AHHHH! Huge News (for me)!!

[BeeBee23]

I dont remember the name of it--I was 9. I'm just saying, you can pay 500 and MAYBE get some agent, but the big agents usually don't show up to these things. You can contact the good ones without having to participate in talent search things like this.

And NC has a lot of big films come through and GA is starting up as well. A Walk to Remember, One Tree Hill, Nights of Rodanthe, Ya-Ya Sisterhood were/are all filmed through the studios in Wilmington. They often have open castings and use agents within the southeastern region to cast for roles.

Atlanta is in the process of building several sound stages. Recent movies shot in Georgia are The Last Song, Killers, and the series The Vampire Diaries and Drop Dead Diva.

If your daughter's agent is only giving you listings (not actual auditions) for indie films. Try contacting better agents. Most are always looking for new talent. Plus, some will want you to take classes through their own agency and get your headshots or comp card done through a particular photographer. Again, there are much cheaper ways to do this...yes money is involved, but your not wasting 500 bucks on a 'maybe' and you only pay when you get a paycheck from a gig they booked you for.

[ree-Xi]

Alphafrog - do you subscribe to the casting sites (NowCasting, NYCastings, Actor's Access (a lot of indie/smaller jobs) and Mandy? I am sure there are also local boards. Where I am, there are a few specific to my region.

It is possible to self-submit.

[BeeBee23]

Thanks Ree-Xi.

Alphafrog, I'm really not trying to get your hopes up, but seeing people put their hard earned money into something that isnt called for is very common, and I hear it all the time. I work for an agency and so many people start out in the wrong way. Please consider contacting agents in your area AND surrounding areas in regard to signing with them before you invest all of this money into a talent search.

Yes, when I went to one of these things I came out of it with an agent, but it was for modeling which wasnt even what I wanted to do. They were based in NYC, Paris, LA ...no where near where I was from. It was completely unrealistic. Had my mom known that we could have found an agent without going through all of the expense and time of one of these things...we would have gone that route from the beginning. I hope you'll at least consider what I'm saying.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by BeeBee23

Yes, when I went to one of these things I came out of it with an agent, but it was for modeling which wasnt even what I wanted to do. They were based in NYC, Paris, LA ...no where near where I was from. It was completely unrealistic. Had my mom known that we could have found an agent without going through all of the expense and time of one of these things...we would have gone that route from the beginning. I hope you'll at least consider what I'm saying.

You still haven't told me which one of "these things" you went to, or what you've done professionally that qualifies you to give this kind of advice. I'm just trying to make sure we're talking apples to apples and this isn't like someone from a small, private northern school giving SEC rush advice (to use a Greek comparison).

Also, we do get fully audition info/sides, etc when casting notices are sent. Our agency uses 800casting, NowCasting, and ActorsAccess.

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

You still haven't told me which one of "these things" you went to, or what you've done professionally that qualifies you to give this kind of advice. I'm just trying to make sure we're talking apples to apples and this isn't like someone from a small, private northern school giving SEC rush advice (to use a Greek comparison).

Also, we do get fully audition info/sides, etc when casting notices are sent. Our agency uses 800casting, NowCasting, and ActorsAccess.

Does your agent subscribe to Breakdown services?

PS A great resource for information on the ins and outs of the business are the forums at Backstage.com. You will learn a lot about agents, casting directors, and unions. There is a board specifically geared to child actors as well.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

Does your agent subscribe to Breakdown services?

PS A great resource for information on the ins and outs of the business are the forums at Backstage.com. You will learn a lot about agents, casting directors, and unions. There is a board specifically geared to child actors as well.

I think they do - I'm not as familiar with what all they do for actors, because my daughter has done more on the modeling side, and I was just invited to sign on the acting side yesterday.

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I think they do - I'm not as familiar with what all they do for actors, because my daughter has done more on the modeling side, and I was just invited to sign on the acting side yesterday.

Have you done acting before? Have you studied at all? If not, i would suggest taking a few classes (from an acting coach). Even the best "raw" talents could use basic tools like Improv, knowing the differences between acting for the stage and acting in front of a camera, scene study, etc. The most successful actors in my circle take classes every once in a while. I think that group classes are most beneficial unless you are working on something specific (like an audition) and need one-on-one help.

