Models and now days most every established singer will act during some stage of their careers. Some singers get their start as an actor then leverage that popularity to jump into music world while others dominate their niche as a singer and then are requested to act in movies. Regardless of why you tab into the acting industry you are going to want find a great agent who can guide you into the BIG GIGS!
So to help you navigate through the waters of the acting business I interviewed one of Stewart Talent’s top agents, Steve Maihack, and posed the questions that will help you get signed by an agent to explode your career.
Q. You get approached by 1000′s of actors trying to find an agent. What is the best method to get your attention?
Actors are a business and as a business they need to know how to market themselves. Actors when they meet with me need to know exactly what they are talking about…they need to know what roles they perform best and how we should market them. In addition, the first contact that you have with me, we need to have something exciting to talk about. That something exciting can be the fact that you are a Miss New York, or that you had a spot in a major film or something else that I can leverage to get you more gigs.
The Right Way to Send a Resume
Q. What is the right way to send an acting resume to your office?
Stewart Talent is trying to be Green so we want to use the least amount of paper as possible. Whenever, I meet a talent I always give my email address to make that access possible. In addition they can also go through the StewartTalent.com and attach their headshot and resume.
Even more than being Green this methodology is about strategy. Do to the fact that I receive so many acting resumes I need to leveraging technology in order to look at more resumes quicker and save me time.
Q. In the sea of applications that you receive how in the world do you narrow down which actors you follow up with and who you do not?
Sometimes it comes down to looking at our clients finding an ethnic balance or a gender balance. This is a business very much like a traditional brick and mortar business that you will find on the street. They order more products when their inventory is low, and we in similar fashion “order” more actors when the demand for roles increases. In addition to needing that balance we also study trends of our industry. So if we notice a spike in the industry for actors of a particular build, race, look or even some that carry a particular sound then we will boost our inventory to capture more jobs for our actors.
Do Postcards Work?
Q. There is a lot of talk in the marketing for actors industry about mailing out postcards to agencies with actor information on it. Are postcards effective?
You will never get a job through a postcard. Personally I think that introducing yourself through postcards is very similar to spam mail. In addition, sending out postcards is a rough strategy that takes the personal aspect away from the actor. As an aspiring actor unless you have a real personal connect with an agent like you have spoken with them on the phone, have emailed them or made personal contact then more than likely those postcards will go in the trash.
Q. So how can actors make those personal contacts with agents like you to open up the door of opportunity?
It’s easy…go to where we are. Go to the open calls, acting seminars and networking events in the city where you are. I know that New York, where I am based, has a lot of them. Some might have a small fee but they can be extremely valuable. Getting an agent is all about a relationship. And really cultivating a relationship takes personal contact and some time. An actor wouldn’t let a random stranger into their house, nor is an agent going to just represent an actor, spending 100’s of hours into their career without first getting to know them. Make’s sense right?
More than that…follow up is critical. I can’t tell you how many people whom I meet that never follow up with me. If you don’t follow up that either shows lack of interest or lack of organization…either way that inaction will not get you signed.
Biggest Pet Peeve?
Q. What is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to aspiring actors trying to find an agent?
Actors who are not prepared! When people come to meet me I assume that they are going to be prepared. I assume that they are at a standard acting level when they meet me meaning that they bring a headshot, resume, and that they have monologue memorized so show me their skill. If they don’t that brings up all kinds of red flags that will bleed into their personal business…their auditions and gigs.
I mean you only have one shot to stand before me. And if you place little emphasis on this meeting then I know that you will place the same value on the one shot auditions and gigs that I get them. The importance that you place on the little things will scream volumes about your character.
How to Become and Actor with Stewart Talent
Stewart Talent has offices located in New York, Atlanta and their mother agency is located in Chicago. To contact Steve Maihack do so through Steward Talent.com and reference this article so that he knows where you come from.
This is extremely important as you can leverage this relationship and information to get your foot into a major agency. Now obviously, just because you read this article and say, “Hey, I saw you on StevenRoddy.com” that you are going to get an appointment or a gig. But, this opportunity does give you a common ground which could open a great door if you have the talent.