And...Action!: agent

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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

entertainment industry coach question 754: How do I get into doing voiceovers?

I get this question from many actors and some non-actors with great voices. Voice over work is one of the more challenging areas of entertainment to break into. It's a tightly knit group and they try to keep it that way. Many working voice over artists own their own home studio so they can audition from their home and email it to their agent or a specific advertising agency. Some even do the jobs from home.

Voice over artists have marketing materials such as a website, and a voice over CD. There are different areas of work, such as commercials, cartoons, video games, greeting cards and animated movies.

I wish someone would re-do the voice on the awful garage ticket machines. That voice gives me the creeps.

Do your research on the voice over industry. Have informational interviews with successful voice over artists and agents who represent voice over artists.

While many think of it as a supplemental income job to their entertainment career, you will quickly learn that it is just as much a full-time business as anything else.

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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 629:What is the best way to write a letter to start a relationship with a CD, director or agent and...

... not make it about me, me, me?

The answer to that is make it about them, them, them! When you are approaching someone to begin a relationship, you want to offer help, or ask for something they can say yes to, which means: DON'T ASK FOR WORK or A JOB in the first few contacts. Build the relationship first.

So tell them in your initial letter: who you are, where you are in your career and where you want to be.

Then: Tell them why you're writing to them (what you want or can do for them) and WHY THEM PERSONALLY. This is where you make it about them, them, them.

Remember to give your contact information as well as a date when you plan to follow up with them.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

Thursday, November 18, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 624: Should I be sending out headshots or postcards to follow up a meeting with an agent or casting director?

Neither. If you had a meeting, I'm assuming that you already gave them a headshot. Your first follow-up should be a personalized thank you note. You are not asking for work, you are simply thanking the person for the meeting. Be sure to mention something that was said that had an impact on you, and any personal things you connected on. If the card reflects something you spoke about, even better.

I don't suggest putting your picture in the card, just write your name clearly. the reason for this is that you want it to be a genuine thank you. If the person forgot who you are but is touched by your words, he/she will look you up on IMDB (so make sure your pictures are up there and your credits are updated.)

Then you can follow up again a week or two later with a postcard, with a "marketing reason" for sending it.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 623:unsolicited scripts are not read, but is it true that a producer with a pitch can get the meet?

I'm not 100% sure I get your question. I think what you're asking is if there's a difference between trying to send an unsolicited script and making an unsolicited pitch. And the answer is no, it is not true. Anyone can say they're a producer with a pitch. When I worked in development, if a writer or a director didn't come to us through an agent/manager/entertainment lawyer, they had to sign a release form. By doing this, the production company is protecting themselves in case your idea is similar to something they already have or something else they may do in the future.

It is the same with an unsolicited script. If for some reason a company is intrigued by your idea and someone wants to read your script, they will ask you to sign a release first.

So, yes, as a producer you can get a pitch meeting and get a script read, but you will have to sign a release. Before signing it, you should have it looked over by a lawyer.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 615: how can I get a referral to an agent. Should I try the mentor approach?

Getting referrals to agents and managers is the same as getting a referral to anyone: you have to ask for it. A referral is an introduction from a mutual friend or work associate. It is not a recommendation (although those are good too.) Basically, you ask the people you already know if they are represented, and if so, if they would refer you to their representation for an informational interview or a meeting. The more referrals you can get to a specific agent, the better.

So if you're going after an agency that reps more than just actors, see if any of the writers or directors you know are repped by them. Aim for 3 referrals before making the call. Then there's the strategy of having 3 people make calls on your behalf to the same agent until the agent wants to know, "Who is this person I'm getting calls about and why don't I know him/her?"

Finally, you asked about mentorship with an agent. One of my first mentors in Los Angeles was an agent. It made sense; I wanted to study at the most respected schools, know the legitimate casting workshops, and get advice on which casting offices to target. It worked for me. And as a bonus, my mentor sent me out on auditions.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

Sunday, September 19, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 564: Every time I take my daughter to a commercial audition we both book it. Should I get her an agent?

If you want to. Do you want your daughter to go on auditions for herself? Does she enjoy it or does she enjoy it because she's doing it with you? If you're asking if it will be easy to get her an agent, with her working track record, she definitely has an advantage.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 539: How do I find a reputable acting school in LA?

Ask agents and casting directors which schools they recommend. They are the ones who look at resumes and determine which schools impress them.

My very first mentor was an agent and she helped me choose my school. I interviewed 10 places before choosing the first one I met with.

Also, know what you want from the school. Do you want to learn a technique, be exposed to Casting Directors, work on a specific skill.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

Monday, August 23, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 537: Do I need a separate agent for commercials, theatrical, and voice over?

You don't need to, but if you have the opportunity to have more people on your team who are specialized in their area, it can be a good thing. Agents have different relationships. An agent who reps voice over artists has to know different people than a theatrical agent who submits clients for television and film.

There are agents who want to rep you across the board, but they most likely don't have all the relationships that an agency with agents in different departments have.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

Thursday, August 19, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 533: What is the proper way to go about sending mentor letters?

The proper way is the most direct way to get it in their hands. Therefore, there are numerous and professional ways to do it. Here are a few:

1. If you have an address for them that was given to you by a referral.

2. Through their agent (almost all agencies forward mail to their clients, but you may want to check with the agency before you write your letter just to be sure).

3. Through their production company.

4. Through their union (if their union forwards mail- check before writing the letter).

5. Through a friend, if a friend is willing to pass it on.

6. You can hand it to them personally, if you know you're going to a Q&A where they will be speaking, if they stay after to speak with people.

7. You can "friend" them on Facebook, and if they accept, send it in a personal note.

This is not in order of "the most direct way to get it in their hands." It will vary depending on the person to who it's being sent.

DO NOT- find out where they live and put it in their mail box or knock on their door

DO NOT- carry it around with you because you see them often at a local restaurant and whip it out while they're enjoying their personal time [while this has been done, it doesn't fall under "best practices"]

DO NOT- do anything that could freak them out or scare them!