I don't want to assume anything, and I am certainly not an expert, but I wanted to share if it would help you.

PS NYCastings (with an S) has a decent amount of modeling gigs (not sure how old your daughter is).

[BeeBee23]

As I said earlier, I do not remember the name of talent showcase thing I went to...I was 9.

As far as professional work, I got my first agent when I was 9, and started out doing professional theater. After that I primarily worked on independent films in the south but among the productions I've worked on include One Tree Hill, The Marc Pease Experience, and Not Since You. I've also done work on the production side as a production assistant for a few films. I currently work at an agency. So, I know my way around this industry.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by BeeBee23

As I said earlier, I do not remember the name of talent showcase thing I went to...I was 9.

As far as professional work, I got my first agent when I was 9, and started out doing professional theater. After that I primarily worked on independent films in the south but among the productions I've worked on include One Tree Hill, The Marc Pease Experience, and Not Since You. I've also done work on the production side as a production assistant for a few films. I currently work at an agency. So, I know my way around this industry.

So flipping what? I know a few people who have done similar things. It may not be the road to getting a multi-million dollar contract with Ford Modeling, but for local talent, it's JUST FINE. Calm yourself down.

Congrats Jess and Little Jess! Don't let the haters get you down.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

So flipping what? I know a few people who have done similar things. It may not be the road to getting a multi-million dollar contract with Ford Modeling, but for local talent, it's JUST FINE. Calm yourself down.

Congrats Jess and Little Jess! Don't let the haters get you down.

Thanks for that!

Mini-update...I got an email a few minutes ago letting me know who my vocal coach is - and he has performed principle roles with several opera companies, including Opera Carolina, right here in Charlotte...who I've been trying to get an "in" with for a few years. That alone may be worth the price of admission.

I'm well aware that this could turn out to be an overpriced summer camp, but sometimes, you have to take some risks.

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Thanks for that!

Mini-update...I got an email a few minutes ago letting me know who my vocal coach is - and he has performed principle roles with several opera companies, including Opera Carolina, right here in Charlotte...who I've been trying to get an "in" with for a few years. That alone may be worth the price of admission.

I'm well aware that this could turn out to be an overpriced summer camp, but sometimes, you have to take some risks.

as long as you have fun with it and can afford it, I say go for it. (and you know what you are getting into)

Kind of like I know my 7 year old won't turn into the next Landon Donovan, but I still pay for him to play soccer.

Congrats!

[dreamseeker]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I'm well aware that this could turn out to be an overpriced summer camp, but sometimes, you have to take some risks.

this. sometimes i think that you have to learn and experience things for yourself and not just turn and run the other way bc of what others have said.

good luck AlphaFrog!

[epchick]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I'm well aware that this could turn out to be an overpriced summer camp, but sometimes, you have to take some risks.

Exactly! When I was younger, man I tried everything to get into acting. Signed up with an agency who I thought was reputable (and the dude in charge at the time was a friend of my parents) and everything. Man, dude scammed us completely, and then when I got wind of an "audition" for a big talent agency coming through, I went for that as well. $600 later, nothing came of that either.

But do I regret it? Not really. Sometimes you have to take the chance, what's the worst that could happen? You lose some money, that's it. I rather lose money than have the 'what if' feeling.

[ellebud]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

So flipping what? I know a few people who have done similar things. It may not be the road to getting a multi-million dollar contract with Ford Modeling, but for local talent, it's JUST FINE. Calm yourself down.

Congrats Jess and Little Jess! Don't let the haters get you down.

As I said, "haters", and not you AlphaFrog. I know that you are trying to navigate this whole process.

I didn't realize that your daughter is five. That is a whole different ballgame. I sort of assumed that she was in her midteens where height is a big factor. At five...she is competing with thousands of cute/gorgeous/relatable little girls for the same job. And catalogue would be the main thing.

[WinniBug]

I'm excited for you, Jessica!!


P.S. What should I do to try and find my BabyBug some modeling jobs? I can't seem to figure out who to go to around here...