Dear Chris,

Thanks so much for making the web page.  My son, who will be 16 years
old in October of this year,  is extremely interested in acting as a
profession.   I have mixed feelings about it, because he seems to be so
good at math and science.  And although his Dad and I like to encourage
him in all things he has an interest in, I am concerned about his future
prospects for employment and also have no idea how to offer any
guidance.  Your page is such a wonderful resource I have it book marked!    
(My Son) has joined a local theater company and has been in some school plays as
well.  This year, he auditioned for, and will be attending the local
School of the Arts in theater.   I am wondering if I should try to help
him find an agent, but as I looked at your site there appears to be no
AFTRA agent in Virginia.

I would be very interested to have your insights and suggestions for what
we can do to help our son.  I wish you lots of luck.   It appears you
will have a long and successful career.  It is very generous of you to
be concerned about helping others get started.

(Email Sender)

Hi (Email Sender),

I get LOTS of emails from concerned parents like yourself.  First of all let
me tell you that your concerns are concerns that every parent has who has a
child that wants to get into this field.  In regards to offering him
guidance, if your not too familiar with the biz than rely on people like
myself for guidance.  What you as a parent should offer your son is support.
That is a HUGE thing.  If your son is sure that he wants to be a
professional actor than he will need 110% of your encouragement and support
as this is the most competitive industry in the world.  There will have to
be sacrifices on both sides (meaning yourself and on your sons part)  You
might be needed to give rides, lend money, help with auditions, etc...
Every bit of support you give your son will be such a HUGE + for him as
there are many parents out there who do not give the support, and without the
help & support of parents and friends, you mentally, physically, financially
will go broke and then you end up quitting.

In regards to AFTRA agents in your area, if you son is interested in theater
than he does not have to join AFTRA.  AFTRA is a tv & radio union.  If you
son is interested in theater than he would want to join AEA which is the
theater union.  BUT, if and when he qualifies for AEA and he joins, than he
can NO LONGER do theater in your hometown unless it is an AEA union
franchised performance.  So the union can both help and hurt him for jobs
but if he wants to be taken seriously as an actor, he really needs to join
at least AFTRA which will be a + in his side.

Hope that I've been of some help to you.  

Email Me Any time...

***CHRIS

Dear Chris,

Thank you so much for the information. 3 months ago I wanted to put my baby (15 months) into the modeling business & I didn't know how to. I've sent pictures to my local talent agency which happened to be (name removed). They called right away & said that my baby had potential. At the end of the meeting all they wanted was a payment up front for $600.00 for his portfolio. I asked why & told them that it was such a waste of money because babies at that age change so much & that in 2 weeks from now, he'll be different. It seems to me that all they want is their money first. Why can't they wait till the client gets the job first & then collect their cut? Is this normal procedure? First the money & then the job? I can understand if my son was 17 or 20 but 15 months?

Thank you so much!!

Hi (Email Sender),

(NAME REMOVED)  is not a legit franchised talent agency.  Their main job is not to find your child work but to find families that want to pay them an extraordinary amount of money for classes and pictures that they don't need.  You are right, a child as young as yours does NOT need professional head shots.  A normal snapshot is fine.  Reason being just like you stated, your child is so young and changing so fast that once the pictures are developed and you start sending them out, in a few months from the time you had the originals made, it's time for another photo session as your child has changed already.  In regards to agents,  only work with the agents located on my page as they are all franchised agents.
Good luck to you.

Email Me Anytime..

***CHRIS

Dear Chris,

  I know you probably get a lot of e-mails daily and it's probably hard to choose which
ones to write back, but I'm really hoping you can write me back.  See I have always wanted
to be an actress in one way or another, but I never knew how.  Then one day as I was watching
TV, I saw an ad for the (MODELING) conventions.  So I decide why not look it up on the
internet.  So I did and I found a lot of info. on their web site.  Then it led me to your web site. 
And I couldn't help to think that maybe fate had led me to finding all this info. at once.  That's
when I started to think this is when I might get my big break.  And just as I started to form this
notion about getting a break in the film industry, my bubble of confidence was popped.  You see
I had been trying to get my parents to let me go to an (MODELING CONVENTION) because I thought
that this would started me off on a good foot in the industry, especially after it seemed that all the
right information had fallen in to place.  I had just recently come upon some information about
the convention. I read that some woman and her daughter had gone and spent over $7,000 in expenses for the convention.  this really worries me because This  is the one true thing that I really want to do. Truthfully.  And it probably the only thing that I feel content in doing.  Though the story was about the modeling convention, this still worries me to see what the acting section of the convention would be like.  So if you have time I would truly appreciate it if you could write me back if it is convenient to you.  Thank you for your time and knowledge of your web site.  It really helps people like me who have the hope dreams and faith of become an actress who would just like to leave her mark in the world before she goes. Thank you for your time,

(Email Sender)





Hi (Email Sender)

I write back to EVERYBODY that emails me with a question.  Even if somebody takes the time to write a letter that just says "THANK YOU FOR YOUR PAGE" I write back because if the person took time to sit and email me, It's only right that I email them back with a "your welcome".  Anyway...

