-READ. A lot of parents "SAY" they want to get their kids into the business, but they are not serious about it.  They spend years thinking about it and procrastinating because they don't know what to do, or how to do it. They are NOT your competition. When you read this book you WILL know what to do and how to get your child ahead.

This e-book will teach you:

• How to find your kids professional acting jobs near you.
• How to audition for big TV shows or Feature Films (even when you don't live in LA)
• How to meet casting directors, writers, producers or film makers right where you are.
• How to get your kids cast in short films, commercials, student films and webisodes (from where you are)
• How to find a good kids agent right where you are.
• How to find the right acting classes for kids to impress casting directors.
• How to get a great LA Style Headshot right where you are.
• How to create a professional resume. 
• How to Self Tape for mainstream TV and Film roles.
• How to submit your child to legit paying TV, film and theater jobs ONLINE!
• How to create a great demo reel 
• If you are not relocating to a big city e-book "How To Be A Star...Right Where You Are." will teach you how to find local modeling and commercial agencies near you, and so many more insider tips from The Hollywood Talent Manager. 
• Plus this book will give you access to me through a special code for discounted Skype conferences and email questions!

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***PARENTS:  HOW TO SUBMIT TO US IF YOU 

LIVE IN LOS ANGELES****

HOW TO SUBMIT TO WAW ENTERTAINMENT IF YOU LIVE IN LOS ANGELES
I invite you to submit your children to me at WAWentertainment@yahoo.com. I sign kids that live in LA. They must be very beautiful, very funny, very animated or very unique looking. I am not looking for regular kids. I am looking for extra ordinary kids. Kids in grade school should be in the gifted or gate program or honors program. Send several photos, headshots if you have them or snap a few yourself. They do not have to be professional for me to take a look at them. In your email, please include their age, (must be over 5), and tell me a little about their personality, hobbies. NO PHONE CALLS. If I am interested in meeting with you and your child I will contact you.


IMPORTANT
ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS: I've worked with a lot of child stars over the years from the early stages of their careers. I have 25+ years experience in the business as a manager and an agent. I help parents all over the country understand how to get their kids started in the business.  If you want to learn what to do... read my e-book for PARENTS called "Breaking Your Kids Into Show Business; Secrets Of A Hollywood Talent Manager." Join the other 74,000 parents who purchased this book because they realized this e-book is a must-read for every single parent who is seriously considering putting their children into this business. Parents want to PROTECT their child, AVOID being scammed, keep from wasting money. This e-book will help keep your child safe and help you get your child get on TV, in commercials and films. Read what other parents are saying below. - Wendy Alane Wright

$11 YOU CAN BUY IT HERE NOW:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=L48GDATKXZDGG


What parents say about Wendy's e-book:  

"Hi Wendy, I just wanted to thank you for your e-book.  I have such a better understanding of what is to come and what is expected of both my child and myself. Avery has gone through 2 of the 3 stages at landing a talent agent. That is because of your expert advice!! We go next week for a face to face meet! We are super stoked and we truly appreciate you and your passion for helping pass along advice to the "newbies"!!! Thanks again Tara And Avery:)

Wendy I wanted to thank you for what you are doing for actors (and their parents) by sharing so much wisdom in your e-book. As a mom, I find this new phase of Ali's acting career daunting. I wasn't sure quite how to proceed, but recently as I've found you, I am beginning to feeling more confident to help Ali in her journey. I feel like this is a fantastic starting point, because my biggest fear is basically the unknown, and not wanting our money to be drained quickly. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for being willing to guide people through this process. - Lisa and Ali Abler

I would like to thank you again Wendy Alane Wright for your e-book. It's helping me and I'm sure others get to know the world of the entertainment business. My son Eli has booked 3 modeling campaigns with Baby Kuu, 15 Williams Street NYC advertisement, the cover of Time Out Magazine Kids, and he loves it. I'm glad that I came across you Wendy, because you speak very clearly to people like me who have tons of questions. You answered questions I didn't know I had until you spoke about it. - Sheba and Eli Castro

"Wendy thank you for all these resources you have provided for us (YouTube videos, Blog and the e-Book). You are the manifestation of my 'Law of Attraction' because I stumbled upon your videos as I was searching, mostly unsuccessfully, for a clear and reliable answer to literally all those questions you answer on your You Tube videos and in your e-book.  I have been hooked since. THANK YOU A MILLION!" - Deandra, mom.

