KERRY BEYER PHOTOGRAPHY IN HOUSTON - Headshot & Commercial Photography

HOW TO GET A GREAT HEADSHOT!

2011-05-03T12:21:00.000-07:00

Your headshot is the single most important marketing tool you have! Check out my new video for tips on how to make your next session the best it can be. And when you need great photography, contact my studio!

10 TIPS TO BOOK YOUR NEXT AUDITION!

2010-01-20T19:13:00.000-08:00

You can be the greatest actor in the world, but if you don’t audition well you may spend your career languishing in obscurity. Auditioning is a skill unto itself and one that you better master – at least until you become an “offer only” actor.

Auditioning is the equivalent of speed dating… and you’ve got roughly three minutes to score a second date. You need to focus all of your skill and training, and turn in a camera-ready performance at the flick of a switch. You are working without a net. You don’t have the luxury of getting comfortable, taking time to explore your character, or the safety of a second take.

Most actors I know will tell you that their best performance was in the car on the way home from the audition, when there was no pressure. The light bulb switches on… “ah-ha… now I know what they were looking for!”

Here are a couple of tips that will greatly increase your chances of booking the next audition:

Show up 15 minutes early, sign in, find a corner, and start rehearsing. You’ve just battled traffic, and a million other “daily life” issues just to get there, so you need to take time to re-focus. DON’T CHIT-CHAT! Say hello, greet your friends, then politely excuse yourself. This is not a time for socializing.

Smile and be courteous to everyone. The person behind the sign in desk… the camera guy… the casting director… you get the idea. You never know who’s who… and believe me, if you are rude to an assistant, you can be sure word will travel.

Take a moment to re-focus again once you are in “the Room.” Casting directors will often speak with you briefly before the audition, getting to know you. Be engaging, interesting, and give the impression that you are easy to work with. This is where it’s ok for a brief chit-chat, but take cues on when enough is enough. The downside is that this can throw you off your game a bit – especially if you have a heavy, dramatic scene. It’s okay to ask for a minute to focus yourself before beginning your audition.

Bring your audition sides with you into the room. Don’t get me wrong… you should be “off book,” but you should always have the audition sides in your hand in case you have a brain freeze. It also reminds them that this is still an audition. I was at an audition today and I saw an actor set her sides down as she was called into the office… the casting director asked me to read with her, and guess what… she was dropping lines.

Remember that you are in charge. Sure, this is their show, but this is your audition. Take control of the room and do what you need to do to work. Do you want to sit? Do you want to stand? Do you want to step into frame? Do you want to have some “business” for your character? Discuss your preferences for how you’d like to do the scene with the casting director - they will most likely accommodate you.

Ask what your frame is. You will need to know if they are shooting a medium, close up, or extreme close up. It will affect how tightly you focus your performance. Plant yourself on your mark, and only move when it’s necessary for your character. Don’t fidget or sway – it weakens your performance. Practice at home with a video camera.

Realize that you are only in competition with yourself. They may see 500 people for a role, but honestly, only a small handful will offer something unique an interesting to the role. Be one of the handful. Make strong choices, give a layered and dynamic performance, and bring something to the party, as they say. If you make the strongest choices possible, even if they are “wrong” for the character, they will score you points. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard a director say, “I hadn’t thought of it that way, but I like it.”

Take direction. You may finish your scene, and the director may ask you to do it in a completely different way. Take a minute, process the change, and then do it with the new direction. If you don’t understand, then ask for clarification. As a director myself, when I give an adjustment, I always ask, “do you need to take a minute?” Invariably, the actor always says “no,” and then goes and does it exactly the same way they did originally, ignoring the direction. There is no way I can cast an actor that can’t take direction. Take your time… process the changes.

Ask for an adjustment. If you’ve finished your read, and they are looking at you with blank faces, ask if they have any adjustments? I have turned a train wreck into a job many times by asking that simple question. If I’ve made it to a call back, and I know I’m in the running, after my read I will ask “is there anything you haven’t seen that you need to, in order to cast me in this role?” It’s a bit of a bold move, but sometimes it’s appropriate.