I have lots of people email me in regards to modeling conventions.  I'll be honest with you, you will be better off not going in my opinion.  That story you read about people paying $7,000 is probably true.  There was a national convention in NYC about a year ago and the fee just for one person to attend was $2,500 and that did not include anything else.  That just let you in for 2 days.  You say that you read their page and it had LOTS of info on it.  That is what they want you to see so that way they can set the "hook" and start to reel you in.  I have been in this biz for over 12 years and can tell you that you would honestly be better off by just sticking to mass mailings and working with local theaters and working your way up.  These conventions want people to think that "THIS WILL BE YOUR BIG BREAK.  YOU CAN PAY US AN EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT OF MONEY AND YOU CAN HAVE 2 SECONDS TO TALK TO 50 AGENTS & CASTING DIRECTORS.  There honestly is no "EASY WAY" into this biz .  It's going to take a LOT of hard work and dedication.  I myself when I was first starting had a run in with one of these conventions and in the end the only person that made out was the person who was running the convention for $400 a person and $95.00 for guests. 

As you know, you can do what you want but I'm trying to be honest with you here.  there are people who go and get chosen but out of the 2000 people that go, only about 10-20 will actually be chosen for work. 

*****CHRIS

Dear Chris,

        My name is (NAME REMOVED)   I am 18 years old and live in Tucson, Arizona. I hardly ever browse the net, but I was searching for information on Acting colleges and I noticed your web site. This is one of the most amazing web sites I have seen regarding information on acting and the
entertainment business. You have created a very informative and experienced-based web page. This was exactly the type of site I was looking
for. Thank you very much.     I personally, am in the situation where I am trying to decide what move I should take next. I have done many local theatre plays and musicals, and now after just graduating high school I feel like I want to "get things done" as far as my future career plans are concerned. I have been told so many different types of information from different people I have come into contact with. Since I have had some experience in acting, I get told everything from it's time get an agent, to attending some form of an arts college or university. I basically just want to make the right decision. I
feel that if I don't,  I might screw things up.     I have never had an opportunity to talk to someone who is a professional actor. I mean, it's not just like I can give my local Hollywood Star a call on their cell phone and ask them their advice on how to make it in the business, oh ,and by the way how are wife and kids.  That is why I was happy to see your web site. I know your very busy and get tons of e-mail just like mine, but I feel you were probably at the same situation that I am in back when you were my age. So I would very much appreciate any advice you
would have to give me.

Thanks,

(Email Sender)

Hi (NAME REMOVED)

Thanks for your nice compliments.  I'm glad that my page is going to be of
some use to you.  Trying to decide if you want to go to college for acting
or pursue other roads will have to be a decision that you will have to
make.
You are going to have to sit down and REALLY think about what avenues you
want to proceed down.  I wish that I could tell you what will be the right
road but it will have to be a "TRY & TRY AGAIN" situation.  Everybody takes
different roads and some work for some people and some don't work.  What
worked for me wont necessarily work for you.  I personally did  not go to
college for acting.  I got my first professional acting job on a Indy film.
From there I went and joined AFTRA and got my first soap job 3 weeks later.
From my speaking roles on television, I qualified to join SAG and then
joined SAG.  This road might not work for you though.  There is no real
answer that I can give you here.

And about this comment that you wrote..." I know your very busy and get
tons of e-mail just like mine, but I feel you were probably at the same
situation that I am in back when you were my age.."  I am around your age.   :)   
I made my page to help people out like yourself that
really have no idea who to go to.  I Hope that I've been of some help to you.
Please email me with anymore questions you have.

Email Me Any time...

**CHRIS

I'm glad you want to start acting. This is one of the greatest careers in the world & very rewarding. If you have no experience there are a few paths you can take; lets start with theater.

Theater is the backbone of acting.  A high school theater class or a community theater center are great places to start.  You can learn the basics of stage technique and hand and body movements.  Just like a weight lifter has to go to the gym to work & gain more skill, an actor has to attend theater to gain more skill. The more theater you do, the better!!

If you don't want to start on stage right away, acting classes are available.  Most high schools have a drama class as part of the curriculum. Acting classes are a great way to start and have an advantage over theater. Acting classes are very specific in what they teach. Instead of learning everything at once (as in a theater production) you can work on specific skills in acting classes. For example, you can take a class on ridding yourself of stage fright & learn how to speak in front of a crowd. At the end of your class you will be in total comfort when in front of a crowd & under the lights.