Wendy I am following your direction 100%. It helps more than anything I've ever come across and I don't think I'll ever be able to show my full gratitude. I just landed a leading role in a short film for team that will be participating in a large film festival in my area! I have such high hopes for my future all because of you! You're the best Wendy - Sage Balcom Age 16 


$11 YOU CAN BUY the e-book HERE NOW:

READ THESE GUIDELINES FOR MORE SUBMISSION INFO TO WAW: http://wawentertainment.com/Submissions.html


WATCH THESE HELPFUL VIDEOS on my YOU TUBE CHANNELhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxX9-AmkJeQ&list=PLf5Snc3OZ0z6oAC3rrpXq_tgnWtP8uX0C&index=1

1. Do My Kids Have What It Takes To Succeed in Show Business?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fksaqd6pSUQ

2. Do My Kids Have Potential? Please...The Truth!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKt7sDUMkbU

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

4. Does John Robert Powers and Barbizon "work?'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmAyu5J0qio

(For more helpful info, read my blog The Differences Between a Talent Agent and a Talent Manager)

Best of luck to you!

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.

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Break A Leg!

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

Relax...Casting Directors WANT To Meet You! (post has 807 views)

An actor's relationships with casting directors in the #1 factor in having a successful TV and film career. Actors who do not have relationships with casting directors rarely get called in for the shows you seen on television or major motion pictures. The old adage is true: People work with people they know. The sames goes for Casting Directors. It is important for a Casting Director to be familiar with you, your headshot, and your work in order to be called in for an audition for mainstream projects.

One of the BEST ways to get to know Casting Directors is to participate in Casting Director Workshops. They are offered at numerous locations throughout LA for approximately $15-159. While most regular auditions only last from 30 seconds to 5 minutes, Casting Director workshops are between 1 and 2 hours giving you valuable time with a CD where they can get to know you, see your work, watch a scene and give you critical instruction to develop your audition skills. Casting Directors workshops are an absolute MUST! I suggest you do the same Casting Directors Workshop two or three times a year so you can build a rappore.

Let's say you attend Scott David's Workshop. Scott casts Criminal Minds. Before you attend he has no idea who you are. After you have attended he is familiar with you and your work somewhat. Now your headshot crosses his desk in the future he will know who you are. If he liked your work he may even a call you in! Wow, you moved from Podunk, Arkansas with big acting dreams and now a real Hollywood casting director knows who you are. You are moving in the right direction. Now repeat this process with numerous casting directors and you are starting to build relationships and contacts. The key here is to be outstanding in the workshops and in the audition room. You may not get that part, but you will make a great impression and likely be called in again and again.

How do you get great in the audition room? Take audition/cold reading classes and read some of the great books about auditioning that are available to you. I highly suggest Casting Director Helen McCready's book, "Audition and Book It." Helen also teaches an AUDITION INTENSIVE WORKSHOP which offers the fundamentals essential to develop the skills necessary to become a working actor. It gives the actor the opportunity to gain self-confidence, and recognize their uniqueness, skills and talent. Actors from beginners to advanced will get the training that they need to audition and book the role! I highly recommend actors attend. Go to her website to join her Email list.

I suggest to all of my clients to target & cultivate a "Hit List" of industry contacts. 1st step: make a list of 10 Casting Directors you need to meet. These are 10 people who cast the shows you KNOW you would be right for. Then start attending their workshops regularly throughout the year. You can research on google where these casting directors are offering workshops likely they are at the following locations:
Reel Pros,
One On One,
Act Now!,
Actorsite,
AIA,
Actors West,
TVI.


ARE CASTING DIRECTOR WORKSHOPS LEGIT?

Actors sometimes ask me are Casting Director Workshops legit? My answer: "Absolutely YES!" Not only does attending CD Workshops help you get called into auditions, but in terms of getting a good agent, your relationships with Casting Directors will be your greatest currency. Think about it this way, when an agent makes a call to pitch a client to a Casting director who will be the easier sell? An actor the CD already knows, or the completely unknown one? Agents always prefer to take on clients that make their job easier i.e. actors with CD relationships. One of my clients Laura Wilson took Paris Barclay's Workshop (Director of Sons of Anarchy) Laura sent me an email saying, "Paris brought me in for a featured extra and he liked me so much, he had me come in to read for a co-star." I hear this all the time so yes, CD Workshops work.

