Position:Home>Theater & Acting> Do I need an agent to be on TV?

Well, you do need an agent!. Its hard to get discovered, but usually on auditions you can't just 'show up' unless its an open call!. An agent is like the owner of a store, and people making movies/commericals/shows are the shoppers!. The agent will pick many people to join the agency, but she will only pick people that she thinks have potentencal!. Then, when someone is making a movie/show/commerical, they go to an agency and search through the many, many people the agency has to offer!. They will pick anyone they think could be it; and they will probably pick over 5,000 people sometimes!. It's ALOT!. than at auditions, you do a simple monologue or whatever they tell you and you leave!. They will call you back if they like you, and so on until the search is narrowed down to two people!.

You cannot just 'walk' into an audition!. They are always held in studios, and your agent will call the studio in advance to say that you are coming!. You will not be able to get in otherwise!. And, usually the producers have specific wants for the person they want to be in the production!. So, you can't just show up!.
I got discovered becase my neighbor was friends with an agent, and she told her about me, because she liked my 'blond girl next door' looks!. Wow, easy for me, huh!? And, uh, in South Florida there arent many agents and such!. New York and Los Angeles: those are the two main places for anyone looking to be in the business!. So if acting is your dream; LA or NY is the place to go!. I would choose LA thought!. Because hollywood is there and you have more of a chance!.

When you get joined at an agency, they have a certain photographer that they like!. So, you will probably need to get new headshots if they accept you!. Plus, be ready for rejection: not all the agencies will accept you and you have to accept that!. But, keep trying!. Beleive in yourself and pursue your dream if you really want it!. At a theatre make friends, and be outgoing!. You have no clue if a talent scout is in the audience!.!.!.you never, ever know!.

You can also attend open calls, where anyone can audition!. There arent many!.!.!.!.!.!.so you really need an agent!. Not much business happens in Florida, sadly!.

Email me at summerlerette@aol!.com (i have a separate one) if you have any questions!. I was in your position at once, and I have been there and done that!. :-)

Hope this helps!!! :-)Www@QuestionHome@Com

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You need to find trade rags/newspapers and or websites and watch out for open auditions!. Many televisions programs will use agents to get actors, and casting directors as well to fill minor roles, but some may have open auditions just keep and eye out!. You probably be more likely to find open auditions for movies or tv specials, that regular episodes of a tv series, although a new series or pilot may also be good opportunities!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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You only need an agent if you think you're getting the raw end of the deal in acting situations!. If you're making a living you can be comfortable with, then you don't need an agent!. Still, couldn't hurt!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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not necessarily
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Are you in a BA or a BFA program!? You should be in a BFA!.

And why aren't your theatre professors available to advise you on this stuff!? Consider transfer to a school with a good professional level BFA program!

Look: an agent is the last thing you need, Literally!.

Orlando is your closest performing center, and there are a lot of Nickelodeon and other shows originating there!.

However, most shows do not allow just anyone to audition!. They want seasoned professionals, not newbies!. So unless you qualify for membership in Screen Actors' Guild, or Actors' Equity, or American Federation of Television and Radio Artists--you are closed out of 90%+ of all professional auditions!. Visit their websites to familiarize yourself with their draconian membership requirements (again, why are your professors not teaching you this!?)!.

I appreciate that you'd like to guest star on CSI or House, etc!. Frankly, the odds that you'll get to do that are slim!. You'll need to finish your BFA program and go to one of the theatrical centers (NYC, LA, Chicago, Orlando) and work in grunt jobs while taking professional acting seminars and hitting all the open auditions--amateur and pro--that you can!. Sooner or later, if you're persistent, you get a break and earn the union card--by then I expect House and all the CSI franchise will be off the air!.

But once you have that union card, legitimate agents will consider representing you!. Now, there are a lot of agents who are willing to represent you right now--but they're scams!. They have ways of making you invest lots of money up front, either direct fees or head shots with their "exclusive studio" or lessons from "their academy"!. Avoid them; they'll just take your money and give you nothing in return!. Legit agents only make money as a small percentage--maybe 15%--of your income from performing jobs while they represent you!. And those agents only want to represent union members--why would they want to take on someone who can't even get into 90% of the professional auditions b/c they're not union members!? No income from that!

Getting to be a professional actor is a hard slog!. Odds are you never 'guest star' in anything, you wind up doing regional theatre and having small speaking roles in TV series and films and doing trade shows, etc!. And y'know, that's a good career and lots of fun if you love the work and can't imagine doing anything else!

Break a leg!.

And what college are you at where the professors aren't teaching you this stuff!? I want to despise them!Www@QuestionHome@Com

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