So...You Want to Be An Actor

The 'skinny' on industry scams

Acting and modeling rip-offs have been around since forever. Preying on newcomers while eating the profits over empty promises of a show business career.

You've seen the ads. 'Wanna be a star?' 'Wanna be on TV?' - accompanied by some toll-free number that connects you to a call-center that will try to sell you a pricey 'talent' page, on a phony website that results in your email and phone getting spammed... or some bogus weekend-hotel 'audition' package for $2,500. 

Or, maybe you've already forked over $2500 to attend of one of those 'weekend showcases' at a hotel, like a friend of mine did. To realize afterward that you got scammed when they took awful, rushed 'headshots' of you. Were mean or rude during the whole 'talent' process. And no legit agents, producers or casting people booked you on any film or TV shows, as promised. -------IMAGE

Stardom shouldn't be THIS TOUGH, right?

The Bottom Line
Real agencies DO NOT ADVERTISE … in magazines, publications, or Craigslist (or other classifieds). That is SO yesterday.

Reputable agencies like Productions Plus, Central Casting, and Babes n Beaus are SAG agencies (Screen Actors Guild) with established Facebook pages and business websites. As in... licensed affiliates or members of the professional union. 

You simply visit their website and search for the New Talent or Submissions page. Or a (free) Google search for model or talent agencies in your local or surrounding area, for specific info on how to go about submitting your materials (headshots, photos, resume, demo reel etc.), or whether they're even  accepting new talent, or posting open calls. (Some have restrictions since the Covid)

They don't ask for money upfront, because they are agencies. Talent managers who represent new and established models and actors. The only money you will really ever cough up is for your actor headshots or modeling photos. Which range in the ballpark of $50 and $300. But that is separate. Nothing at all connected with an agency. -------IMAGE

If an agent offers or 'requires' you to have your photos taken with them, or an on-duty photographer, for representation … run for the door.  They're probably a scam "insisting" you work with them exclusively, and full copyrighted so that you can't use your images for even social media. 

Years ago, some agencies did offer onsite photography. Usually done by an outside contracted professional who knew how to do actual photoshoots. But due liability and other factors, discontinued the practice, as most likely competition entered the business with their own websites and studio locations. 

One such scammer I fell for as a Noob, was a small business, posing as a legit agency. Charged me $100 for a bogus shoot, that resulted in horrible, 2nd rate headshots that today would get 1K plus laughs on social media (dismissed or rejected on Backstage.)

HEADSHOTS

All actors and models need professional images for work consideration. But the proper method is hiring an actual headshot photographer. NOT one who shoots creatives or portraits (corporate/business).  As those tend to be straight, stiff images strictly for careered professionals and LinkedIn whatnot. 

Acting headshots (like modeling), are their own ballgame. You don't just 'smile' into the camera, like in a family selfie.  The photographer actually captures your individual personality as an actor. Similar to that of a modeling shoot. Not to construe that you'll be 'posing' or what. But that it'll be the actual YOU the actor. Not a grinning goon into the camera trying to look pretty. 

Some examples here are: Leading lady, boy-next-door, criminal, professor, jock … all signature looks a headshot photographer will recognize based on your character type.  Feel free to Google the stellar contrasting shots of working actors in Chicago and L.A. --IMAGE

So NO phony agents or agency 'photographers' cutting deals or commissions for cheap-rate headshots. 

Get the real deal ... a photographer who's worked with actual actors in the business. Perhaps even call your local theater to see who they use for their media/press releases, and compare the rates. Sometimes such photographers will have shot local actors and media promoters for a reasonable cost.

Overall... starting out shouldn't cost you anymore than around $300, as mentioned. If you're new to the business. As everyone starts somewhere (incl. L.A.)  Budget headshots that look great will get you auditions, perhaps even a foot-in with an actual choice agency. Sun Valley (L.A.) charges higher in the ballpark, because it's ... well, L.A.  The land of dreams. Where movie stars are born (as the saying goes)

SUBMITTING and AGENTS

With modern technology (and the Covid pandemic) most submissions today are self-tapings regardless, 

Actors Access and Backstage (to name-drop a few here) Are all self-submissions using your phone's camera/video app. ---IMAGE

So it should be a breeze, long as you have a good quiet space to shoot 3–5 minutes of a footage. Being monologues or scenes. 

And quality monologues. None of that grade school stuff. 

Actual scenes from a favorite movie, TV show, or other performance you know well. A character you know well, whom you can realistically pull off. Like Jane Brody or Jane Austin. 

Don't attempt any characters or scenes you can't do well, or aren't passable. Such as Shakespeare or something from DROGE. As it will only discredit you as an actor, unless you can truly pull it off. Example: Joey from 'Friends' who bluffed his way through many an audition, failing almost every time (despite is brag over his General Hospital 'Dr. Drake DeMorray' role) because of his tainted actor resume. Basing his career over his looks, instead of being truthful over skills he didn't have, to get in the door. 

Don't do that. Joey Tribiani was a fictional character in a hit TV series. Not a real person who could get away with such shenanigans. Be the real deal in front of the real deal. 

SCENES and MONOLOGUES

When doing an actual scene ... you won't be looking INTO the camera. But more off to the side as in actual conversation. 

And don't shoot with just anyone, like mom or dad, big sister, or significant other----unless they know what they're doing (most do not). Get a real scene partner, who can go through the script or side with you realistically----as in believable.

There are several online and phone apps just for this purpose, that are budget-friendly like WE AUDITION. Where you can pick and choose your potential scene partner for a 15 - 30-minute session. 

If doing monologues---keep them to one-minute or less. As longer may essentially bore your audience, and defeat the enticement process. 

You should be able to capture the spirit within 30-seconds. 

So, choosing good monologues is the task. And they're not all created equal. 

Avoid old-school such as Little Women or ------- unless the role you are auditioning for is a more period-based piece. Such as Jane Austin whatnot.

Unlike years ago, when publishers released hundreds of great auditioning books for budding actors. We have technology at our tips (as mentioned) and literally hundreds of newer movies and media footage to choose from. So determine which characters and scenes you like best. Such as a scene from Titanic, or Saving Private Ryan (examples) And work on them. Develop that character. Who they are. What they're about etc. 

Then start self-taping, and select the best footage. And then share on social media acting groups or Reddit, to gauge honest feedback.