So get out there and start cultivating your most important relationships by meeting these CD's by attending CD Workshops and agent showcases regularly. This is an important key to your success. I can not stress this enough. This must be one of your TOP priorities. Once you get through the 1st 5 CD's, start on the next 5, and keep in touch with all of them. Don't take on more than you can handle. Maintaining relationships is hard work but, it is one of your most important jobs. Holiday Cards, Birthday Cards and Post Card announcements of shows you are in, or jobs you book are mandatory every 3-4 months. These people need to know you. And ALWAYS send a thank you card after every audition you have. If you don't know the CD's address ask the assistant at the audition if they know it. (they may even know the Cd's Birthday)

Listen, a casting director wants to meet you. They need you. They really want you to be good and wants you to get the job. If you get it right their job is done! Don't be afraid of them. Some of them really are the coolest people. Go to every audition with a positive attitude and good energy. Have fun.

Casting Director Melissa Skoff has cast over 100 features, tv shows and has helped launch the careers of some of today's biggest movie stars, and many solid, working actors including Jim Carrey, Jennifer Aniston, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Lauren Graham, David Spade, Robert Downer Jr, George Clooney, Catherine Bell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. But you do NOT have to be intimidated by Casting Directors. They really want to see you do well. They want to meet you. Melissa says, "I love casting. I love reading a script and envisioning the cast. I love reading actors and directing them and watching characters come to life. I love to have actors in the room who can make me laugh, or bring tears to my eyes. I love getting goosebumps. And I love helping actors develop their careers. That makes me very happy." Wow, didn't you want to know that? I send most of my clients to Melissa to train because she knows her stuff. I highly suggest all actors take her Cold Reading and Audition Technique Class. For prices and info Melissa Skoff can be reached in North Hollywood at (818) 760-2058 or melissaskoffacting@gmail.com

Want more convincing? Casting Director Mariko Ballentine says, "bring your sense of humor in to the room. Meaning, if you find something funny, laugh! Let us see what is funny to you. We love to laugh." Relax, Casting Directors want to meet you.

Relax and enjoy the process. Yes there is etiquette. Do not shake their hands because they do not want a million germs. It's nothing personal. Do not try and small talk after your audition because they are really crunched for time. Sometimes they are moody. It's nothing personal, they have a lot of pressure and just a small window of time to meet all the demands that are being placed upon them. Just go in, give 100% and at the end of your audition thank them with warmth and a smile, and leave. There is a lot more to it than that so I suggest you get started reading. Read everything you can get your hands on. If you are not, you are simply not going to be able to compete with other actors in the room who have learned more than you have about auditioning. It is so annoying to me when actors don't get that. So many actors think their natural talent alone is enough. It is not. There is a method to all of this. Agents know it, Casting Directors know it and so do we managers. If you don't learn how this game is played, you will be left behind. My job as a manager is to make sure that doesn't happen to you. My direction has a purpose. I am trying to make you successful in this business. Fighting me is defeating your own goal.

Remember, Managers don't make money until you do. If you are an actor who can not take direction from a manager you are going to have a rough go of it. Yes, you have to pay for Casting Directors Workshops. Yes, you may need a 2nd job. Yes, you are going to have one expense after another. Starting an acting career is like starting a small business. There are start up costs and operations expenses to keep it running. Figure the cost of CD workshops into your acting business budget and don't think you can skip this step. Casting Directors are your best friends. They can make or break your career. Without them you have very little chance to succeed.

Lastly, create a contact database for all of your industry contacts, putting their addresses, emails, phone numbers and birthdays if you can find out. Send them postcards announcing your bookings/jobs, Happy Birthday and Happy Holidays. This is very important. You must do it this 4 months like clock work, rain or shine to stay at the forefront of their mind. Producers, Directors, Casting Directors and Agents. Most talent gets lazy and doesn't bother. Here is where I want you to be superior because this distinguishes the actors who work and develop relationships with casting Directors, and those who don't.

As always keep believing in yourself and don't let anyone, or anything discourage you. You are special, unique and have so much to offer.

Break a Leg!

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 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

Breaking Into Show Business: Secrets Of A Talent Manager (This post has 7,713 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.

For NEW actors coming to Los Angeles ! Welcome:)

My name is Wendy Alane Wright and I am a Talent Manager at WAW Entertaiment in Los Angeles California. Coming to LA to work as an actor may seem daunting. You have big dreams and have no idea where to start. Where should you study? What do you do first? Who do you trust?

