You already know Backstage is the go-to for any and all information pertaining to your craft. But now, you have the chance to get in on the action with the Backstage Community Forum. Here, you can engage with others in your industry, as well as teachers, experts, and, yep, even agents and casting directors. Below are some of this week’s most interesting new topics; drop a reply or post a new thread. Either way, fire up that keyboard and get involved right here!
Trouble getting auditions?
“Hi guys, I’m a little bit confused at what I should do. I’m a represented actor, I’ve had some auditions this year, but lately it’s been excruciatingly slow, and I know it’s not a slow time because my acting friends are all running circles around me. They’re booking TV series and landing auditions almost every other week. I asked my agent for the list of projects I’ve been submitted for and I am being submitted often, I’m just not getting interest from casting directors.
“So, how do I know if that reason is because of me or because of my agent? If my agent is submitting me, they’re doing their job, right? So I’m assuming that maybe I’m not pulling enough of my weight? Or is there more my agent should be doing for me besides submitting me?” —Xeldin01
Submitting for projects when you have an agent?
“Hey gang, I recognize it’s fairly slow right now for all (especially my fellow caucasian women), and I’ve been trying to be a bit more proactive about submitting myself for projects. But I recently signed with an agency, and am not sure what the rules are about submitting/not submitting when someone else is also already sending you in for things? What are the rules here? Do I not submit myself? Do I only show up to open calls?” —246Odone
Which agency and when? Too soon for CAA?
“Ok so I just recently signed with a talent manager here in New York, and she’s great! She’s helping me as a manager should, and scouting agencies to find me an agent. I’ve worked quite a bit in the past, and have a somewhat decent résumé, but by many I would still be considered green.
“I’ve had a picture in my mind for YEARS about what milestones I want to hit with my career, one of which is signing with CAA. I can’t tell you why, but it has always been in my mind’s eye, and I have come to learn to trust that vision. Magical and serendipitous things have really happened when I trust that instinct and vision. Which brings me to my current dilemma:
“Recently an entertainer I follow on Instagram posted a photo of him and his agent, and he tagged her. So I followed the link to see who she was and the account was private. I noticed that we had three people in common who we follow; two were celebs and one was a good friend of mine. I asked my friend how she knew her and she says that they went to school together, and she is the sweetest and nicest person ever, and she really liked her. I googled this agent and found out she is an agent at none other than my dream agency, CAA. I told my friend this and she said that’s awesome, and she didn’t know that she was in the industry. My friend offered to reach out to her and give me a reference saying that I’m looking for representation…” —ConorHughes
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