Have fun. Don’t focus on getting the job. Desperation stinks. This is 3 minutes where you get to do what you love to do… ACT! Who cares if you get the job…? If you have fun in the moment, and focus on your work, and not on the pressure of the situation, you may just find yourself booking the next audition.

Hope that helps! When you need a great headshot to get that audition, you know whom to call ;)

Best,

Kerry

www.kerrybeyer.com

10 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR ACTING CAREER!

2009-11-22T19:24:00.000-08:00

I often hear actors complain that they are not working enough, not getting enough auditions, and their career has stalled. Many times they blame their agent. But I will tell you from experience, half the jobs I have gotten as an actor have been because of my own legwork. If you want to be a working actor, you must be proactive in your career! Here’s 10 ways to do that:

1. Put your photo on IMDB!

This should be a no-brainer. IMDB.com is the industry standard database for all things film, and is the tool most often used to industry professionals to research talent. Whether you are a writer, actor, or director, a photo and resume on IMDB will enhance your professional appearance, and boost your STAR METER!

What is a Star Meter, and why should you care? Well, if you haven’t noticed yet, Hollywood is a popularity contest. The more popular you are, the more valuable you are to producers. The more valuable you are to producers, the more jobs you get. The star meter is a continuously updated ranking of how much interest there is on your IMDB profile. You should be doing everything you can to boos your ranking.

So, how do you generate traffic to your IMDB page?

2. Promote your projects!

Again, this is a no-brainer, but I am constantly amazed at how few actors actually promote the projects they are in – and if they do, they act like it’s a chore. If you don’t promote your projects you are missing out on a tremendous marketing opportunity, and are likely to sully your chances of working with that producer again. Attend festival screenings and conventions. Pass out business cards, meet fans, and sign autographs. Contact media outlets and let them know you are available for interviews. Do everything you can do to help make the project a success. At this stage of the game it’s not about the money you make, but the exposure you can generate. Promote every chance you get!

3. Build a website.

You need a point of contact for your fans, and a website should be the centerpiece of your online marketing campaign. Constantly update your page with photos, video clips, news, resumes etc. Keep your content fresh and give your fans a reason to keep coming back. Link your website to your Facebook fan page.

4. Build a Facebook fan page.

I’m sure it sounds a bit narcissistic, but let be honest… you’re an actor… by definition, you are a narcissist. A fan page is a great place to communicate with your fans in real time. Again, you’ll want to post videos and news items, and create content that is relevant and engaging to your fans. And the best part… you can advertise you page cheaply and cultivate new Facebook fans across the globe. These fans may in turn buy your movies, and this will make you more attractive to producers.

Now lets, be honest… a couple hundred fans may be good for your ego, but it’s not going to cut it. I had an actress say to me the other day “Well, you should cast me because people want to see me in a movie, and my fan base is growing!” …she has a total of 400 fans. Real quick, lets do the math on that… if 10% of her fans by a DVD at $19.95 (and 10% would be a very high conversion rate), that would be a total of $798 in sales… less manufacturing, warehousing & fulfillment costs = $399.

Great, so I know if I cast this actress in my $200,000 movie… I’ll make at least $399 back… wow, that sounds like a deal. My point is, build your fan base to significant numbers. 10,000 fans is a good start… 100,000 fans and I will most certainly want to cast you in my next picture.

Which brings us to the next career boosting move…

5. Lose the EGO!

Seriously. This by far is the biggest factor that hurts up and coming actor’s careers. I like to call it the “Marginally Successful Actor Syndrome.” You’ve booked a few films, you are working here and there, people are starting to tell you how great you are, and how you are going to be the next big thing… and you start to believe it. You start thinking you are too good for certain things, and you become “difficult” to work with. Pretty soon, nobody wants to work with you.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret… directors like to minimize problems. There are so many things that can go wrong on a film set, so you try to eliminate as many variables as you can. I tend to hire actors that aren’t going to be variables, and I know I’m not alone. Instill confidence in directors and producers that you are in it 100%, and that you will be all through the marketing stage. Do that, and you will find yourself working, and getting passed around from director to director.