The headshot is one of the most important tools in an actors career. A headshot is the "business card" of the actor & it is what you "advertise" yourself to agents & casting directors. A standard headshot is an 8 x 10 black & white or color photo of yourself.   It can be a picture from the shoulder's up, or a 3/4 shot from the knees & up.  One shot is not better than the other, it is a personal preference. But keep in mind that certain poses & types of headshots are better than others when it comes to film headshots versus soap opera headshots. You can read further on this on the "headshots" section of our page. Some agents and casting directors prefer a shoulder shot over a 3/4 shot and some prefer a 3/4 over a shoulder shot.   It all depends on the person who you are submitting your photo to.  To be sure you have the correct poses for the different casting calls you will be attending, have both 3/4 & headshots done.

Any photographer can take a headshot, but it may be better to have your session done in one of the major filming areas. For example, New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Orlando, Dallas, Philadelphia etc.... If you live near a major city it's a safe bet that there are numerous headshots photographers in the area that you can get quotes from. It's always best to have your pictures taken in one of the areas that filming is done. The reason behind this is because some photographers take “posed” pictures. An agent or casting director does not want to see a “posed” picture because it’s really does not reflect the kind of poses an agent or casting director are looking for. The photographers in the areas where filming is done are familiar with the kinds of poses & pictures the agents & casting directors are looking for because they work with them most every day of the year.
In regards to babies having headshots, this is not necessary. Reason being, babies are changing so fast you will have to get new pictures taken every month. Snapshots are ok for infants.

The price of a headshot session depends on the photographer and the package. Most photographer offer their customers a package deal.  For example, the photographer you go to might offer 36 poses, make-up, & 10 copies of one pose to get you started.  All photographers packages are different.  You will want to make sure that the package includes a money back guarantee also in case you are not happy with your photos.  Most offer a money back guarantee, some do not. Make sure you know ahead of time what the policy is.  A headshot session goes anywhere from $99.00 up to $500.00 and more. Once you have your headshot, you will need to have them mass reproduced.   These will be the photos that you will be sending to the Talent Agents and Casting Directors.  Keep the originals in a safe place for future use. There are many places that you can get your photos reproduced.  If you call any studio that does mass reproductions of headshots, they will be more than glad to send you a sample pack of what kind of paper they use and the quality of their work. 

A resume is a piece of paper that lists contact information about yourself, your experiences in acting, your training, and special skills you possess. Whenever you send out a headshot, you should staple a copy of your resume to the back of the photo. Read further on resumes in our Resource section.



A postcard is just that.  It's a postcard with your picture on it with contact information. These are mainly used as a follow-up to send to casting directors and agents after you've sent a headshot & resume.  Postcards are not a necessity for acting, but they can further your career.



 Once you have your headshot and resume, it's time to start submitting them to casting directors and agents. Do not just send them to every agent and casting director in the book.   You will want to search through the listings and find agents that sign your kind of talent. The same goes with casting directors. You only want to submit your information to directors that are casting specific roles that you match and are willing to audition for. Sending photos to everyone out there gets very expensive & is not necessary. Do your homework and single out the agents & casting directors that fit your needs.  Make sure you put down the name of the role you are submitting for on the front of the envelope.

  A cover letter is what you will submit with your headshot and resume. A cover letter should be short and to the point.   You will want to introduce yourself and let the director or agent know that you are interested in auditioning for a specific role that they are casting.  Don't make your letter longer than a few paragraphs.  The agents are very busy & do not have time to sit and read about your life story.  


Agents and casting directors get in excess of 200-300 mailing a week from hopeful actors & actresses who are seeking a specific role or representation.  The sad part is out of those 200-300 pictures received, most of the time only one is selected. It's not surprising to see up to 1,000 mailings received for major motion pictures. Do not resubmit your materials but do send a postcard & thank the agent for their time & let time know you are available for future roles. This saves money and lets the agent or director know that you are still interested.  If you want, you can submit an Agent Response Card.  This is a postcard that is already addressed out to yourself & has a spot on the back for the agent to write any questions or information they are seeking from you.  


