Within a few weeks, you should be hearing responses
back from the agencies who are interested in knowing more about
you. Congrats!
Note: An agency who does NOT know anything
about you and still says they want to work with you might be worth
reconsidering. Agents can’t properly represent or pitch their talent
until they get to know a bit about what you have to offer. Good agents
know their talent's strengths and weaknesses and how to position them to reap
the full advantage of their potential.
You have likely been asked at this stage to submit
further materials (a reel, snapshots, or taped audition, for example) or to set
an interview appointment. If asked to submit supplementary
materials, follow directions carefully. Smart agents will be watching to
see how well you do – this is key in knowing how a talent will respond to a
director’s direction in the casting room.
If an appointment is offered, be prepared and
professional. Some agents will prepare you with what to expect; others
choose not to do so. Interviewing without information can be
nerve-wracking, so choose to define your tools before arriving.
Tools should include:
(1) Any
Marketing Materials. This may include a
headshot, resume, comp card, portfolio book, reel, and anything else noteworthy
and related to your business of being a model/actor. Be prepared to do
whatever you list on your resume, by the way. If “fluent spanish” or
“cockney accent” are under your special skills, you are likely to be put on the
spot.
(2) Monologues.
Two to three monologues that are age and gender appropriate are expected.
Use various genres and try to showcase your best qualities (avoid your
weaknesses). If you cry on cue, be sure to show that! A monologue
does not need to be longer than 45 seconds, so try to stick between 30-60
seconds. You want to leave the interviewer wanting more, not stopping you
in your tracks because they’ve “heard enough.”
(3) Details
about you. The interviewer is a stranger and wants to
find out what makes you spark. This is likely how the agent’s client is
going to feel when they meet you, so producing an interesting product to be
marketed is important! Spend some time brainstorming what makes you
unique. What gives you an edge over other talent in your
demographic? You should easily be able to answer the inquiry – “tell me
about yourself.”
(4) A
Professional Wardrobe. Wear clothing that fits in
the industry (or err on the side of corporate professional) and is appropriate
for your body style. A common mistake talent make is to wear clothing
that shows too much skin or which they deem “high fashion”, but does not
flatter them as an individual.
If you have not heard from anyone, don’t be
offended. There are only a hand-full of agencies in the world who will
send you a refusal letter. Wait a few months and continue to
develop as a talent. Once you have something new and improved to offer,
resubmit. Follow up on each submission to ensure the agency receives it,
but do so wisely by emailing or getting postal delivery confirmation.
What monologues do you keep prepped to deliver at
request?
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