6. Create an email list.

On your website you should have a subscriber list that fans can join. There are many great services for this like Constant Contact or Aweber. This list will become invaluable during your career, as you will be building a customer base to sell your projects to. You should put out a monthly newsletter updating your fans, and giving them relevant content. Don’t just be “me, me, me…” all the time! Give back.

Establish contests and give-aways for autographed merchandise, photos, etc. It’s all about engaging your audience.

7. Audition for everything, big or small.

You never know where a director will end up… today it’s low budget horror… tomorrow it may be studio driven $100 million dollar epics. Don’t turn down an audition for the one liner. You may get a small part in this film… but the director may love your work and put you in something bigger next time, or even write a part specifically for you. Turn down an audition for a director, and you most likely won’t get another.

And don’t ask how much the role pays at the audition. You haven’t even gotten to that point yet! And let’s be honest… if you are in this for the money, get out. There is no money in acting until you have made it. And you are not going to make it until you pay your dues, like everyone else.

8. Go above and beyond.

I can’t tell you how many actors show up to set… treat the crew like crap, act like a diva, mess up their lines, spend lunch on their cell phone instead of working on their lines, and then ask to leave early. These actors don’t get to come back to set for day 2.

At the least, come to set prepared. But you know what I really love? When an actor does an amazing job, gets wrapped for the day, and then comes to me and says… “Is there anything I can help out with?”

I will cast an actor like that all day long – someone who is not afraid to move a light stand or help the crew clean up, or be an asset to production in some way.

9. Be nice to everyone.

This goes hand and hand with the previous tip… Don’t treat the crew like sub-humans. They are busting their butts to make you look good. They got to set 2 hrs before you did, and will leave 2 hrs after. Thank them for the work they do.

So much goes into a film production... From scripting to location scouting, props, wardrobe, food, scheduling, insurance, equipment, editing, sound design, scoring, legal, marketing… the list goes on. To get a moment on-camera is a precious moment – treat it as such. Enjoy the moment… give it your best… and be appreciative.

10. Perfect your craft.

Acting is a lifelong learning process. You must always learn and improve your skills, just like any other master craftsman. Take classes, keep your chops up, and always look for new ways to approach a scene. Keep your mind open, and never forget that your job as an actor is to entertain the audience, and tell a story in the most compelling and dramatic way possible.

I can’t guarantee that you will become a star… but if you consistently work on your craft, and practice these principles you will be well on your way to becoming (and staying) a working actor. Break a leg!

LUCKY

2009-08-09T11:23:00.000-07:00

Lucky would be one way of describing my career as a photographer. I picked up a camera and started shooting, and fortunately, people responded to my work. 12 years later, I have turned that initial luck into consistent quality for my clients, going above and beyond. Every image is my reputation, and I'm only as good as my last shot. Because of that reputation, I have the best clients in the world... so I was again very lucky to have a designer that I've worked with before ask me to shoot their fall campaign featured in the September issue of Lucky, which is on newsstands today! Check it out...

10 Tips to Slim Down for your Photoshoot!

2009-07-15T14:53:00.000-07:00

The images you see in fashion magazines are not real. Nobody looks like that. It's called retouching. Now, I think I'm one of the luckiest guys I know... I have a job where I get to photograph the most beautiful women in the world. But even these models pick apart their bodies, just like the rest of us. They hold themselves to unrealistic standards... sound familiar? Don't get me wrong, they don't think they are ugly either, but they all have a feature that they "don't like." Maybe it's their thighs, or stomach, or posterior... or maybe it's their nose, or hair, or eye color. Most of the time, these so called "flaws" are what makes this person unique and beautiful. I'm sure if we look hard enough, all of us have a feature we would like to change - but is it really as bad as we think? Probably not.

The most common area people seem to be unsatisfied with is their weight. Many of my clients contact me to schedule a shoot, but want to drop a few pounds first... though they are not entirely sure of how long it will take to reach their weight loss goals. They want to know if they should go ahead and shoot now... or wait until they achieve their ideal physique?

Now the right camera angle can work wonders... and I can definitely shave of several pounds with the lens. In most cases I can hide and extra 10, sometimes 20 lbs... That said, there are several considerations to take into account to determine when is the right time for you to shoot if you are planning to lose weight:

A) Do you have fitness and nutrition plan, with realistic goals? And do you have the dedication to stick with it?