Me:) You have found a friend here in LA. A friend who knows this business inside and out. I have spent 20+ years in this business. I started as an Assistant at APA a huge Talent Agency that reps major stars, then became a Talent Agent and now I am a Talent Manager.

Finding a reputable manager who believes in you, and is interested in developing you into a talent that makes Agents take notice is a great way to start  building your team.  You can visit Samuel French Bookstore online at www.SamuelFrench.com or in person at 7623 Sunset Boulevard and pick up the book “The Right Manager.” This books lists what type of clients managers are interested in working with, and who is taking on new clients.  Some managers take new people with potential. Other managers want actors who are further along and have already gotten themselves a bunch of acting work through the methods I desribe below.

You can write potential managers a brief letter with a great happy picture of you and ask if they would be interested in meeting with you. Make sure you give a them a little detail about your acting background, current training and acting jobs you have booked. If you have an acting resume and demo send it with.

If you don't have an Actor's resume look at the example on Actors Pages. When you are starting out, you might not have any film or TV credits. That is expected, you are new. Therefore your Theater performances and acting training will therefore be very, very important. For kids we are often looking for a look, a personality, a type we don't have on our roster already. Managers take new kids on but they must be able to speak, make eye contact, show energy, expression and emotion. 
If they do this naturally that's fine. If they learned it in theater and acting classes that's great too. However they came to have those abilities is irrelevant. The fact is those skills are MANDATORY.

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 and Resumes to wawentertainment@yahoo.com

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.

Here is a resume of a 16 year old in Kentucky. She is serious about becoming an actor and her resume PROVES it. Look at the training she has had and the theater she has done. How does yours compare?  Click on this link to see Alicen's resume. This is what you need to start building your resume into.

ALICEN ABLER - Resume | Actors Access

VERY, VERY, VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure if you are 1, 2 or 3 years away from moving to LA that you are doing as MUCH community, regional or professional theatre as you possibly can to build your skill, experience and resume. Also, find a good acting teacher or acting class where you live. Take classes in all four of the following:

1. Scene Work
2. On Camera
3. Improvisation
4. Cold Reading ...wherever it is offered.

When you sign with a manager you should NEVER pay upfront money. Managers make 15% commission ONLY when you work. They will guide you and help you find classes to strengthen your Audition Skills, Cold Reading Skills and Scene Study Skills. They will give you the names of several reputable photographers to create your headshots and so much more. Read my BLOG: "The Difference Between Agents and Managers" for helpful information.

IMPORTANT: You don’t have to wait until you have a manager to get started. There is plenty for you to do! In fact, even when you have a manager or an agent you can’t leave it all up to them, you will still have to work hard on behalf of yourself and your own career everyday.

HEADSHOTS
So it’s time to get your Headshots. Don’t be cheap on these pictures. They are your calling card and the most important 1st investment of your career. When you shoot your headshots, you will need 2 different headshots; 1 commercial picture, which usually has a great big smile and lots of energy, and 1 dramatic picture. I always suggest MichaelHelms.com Stephanie Girard, Linda Vanoff, and Mark Cartright. They are great photographers and competitively priced at $250-$450 for 3-4 looks. During your photo session, make sure you try different emotions so you can get different looks; angry, happy, serious. Be thinking about something when you are shooting. Acting is the eyes and the camera will pick up a blank look. So have real emotion. Plus, doing this will give you more pics to chose from later. Remember your pics should look exactly like you. When you get a manager or agent show them the pictures from this 1st session, they may be able to use them, or they may have you shoot again with a photographer they recommend. This is quite common. You will change your pictures often and every time you change your look. Note: If you are not getting called in on auditions, it may be that your headshot is not working. Try a different picture until you find one that works.

Your photographer may help you choose 2 pics and retouch them digitally for you. Then you should make 25-50 8x10 reproductions. You can do this at Ray's Photo Lab online. Simply upload your high resolution image and follow the site's directions.

REPUTABLE ONLINE CASTING WEBSITES
Your next step is to join several online casting websites including Actors Access, La Casting, backstage.com and Now Casting. These sites contain breakdowns of all kind of jobs that you can submit your picture and resume for. If you are selected you will be called into audition for the role. A breakdown is a description of the project and characters. Sides are the pages of script you will be required to read from.

