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!
My agent won’t return my calls.
“Hi there. I am in desperate need of an answer regarding a pretty exhausting and stressful situation. I worked on a project as a main actor and haven’t gotten paid yet. I am nonunion, so I understand this puts me in an unfavorable position. However, it’s been nearly two months, and I have tried to contact my agent with no response. This has also gone on for nearly two months. I have sent countless emails and voicemails to various people at the agency with no response, and I haven’t gotten any work from them since this project.
I know certain months can be slow, but November and December were completely dead. I find it very hard to believe there weren’t any auditions I could submit to during these last two months. Should I just find another agent? Should I contact the production department? I don’t want to give myself a bad name or ‘ask too many questions’ and become a bother. But this is very serious to me and something I cannot just ‘submit to and let take its course.’ It’s all very frustrating, and I don’t want to let it get the best of me and potentially harm any professional relationships.” —Jamesenglish777
Getting an apartment while auditioning?
“Hello! I just graduated from college and am looking to get my first apartment. I was tempted to get a short-term lease, as this would allow for more flexibility with auditions and hopefully getting a gig somewhere in case I need to move, but there are so many less options. Does anyone have any advice for this? Could I sublet an apartment or end a lease early if I end up booking something?” —singer56
Dance submissions and studio rentals?
“Hi, fellow dancers,
How are we all handling online submissions at this stage in the pandemic? Vocal videos can be done in an apartment, but so many of these virtual audition dance combos are impossible to do well or professionally in a small space (aka an apartment). Continuing to rent studio space for every single audition—that might not even get viewed—feels so unsustainable, though. How are you handling this? Are most of us just continuing to hemorrhage money for studio rentals?” —INeedAJobZach
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