B) If so, is this a lifestyle change that you can maintain, or is this a temporary diet to achieve a one time target weight?

C) Do you currently have an agent, and are you auditioning?

If you answered no to question A), then waiting to shoot may only be delaying you from getting great marketing materials necessary to move your career forward. And if your health program is not a lifestyle change, then shooting while at your ideal physique may be a waste of money if you quickly revert back to your pre-diet self.

However, if you do have a plan, and are dedicated, and will stick with it... go ahead a wait to shoot until you have reached your targeted goals. If you don't currently have an agent, and are not auditioning, there is no rush to shoot either - though you will need that great headshot to get an agent.

Ultimately you will have to evaluate the pros and cons, and decide when it is best for you to shoot. Typically, shooting while at your average weight, one that is easy for you to maintain, is the best way to go. If you do begin an new health program, please consult with your physician and get the OK first.

People are so often worried about al these little "imperfections..." but the key to remember is that they are part of what makes you unique and special. I now that sounds cliche, but it's true. Don't get caught up trying to look like the cover of some magazine, because that person only exists in photoshop. And certainly don't cause yourself harm by improper nutrition - your health is your most important asset. Besides, your photos need to be an accurate representation of you for marketing purposes anyway.

Check out these 10 tips to safe weight loss from the Mayo Clinic.

No matter what, have fun, accept yourself big or small, and live well! Good luck with your fitness and career goals. When you need great pics, you know where to get them...

www.kerrybeyer.com

HUEY LONG: NY TIMES

2009-06-13T13:02:00.001-07:00

Several months ago I had the honor of photographing legendary guitarist Huey Long of the "Ink Spots" for The Fretboard Journal. Sadly, Huey has passed at the age of 105. Learn more about his amazing life in the New York Times article featuring my recent photographs of Huey. It was a privilege to have met him. He will be missed! Read more in the NY Times...

HOW TO GET AN AGENT: PART II

2009-03-31T10:23:00.000-07:00

I’m assuming you don’t suck as an actor? That you are on the top of your game? That your work is truly on par with what you see on TV and at the movies. Take an honest look at your work, because you are not doing yourself any favors by walking around in denial. If there is an area you need to improve on, then stop looking for an agent and work on that area first.

I know, not what you want to hear, but if you want to be successful, you’ll have to bring you’re “A” game! Think of yourself as a top athlete that must constantly train and condition. “But Kerry, I see people on TV all the time that can’t act their way out of a paper bag, I can do better than that!”

Can you, really? This “bad actor” hit their mark, said their lines, and held the frame. They didn’t get nervous and spaz out when acting across from a Star. And to get to this point, they’ve been pounding the pavement and playing the game for a long time, proving themselves along the way.

Okay, enough said, you get the point. Now, I’m going to be painfully honest with you and tell you the two types of people that work in Hollyweird. If you fall into the third category, you are going to have to work a little harder to stake your claim. Don’t shoot the messenger, I’m just telling you like it is…

Really, really pretty people work. And really, really ugly people work. Hollywood needs heros and villains. If you don’t fall into either of those categories, then you are a sidekick. In which case you will have to work on your comedy skills to be the funny, quirky best friend.

It’s okay, you don’t have to hate the pretty people, they have a tough time in their own way. There are a gazillion pretty people in LA – all going out for the same part. And most people automatically think that the pretty people can’t act, and are just skating by on their looks. Which many of them are.

So, first things first, you must realize that you are no longer you. Think of yourself instead as a multinational corporation marketing the product that is YOU! To market this product, first you have to do a little product development. Figure out which category you belong in – hero, sidekick, or villain. Be honest. Then figure out what type of characters in your category that you are best suited for. Are you the quirky best friend? The geeky computer guy? The high strung Wallstreeter? Work up these characters that fit you, so you can pull them out of your bag of tricks when you need to.

Now, develop your marketing materials, and plan your ad campaign. You need great headshots, that accurately represent you, that suggest these various characters that you can play. You need to brand your image, just like Coke and Pepsi. Start by creating an online presence – start a blog or video blog, join online casting sites, create an email newsletter, join Facebook, Myspace, and any other relevant social networking site.
Once you have your marketing materials and game plan, start marketing… but not to agents. Lets be honest… the headshot and resume that you sent to the agent cold is ending up in the trash can. You don’t want to go begging an agent to rep you… What you want is for the agent to come to you.