On all of your Online Casting Websites, upload at least 5 different pictures with different looks and expressions, complete the resume section, and pay for unlimited submissions on each site. You should submit yourself EVERYDAY to non-union feature films, pilots, TV shows, student films, commercials, webisodes and more. When you audition for these projects give it 100% and hope you book it, but don’t dwell on it. This is a numbers game and you may have to audition 100 times to book 1 project. The better your audition skills, the better those odds get. That is why it is so important to take audition classes when you get here. I recommend Doug Warhit,  MelissaSkoff.com She is a Casting Director who has cast 100+ Features & TV Shows and thousands of actors. She is great, you will learn a lot, and I recommend her to all of my signed clients. For Scene Study classes Bobbie Chance offers a great class for only $25. There are tons of great classes, but to see the ones I recommend read one of my other blogs about Los Angeles Acting Classes.

Often when you start auditioning for acting jobs, the ones you book will be non-paying, but that is okay. You are a beginner. Each time you work you will gain experience and a credit for your resume. You may also get the footage of your work to use on your Demo Reel. It usually takes awhile to get any of the footage so be patient, yet at the same time be persistent and polite while you try to get it. Expect to train and work on projects that you self submit for for the first 2 years.

Once you have strong audition skills, some acting experience and credits on your resume, along with numerous training credits your next step is to start building relationships with Managers, Agents and Casting Directors. (Don't do this until you are ready)

Casting Directors are THE people that bring you to the people can hire you. They are incredibly important people that need to know you and what you can do. I think the best way to meet them is by attending various Casting Director Workshops. They are usually 1-2 hours and Casting Directors take time to read you, watch you and even give you feedback. Places like Act Now! Actors West, Actors Link,  Real Pros and One on One offer regular Casting Director Workshops.

Don’t bother mass mailing your photos and headshots to Casting Directors. They don’t respond and you waste your time and money. In the beginning of your career a Casting Director may call you in to audition because you have the look they may be looking for. Usually you will most likely to be considered for smaller roles because you have less experience. These roles are called 5 and Under meaning you may have only 5 lines or under. These are great for your resume and give you valuable experience. Most agents won’t even consider you until you have had some of these. So start trying to get small roles in lesser know TV known shows, roles in indie films, and work as much as you can so you can develop your talent, gain experience and become more interesting to Agent and managers.

If you are coming here with big dreams and you feel that you are very talented, you are going to have to prove that to everyone. No one know will know what you are capable of, even you haven’t seen all you can do. Booking these beginning jobs will help you become more confident and more aware of your own abilities. Don't think you are going to move out to LA and get on a TV show right away. That almost NEVER happens. Doing that is like catching lightning in a bottle and is about the same odds as winning the lottery. Instead, be prepared to make contacts, work hard, study continuously and work every chance you can get.

Once you are able to prove yourself to Agents with a great resume and a Demo Reel that shows your ability, you will absolutely need an Agent to take you to the next level. Agents will submit you on the big stuff and if you do everything I have mentioned for the first 2 or 3 years when you are here, you may just be ready to grab the attention of an Agent. There is a lot of competition for an agent so you have to be prepared, have strong skills, and be persistent. There are more actors than available agents. Do live theatre, get in a show and invite agents to see you. A great way to have agents become familiar with your work is to participate in Showcases in front of agents. To participate in a showcase check out HollywoodActingworkshop.com or ActorsWest.com

Miscellaneous items you need are a passport and a Thomas Guide. The Thomas Guide contains maps of LA and surrounding areas. If your phone or car has GPS this will also help you. If you are looking for a safe, convenient place to live, I suggest Studio City or North Hollywood. They have easy access to major freeways, it's filled with industry people and other actors. Academy Pointe Apartments at 6340 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood is a great place to start.

You must always be going for this career 100% - be over prepared for auditions, familiarize yourself with the sides and script when available, know the TV shows you are auditioning for and the tone of them. Definitely carry a box of headshots and resumes- stapled- in your trunk and bring them to every audition. Have several outfits in your care, sporty, business, etc. Do not show up unprepared. It will make you look bad and your manager or agent look bad. People want to work with professionals, so be professional. Be early to every meeting or audition, be polite and have an attitude of Gratitude. No one owes you anything. There is always another actor available who is better than you, so work hard to become your best and be respectful. Leave the negative part of your ego wherever it is you are moving from.

