ALLLL BYYYY MYYYYSELF
For one reason or another, you’re unrepresented. No agent, no agency, no manager. Maybe the ones you’ve auditioned or interviewed for didn’t offer, or maybe you just haven’t found one that you’re really happy with. Either way, all that’s running through your mind is how on Earth to get booked for jobs without representation. I mean, is that even possible?
Believe it or not, you can find work with or without representation. You just need to learn a few tricks to get yourself on the same playing field as represented talent whose agents have those seemingly unlimited and ever important connections.
LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD
Casting and audition expert Ilene Starger wrote about the 7 ways you can get work without representation, and they’re easier than you think! Read the full article here. Here are her tips:
- Create your own work – Collaborate with other talent to make your own projects where you’re the boss! Obviously you wouldn’t get paid for this kind of work, but it’s a good way to keep in practice and have current and creative material for casting directors to look at.
- Read industry publications – Acting magazines, websites, and blogs often post casting calls and auditions for productions of all sizes. Some sites, like Actor’s Access, even allow you as an unrepresented actor to submit your resume and headshot for auditions.
- Get involved in student projects – Student filmmakers always need good talent, and these small projects can turn into highly visible and acclaimed movies.
- Attend acting conferences like the EPAs – Conferences like the Equality Principal Auditions give represented and unrepresented actors a way to perform and get seen by a variety of audiences, including filmmakers and casting directors.
- Let the important people know you’re looking – The worst thing about being unrepresented is that you don’t have someone in contact with filmmakers scouting for jobs for you. Be in contact with casting directors, directors, and producers whose work you admire and let them know that you want to work for them.
- Don’t be grumpy about not getting booked – The last thing casting directors want is an actor who has a chip on his shoulder about not working in a while. It’s part of the business.
- Recommend your talented friends when you can – Even when you get nothing out of it, it’ll show people you’re a team player. And who knows? Maybe they’ll return the favor some day.
For more tips on how to break into the business of acting, stay tuned for more blogs or register for one of our Breaking Into the Biz workshops with Acting Out Studio owner Kamber Hejlik, offered one day at each of our three locations. Click here for more information or to register!
Written by Katherine Rhoden / October 5, 2016