One of my clients got signed to a top “A list” agency in LA from a one line mention in Variety regarding a stage performance in Houston. “This kid has a face that belongs on the WB,” the reviewer said. That was enough for an LA agent to pick up the phone and give the kid a shot.

Start out as your own agent. Market yourself to independent films, theatre companies, commercial production companies, and casting directors. Network. Build a strong body of work. Book a big enough job, or get a nice mention in a well read trade, and the agents will come to you. You never know when that little independent film will screen at a major festival like Sundance.

Most people know me as a photographer, but what they don’t realize is that I got into photography after being an actor (it’s not just a coincidence that I take great headshots). I had done a number of independent films, commercials, and industrials in Texas, and was working about as much as you could in the Texas market. An agent saw my work in an independent film that screened at SXSW, and wanted to rep me in LA. I figured it was time, so I packed my bags.

I’ll go into detail about the transition from working in Texas to working in LA in another article, but for now, I’ll let you in on a little secret… 50% of the jobs that I have booked as an actor have been a result of my own leg work, even while having a top agent. Getting an agent doesn’t mean you can sit back and let the work come to you.

There is no magic bullet. No fast path to stardom. Sure, it seems to happen that way for some people. But by and large, it takes years of dedication and hard work. Be the best, most marketable actor you can be, and the rest will fall into place. Break a leg, and when you need great headshots, think of Kerry Beyer Photography.

© Kerry Beyer

PILOT SEASON: SHOULD YOU GO?

2009-03-24T15:38:00.000-07:00

Pilot Season: Should You Go?

No other season in Los Angeles inspires more awe and excitement among actors than Pilot Season – a time when new shows are created by the networks, and new stars are born, seemingly overnight. Actors from across the country flock to tinsel town for three months of audition mania; sleeping in their cars, crashing on friend’s couches, and pounding the pavement, hoping to get their shot at the big time. Should you be one of them?

Beginning in mid January, after everyone gets back from the Sundance Film Festival, Pilot season typically lasts until mid April. This is when the majority of television pilots for the following fall TV season are produced. The whole town is overwhelmed with activity, and an actor can have several auditions in a single day. But don’t expect to just swoop into town in mid January and start beating down doors, declaring your stardom – you will have to do plenty of groundwork well before you even set foot in LA.

That high powered agent that you want to rep you won’t have the time to take on a new client during the chaos of pilot season. Plan ahead and establish that relationship in the summer or fall. You will most likely have to make a few trips to LA beforehand to take meetings and scope things out. That way, you can arrive in January with representation, a place to stay, and all of your marketing materials. Yes, you will need an updated headshot, resume, and demo reel… and, of course, by now you should know where get great headshots, ahem ;-)

Pilot season is an especially great time for kids. Casting directors and producers are very open to looking at new, young talent. Child actors are all starting out on a somewhat level playing field, and unlike adults, they don’t have 20 years of strong credits behind them, thus enabling newcomers a better chance of breaking in.

Taking months off from school can present a challenge for kids, but LA is no stranger to working child actors, and there are many specialized academic arrangements that can be made. Some parents choose to home school during that time, and the temporary housing facility at Oakwood Toluca Hills offers a customized program specifically catering to the needs of child actors and their families.

Furnished apartments, quality services, convenience, and experience in the entertainment industry make Oakwood one of the best choices for temporary housing. Only minutes from the backlots of most major studios, complete with a rental car company on site, as well as a convenience store, I find Oakwood a great place to stay for both kids and adults during pilot season - but make your reservations early, as it will be booked solid during the season.