You will need to create a website with your Headshots, Resumes and Contact Info to make it easy for industry people to find out about you. You can build one through Go Daddy. There are also many other companies out there. Your website address should just be your name. Nothing fancy like "Joe the greatest actor in the world." Here is an example of a professional working Actor's website www.MorganObenreder.com

You will need to change your phone number when you come out here to a local number either 818, 310, 323 so Casting Directors, Managers etc.will know you are here to stay.

You will need to have, or begin creating a DEMO Reel. If you don't have one you can use the footage of the projects you book to start to build your resume and your Reel. You can also hire a production company to shoot a scene or monologue for you. It will look professional and help you get auditions. I recommend Group 8 Productions (818) 808-0022. Having a Demo Reel is crucial and will make it so much easier to sell yourself to Casting Directors and Agents. Once your Reel is complete you will need to upload it to all of your Online Casting Websites. Once you have your Demo Reel, create a YOU TUBE Channel and upload your Demo Reel to it. You can send the link to interested Casting Directors and Managers. Note: A Demo Reel should never be longer than 2-3 minutes. If you have multiple scenes upload each one individually.

Get some Business Cards with your photo on them, website address, the links to your La Casting and Actors Access profiles and a local phone number. Always be prepared to make new contacts and keep track of them in a computer database program like ACT or a simple notebook. You will want to follow up with everyone you meet regularly and professionally. "Reasonable Contact" is appropriate and is exemplified by sending a Post Card thanking Casting Directors for an audition, announcing an acting job you booked, a callback you got, a show you are appearing in, or "Happy Holidays" Card at Christmas. Keep in touch with people every month. You can order business cards online for only $25 at VistaPrint.com

Constant marketing, Headshots, Reels and Auditioning Skills are the basis for how you begin your Acting Career. The Acting business is a process. Working in this industry takes time, a plan and luck. 50,000 new actors come to LA every year and within 3 years 90% leave. So if you want to be part of the 10% that stays and actually works, you have got to see this as a business that you run and are always building. Rarely are there overnight successes. Your team, which includes YOU, your Manager and Agent, will work for you and help you grow your business. 25% of your career will be acting 75% of it will be promoting yourself and doing business. I hope this gives you something to think about.

Don't come out here broke if you can help it. Save as much money as you can between now and when you come out. $10,000 is what it takes every year to pay for this acting career. Be ready to work hard when you get here. Only hard workers succeed in this business.

Make friends with the other actors you meet in acting classes. They are a great support, may have been here longer than you, and often have a wealth of information and experience. But choose the positive people. Every actor has a different experience here and you don't need anyone else's negativity. Surround yourself with other hard working actors who are focused and working. You can learn a lot from them.

If you are going to some out to LA to "make it" and work as an actor I give you this solid piece of advice: Don't come if you can be happy doing anything else. This is a very difficult business, full of rejection, competition and disappointment. You ONLY want to come here if Acting is the ONLY way you can be happy. And then, your goal should not be to come here so you can "become famous" instead, it should be to become the best actor you can be and do work you are in love with.

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 a theatrical Agent, Commercial Agent, Casting Director, Headshot Photographer, Working Actor and Reel Producer. 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 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. Visit my website and sign up today for the next workshop. (818) 203-6080

People ask what kind of actors do I look for?
They have to be talented and have a huge drive to succeed in this industry. They have to be focused and willing to give everything they have to the process; the preparation, the auditions, the classes, the characters they play, and the jobs they get. They have to be ready for 95 no's to every 1 yes. They need to be well-trained and always training. They have to have time and resources to aggressively pursue their career. And they have to be open to taking my direction.

I have to feel that any actor I work with would be a responsible person for me to invest my time, energy, expertise and resources in. I only get paid when they do. Therefore, I want people who are going to work hard at what they do, as hard as I work to get them the opportunities. When I take on a developmental client, which means they have no TV credits, have only done student films, don't know casting directors, don't have an agent, I know it will likely take years to build them into a profitable business. If I take that risk with someone, it is because I believe in them, their talent and their ability to really succeed in this business. I truly enjoy the creative process of developing an actor's career. I am as happy as they are when they get a job. Not because of the money (although that can be great) rather because of the actors chance to be creative and express themselves as artists. I live for giving these amazing people that I work with that opportunity.


Make sure to regularly check out my other blogs at “How to Break Into Show Business: Secrets of a Talent Manager” where I discuss in more detail each of the subjects I have covered above. 


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A few 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, Working Actor and including Reel Producer. 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. Visit my website and sign up today for the next workshop. Check website for next date and for more info.

I wish you great success! Break a Leg!

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

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