There are three major acting unions.  S.A.G., Screen Actors Guild, A.F.T.R.A., American Federation Television Radio Artists, A.E.A., American Equity Association.  The unions set the standard working conditions & wages for union actors. Each guild supports a different acting field.  SAG supports filmed television shows, television commercials, and film actors.  AFTRA supports taped television shows, radio personalities, & news broadcasters.  AEA supports Broadway type productions and theater.     Each union has certain standards that must be met before an actor can join.  AFTRA is an open union that anybody can join. There are no prerequisites that must be met, just an initiation fee.  SAG is a closed union that you must qualify to join.  To join SAG you have to have done at least one principle performance or speaking role on a SAG film with SAG wages.  You can join if you have a minimum of three work days as an extra on a SAG film with SAG wages.  Or you can join if you are a paid up member of an affiliated union  (e.g. AFTRA, AEA) and have been a member in good standing for at least one year with at least one principle performance in that union. To join AEA the qualifications are similar to joining SAG.  It is a closed union also.      


  Probably the best trade paper out there is Backstage . Backstage lists all open calls, auditions for theater, film, television, and Broadway, They also have very many helpful and interesting articles about what is happening
in the acting field.   The only downfall to Backstage is that is it very expensive. Another good book to get is Ross Reports which is an essential part of an actors inventory. Ross Reports lists all franchised agents, casting directors, production companies, Prime time television producers and every other address and contact information an actor will need. Besides listing mailing addresses, you can also find out which agents are accepting pictures, what kind of talent the agency represents, who is having open calls & more. Like Backstage, the main downfall to Ross Reports is the price.


You can sign with as many agents as you wish as long as your contract does not have an "exclusive clause". This is something you will want to find out prior to signing any contracts with any agents. If they agent has a "no compete" or "exclusive" contract then you cannot sign with any other agents for the duration of your contract. If the contract does not have a clause, than you can sign with as many agents as you want. Remember that if you have more than one agent, each one gets commission on any job you get regardless of who find the work for you. For example, if you have 3 agents than you have to pay each their commission which is generally around 10% - 15%. 10% x 3 = 30% of the money you receive is gone right away.


There are agents out there who scam actors into paying them money & making them think that they "have a deal that is too good to be true". Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. A legit agent will not charge you any money up front. An agent works off of a commission basis & only get paid when you get work. The general fee is 10%-15%. Any agent that tells you that you need to send them money to register, money to be in their book, money to be in their classes etc... is NOT legit & you should not work with them. Contact the better business bureau & do some investigating before signing with any agents. Only work with agents that are signed with the unions.

 
The acting & modeling industry is one of the most competitive industries in the world.   To get involved takes time, persistence, and money.  Time does not mean a few minutes. Most of the time it takes many years to get into acting professionally. I can assure you that there will be numerous times that you will want to quite because things are not happening right away. You must "press on" & fight through it. The feelings you are going to experience are feelings that every actor had when they were starting. Persistence pays off!!!

You have to remember this;

The "acting" industry is the most competitive industry in the world.  Getting into this field keeping with it is a challenge. You have to remember, you are walking down a long dark hallway lined with thousands of doors.   With each door you will encounter either success or rejection.  With success you will open a new pathway for yourself.   When you try to open a door of rejection it will be locked and you will have to go onto the next door.   There are more doors of rejection than success.  One of the doors is your "light" at the end of the hallway. When you find this door, the light will start to burn brighter and brighter until all the other doors open up for you. YOU have to find the right door. It's there, just keep looking.  Keep your hopes up. I guarantee if you want it bad enough and if you try hard enough, your dreams WILL come true. When I was beginning, I too felt those days of despair where I though that nothing was going right but I kept persisting and it all paid off. PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF!! Put the negative behind you and use it to push you along toward the open door of light!


I have lots of people email me in regards to modeling & talent conventions. That stories you read about people paying $3,000 to attend these conventions are true in some cases.  These conventions want people to think that "THIS WILL BE YOUR BIG BREAK.  YOU CAN PAY US AN EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT OF MONEY AND YOU CAN HAVE 2 SECONDS TO TALK TO 50 AGENTS & CASTING DIRECTORS.  There honestly is no "EASY WAY" into this biz .  It's gonna take a LOT of hard work and dedication.  I was first starting had a run in with one of these conventions and in the end the only person that made out was the person who was running the convention for $400 a person and $95.00 for guests.  The reality is that out of the 300 people that attend the convention, maybe 20 will be chosen for further interviews. The amount of money you will spend at a convention could go towards a real nice headshot session or you could use it to go towards casting director & talent agent mailings.

I receive lots of emails from concerned parents. First of all let me tell you that the concerns you have are mutual between all parents in your situation. As a parent you should offer your child support.   If your child is sure that they want to be a professional actor than they will need 110% of your encouragement and support as this is the most competitive industry in the world.  There will have to be sacrifices on both sides (meaning yourself and on your child's part)  You
might be needed to give rides, lend money, help with auditions, etc... Every bit of support you give your child will be such a HUGE + for them. Without the help & support of parents and friends your child will mentally, physically & financially break down