For both kids and adults, the LA market can be challenging. The competition is high, and the market is clearly segmented into genres – half hour comedy, hour long episodic, soaps, movie of the weeks, and features, each with their own audition style. During pilot season, the situation comedy reigns supreme – so hone your comedic timing. Not only will you be competing against the best and brightest from around the country, you will be competing against, and matching up with, name actors. And this is the challenge of pilot season. The process goes something like this:

You pre-read for the casting director. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a producer call back. Then another. Then you go before the network, and then maybe do a test. Then most likely the network will err on the side of caution and go with an established actor that has perhaps worked with the network before. Or maybe the star has someone in mind that they’d like to work with, and they end up going that route. Those are the realities of the business. But even though you didn’t get the part, you have accomplished a few things – you have begun building a relationship with the casting director and the network. Enough times in front of the suits at network and maybe they will take a chance on you.

Now I’m going to let you in on a little secret of pilot season. Many of these name actors are holding out for a pilot, and don’t want to take a smaller project that could interfere. This is the hidden opportunity in pilot season. Focus your attention on the smaller projects and independents that are having a hard time casting because everyone else is busy with pilots.

All of that said, Pilot season may not be the best time for a new actor to go to LA. Since there is high competition among name and credited actors for pilots, new actors may stand a better chance of picking up smaller roles during Episodic season. Beginning just after July 4th, Episodic season runs until October, and all of the pilots that were picked up by the network begin filming. This season offers audition opportunities for ongoing episodes, with many bit parts, as opposed to the principal roles that were cast during Pilot season. A few of the shows may see principal players recast during this time as well, but by and large, this season is about guest stars, day players, and 5 lines or less roles. Remember, there are no small parts, only small actors. Breathe life into those smaller roles, and create unique performances that stand out. I’ll talk more about how to do that in a future article.

When Episodic season ends, the television industry generally goes on Hiatus – and many industry professionals take this time to go on vacations and get out of town before the madness starts all over again in January. This may be another hidden opportunity for some actors, as the availability of many of the known actors may be limited during this time – opening a door for someone who happens to be both talented and available.

Lets not forget the independents. When TV season ends, stars are often looking for independent films of merit that will launch them into the coveted “Movie Star” status. They’ve made a phenomenal amount of money from their TV show, and can afford to take a chance on a low budget film that may receive critical acclaim, and showcase a different range for their talent. Hiatus may be a great time for you to market toward the independents for the smaller roles.

Now I have some shocking news for you. Pilot season doesn’t really exist. Well, not like it used to. Sure, the big three networks still dictate the traditional Pilot season, but with the proliferation of original cable programming that is in development year round, and shot during “non-traditional” periods, the previously hard and fast time frames of the seasons are blurred.

So when is the best time to go to LA and give the big leagues a shot? Well, ultimately, the decision of if and when to go to LA depends on many factors - Can you take the time away from school or your job? Can you afford the extra expense? Are your acting skills up to industry level? Knowing the “seasons” can help you focus your marketing efforts, but keep in mind that though many careers seem to happen overnight, they are often the result of years of calculated effort and persistence.

Taking on LA for a season can be a great experience, whether you book a pilot or not. You will hone your acting skills, and be that much better prepared when you return to your regional market. I highly recommend the experience for any serious actor. But you will have to make Los Angeles an ongoing destination throughout your career if you intend to achieve a certain level of success. Though lightning may strike for some during a brief visit, quite often a single month in LA may not be enough to launch you to stardom, but it can be a great way to get your feet wet, and prepare you for the road ahead. In general, the more time spent in LA, the more opportunities you will create.

Whether you are in Los Angeles, or a regional market, pursue your craft with passion and dedication, always striving to be the best that you can be, and success will surely follow. Break a leg, and remember to thank me in your Oscar speech.

Learn more about Oakwood accommodations and tutoring.
http://www.oakwood.com/childactors

--Kerry
© 2009 Kerry Beyer
www.kerrybeyer.com

HOW TO GET AN AGENT

2009-03-24T15:29:00.000-07:00

There is only one thing that stands between you and fame and fortune! Bring on the house in the hills, the paparazzi, and free designer clothes... Undoubtedly, you are the greatest undiscovered talent, and anyone who fails to recognize this is clearly a moron. All the world is sure to adore you - stardom is yours... if you can just get an agent to represent you, right?

I have had a gazillion agents in my career - some of them great, some of them terrible, but all of them interested in one thing... 10% commission. After all, this is show-BUSINESS, not show-friends.

