[Casting]

How do you get an agency in another city or state? This is very important if you want to expand your career outside of the area in which you live. The good thing about being listed with an agent outside of your immediate area is that you can take your career to the next level as well as increase your income and experience.

The problem is that agents who are outside of your immediate area don’t want to list you because they are concerned about you being willing and able to get to auditions. While this may seem shallow, they have a really good point. There are lots of actors, models, dancers, etc. who will be very excited about getting listed with an agency, and then decide that they don’t feel like making the trip to go to an audition when called by the agency. This is not good for the talent and also not good for the agency. The agency staff has to take the time to go through the files to find talent that is suitable for the job, contact them and set-up audition times. This is wasted time if the talent is never going to show up because they are out of town and can’t make it. It also makes the agency look bad to the client when their talent don’t show up to an audition.

The other thing is that often times in this business, the agency will need you to go to an audition the same day or the next day. If you are in another state, you have to be able to drop everything and get to the city where the audition is being held. While your intentions may be good, this really requires a lot of dedication and determination on your part.

Let’s talk about what you need to do, if you are ambitious enough to want to get listed with agencies out of your immediate area. First and foremost, you could move. However, this might cut you off from all of the agencies that you are already listed with in your area. So there are some considerations to take into account and some serious decisions to be made.

First, find a friend or relative that lives in the same city that the agency is in. Get permission from that friend or relative to use their address as your mailing address. This way, it appears that you actually live in that city. If you are called for an audition and you can make it, great! If you aren’t available or the audition isn’t worth traveling for, just say that you are not available.

As always, you need to be accessible, but the number of your service should not tell that you are not in town. How do you handle this? You ask a friend or relative if you can have another phone line put in their house. It doesn’t have to be visible. It can be in a closet, basement or spare room. You can turn the ringer off and hook up an answering machine to this line. Make sure that you can access the machine from where you are. Check the machine a couple of times a day.

If you don’t want to setup an extra phone line in someone’s house, you can simplify everything by getting an 800 pager. This way, agencies don’t know where you are located. With an 800 pager and a local address, you appear to be local "on paper". There are all sorts of services that can help you with getting an 800 pager. Check your yellow pages or call your phone company.

Include all of this information (e.g. address, phone and/or page) on materials that you send to agencies. Be sure to send the right information to the right agent. It involves a little juggling and you need to be sharp to keep things flowing smoothly. This is one way that you can venture into new markets. This is particularly helpful if you live in a small town where not much is happening. If that is the case, you may consider moving. The work is out there if you are willing to find a way to get your share. If you have what it takes, use this information to take your career to the next level.

[CrystalBarrera]

Thank you for the advice, it's useful

[smiley07]

how do u get a agent in champlin from where u r at.

[Tyronte]

True enough, but it's gonna be hard to get work if I don't even have a picture up yet. When I get one how do I get involved with an agency?

[Jonathan Parker]

You can always email your picture to photos@starsearchcasting.com and we will upload it into your profile for you.

[ShaqWest]

jon, on Jul 21 2006, 08:52 PM, said:

You can always email your picture to photos@starsearchcasting.com and we will upload it into your profile for you.

[ShaqWest]

Thanks for the advise but how do I get an agent

[julialee]

ohh.. then it must be really hard for me to get an agent in another contry? x] btw..if I wanna work/audition and so on in the US, but live in sweden, dont I need like permisson or somethin? x]

Julia

[idtwinsmom]

I understand what you are saying here and why. It is difficult but not impossible to find good agents in the big markets who are willing to work with you if you live outside the area. I have to say though, that starting a business relationship based in part on lies/deceit can be a recipe for disaster. We all want a trustworthy agent, we should be a trustworthy talent. I have found it is better to be up front with agents. Lay it out on the line, saying something like, "I have something pretty special here as you can see. We are more than ready to take on the LA market and are willing to move here once the girls are getting work and moving in the right direction. Are you willing to work with us and help us get opportunities while still living outside the area?". I have been successful with that approach and then don't have to have that sick feeling like I am hiding something.

[idtwinsmom]

fileybelle, on Jan 10 2008, 08:37 PM, said:

This is a very positive approach and shows that you are enthusiastic to find suitable opportunities, yet in addition are a realist about what is out there and how other parties may wish to work with you, being flexible and open minded to other forms of work and more regional offers is also a good way to get your foot on the ladder and first jobs added to that all important resume and will show other a current working record when seeking the bigger things!
MIKE!

Thanks Mike! We are hoping to make our final decision on an LA manager and agent this pilot season. We are spending the summer in LA this year also. Branching out to the big markets while living in a small one is a challenge, each of us has to find the way that works for us. Yes, it is very smart to work your local smaller market, get some experience under your belt so to be more marketable when approaching the "big time". My girls have a pretty hefty resume, especially considering they live in a small market and are only 7 years old! If you have what they want, those big agents/managers will be willing to work with you. And by being honest about where you live, they can help you with those details. The agent will appreciate that honesty and will be in a better position to work with you and your circumstances.

This post has been edited by idtwinsmom: 10 January 2008 - 06:10 PM

[Katrinka]

For example : for me...I live in Latvia. From 2004. we are EU residents. But nothing changed. Only prices increased (crazy)! To go to America - U need a visa, that could not be given by Am.ambas.- but thats complicated...but possible. at the moment all U can do is to stay here:( In Latvia showbusiness doesnt exist at all..market is very small..honorars are minimal( nobody wants to pay good cash for your performance)....its so ashame... no agencies -we have that could help to develope...All modeling agencies -are escort services...dancers, singers - even worse...All U can do is to p[erform on corporate events...or as a go-go dancer in nightclubs, bars...
....what actually i do...
Ashame....

[kami007]

I live in Poland and there is the same situation as it's in Latvia. There is no chance for talented people to develope. It's sad because there is a many people who have a great talent. That's why I'm here. I want to catch my chance and put over my dreams. That's not easy but i will make it:) I wish all of you to reach outlined goals.

[iLoveTheMatches]

I live in Florida.
How much does it usually cost to get an agent?