In Los Angeles it works like this: The career of an agent begins in the mailroom, slaving away for hours on end, doing jobs no one else wants to do, getting as much respect as a doormat, all on a pay scale that makes the guy who took your order in the drive-thru seem like Donald Trump.

From there you work your way up to another crap job, then another, and another, until you are lucky enough to be the assistant to some other assistant of someone with a slightly less crappy job.

If you’ve managed not to commit suicide, you might actually find your way to assistant Jr. Agent... then Jr. Agent... they maybe one day, you might actually become a real live, Hollywood agent, on the tenuous condition that you can actually pull in enough revenue to cover your salary, assistant’s salary, office expenses, and your lunches at the Ivy... all on 10% of what your clients make.

Most agents have to bill $5,000,000 a year in client salaries to break even in LA. Are you starting to get the picture?

In regional markets, it is very different... There is not the intense competition for agent positions, and the overhead is not nearly the same, but none the less, the agency must cover operating expenses.

I know, who cares, just get to the part where you tell me how to get an agent, right? Okay, okay, but it should be obvious by now... BE ABLE TO MAKE MONEY FOR YOUR AGENT!

Be marketable, well trained, professional, and dedicated. This is not a hobby for your agent, and neither should it be for you! Your agent has to look at you, and know how and where to sell you. You have to provide them with the best quality marketing materials as well - and I know I am biased here, but you cannot use the picture a friend took as your headshot.

Find a photographer who knows the business, creates an environment that you feel comfortable in, and has the skill and ability to capture that unique part of your personality that will set you apart! You have less than a second to make an impression on a casting director with your headshot - then it gets dumped in the trash.

Enough about the importance of photography, on to getting an agent. Send your headshot and resume with a BRIEF cover letter introducing yourself, stating your recent industry accomplishments, and request an interview. If you have a demo, send it in, or provide a link to YouTube, or wherever your demo is hosted. Follow up in 2 weeks with ONE phone call.

If you are turned down, thank them for their time, and ask if they wouldn’t mind discussing areas that you need to improve upon to be more marketable. They may suggest training, more experience, better marketing materials, etc., or you may simply not be what they need, as perhaps they represent a dozen other actors in your category.

Okay, say you get a call back with an interview time... prepare a comedic and dramatic monologue - under a minute each. Make sure your comedy is funny, and make sure your dramatic monologue doesn’t leave them wanting to slash their wrists. Good drama always has touches of comedy. Really, it’s okay to mix the two.

Before you start your monologue, ask the agent if they want you to give your read to them, or to a blank spot on the wall. Many times if you engage them directly during your monologue they will not feel free to take notes, or really observe your performance. So ask what they prefer.

Remember that this is an audition, and like all auditions, you have control over how you want to work. Agents and casting directors all want to find the next big thing - believe it or not, they want you to succeed. Do what you need to do to give a great performance. Stay tuned for my audition article to learn more.

Also be comfortable with cold reading. An agent may hand you commercial copy, or sides from a current TV series or movie, and give you five minutes to work it up.

Finally, an agent may ask you this seemingly simple question that strikes fear into the hearts of actors and trips many people up. “Tell me about yourself?”

“Ummm.... I don’t know?” is not a correct response. Neither is launching into a diatribe about how you are an ACTOR and how you LOVE ACTING, and how your whole life is based on ACTING, and how you’ve known since you were a small child that ACTING is what you want to do, and blah, blah, blah... And though I can hear the passion in your voice as you bare your soul, it is still nauseatingly boring and shallow, and highly unoriginal.

I mean, there are people out there dedicating their lives to finding a cure for cancer... and you want to dress up and play make believe for a living. These agents hear the same things over and over and over again... give them something fresh and intriguing. Surely you are passionate about something in your life that has nothing to do with the entertainment industry that you can talk about for 30 seconds to a minute when they ask you to tell them about yourself. If not, you are creative, make something up.

Most importantly, be yourself and have fun! Personality and professionalism are what sells in this industry, not prima donnas and drama queens!

Hope this helps, and when you need great pics, think of Kerry Beyer Photography.

--Kerry
© 2009 Kerry Beyer
www.kerrybeyer.com