Dear Jackie:
I came to Los Angeles one year ago from France with the crazy but strong intention to become an actress. Like every foreign newcomer, I have to face the problem of the green card. I am not allowed to work in the United States, and so I can't audition for paid gigs.
I wonder if I could find an agent or a manager, because with work may also come a work visa. But something tells me agents and managers are interested in what's in their wallets at the end of the day, and my situation could be a deterrent.
Should I ignore the idea of any kind of representation and drown myself in the Los Angeles River, or should I submit and hope?
-Nadege
Los Angeles, Calif.
Dear Nadege:
I got two very different responses from the agents I queried about your situation. Steve Stevens Sr., agent at The Stevens Group and author of So You Want To Be in Show Business, said, "I personally think it is a waste of time for me to meet someone who is not ready to go to work. Why should I spend my time on that actor when there is a wonderful talent pool out there ready...to act and get paid for it?" Instead of submitting blindly, Stevens suggests you find help. "There are attorneys out there that can help rectify [your situation], so do not get discouraged, and continue to pursue your dream."
Phil Brock, founder of the Studio Talent Group, said, "A manager or agent in conjunction with your legal team can help expedite the proper visa for you. In fact, it is almost essential for you to have representation, as well as that 'firm' offer from a TV pilot or movie, in order to have [the Screen Actors Guild] and the U.S. government sign off on your papers. If your talent is apparent, you should be able to compel either a manager or agent to assist you. Make sure your legal team is set up in advance of your [representation] quest."
While Stevens implies that your lack of a green card is a deterrent, Brock seems to think you have a shot at landing a rep without one--if you have, as he put it, "apparent" talent. The answer to your question is not black-and-white. What seems clear, however, is that you need to contact an immigration attorney, preferably one with entertainment industry experience, for help.
This doesn't mean you can't begin auditioning and submitting yourself to projects or reps. According to SAG, all you need to begin the job hunt is any U.S. visa. Before you could be hired for a job, however, you would need to get a very specific performance work visa. This is true for all paid acting work, whether the production is SAG signatory or not. It's a pain, sure, but it sounds pretty good in lieu of a drowning death. You said your intention was strong. That should be plenty to get you over this hill.
Dear Jackie:
I just finished reading about "Joe," who had a gimmick and no acting experience but wanted to know how to get into the business [Back Stage 1/26/06]. I appreciate your advising him that there are a lot of hard-working actors who are struggling to get work. I am one of them.
I went to acting school, have worked in theatre, done bit parts in TV and film, but, alas, I do not have an agent or belong to a union. I just want to do quality work. At this point I would do anything of quality, but I lean toward theatre. To me pay is a bonus. I am at a crossroads. Getting into a union seems like winning the lottery-talk about a Catch-22.
Do I try to get an agent? If so, what's the best way?
-K. Liesel
New York, N.Y.
Dear K:
I got my share of letters about "Joe" and his gimmick. I know it's frustrating to work hard, "do everything right," and still have so few leads on your career. It can be downright painful to listen to others mention breezily that they intend to join the acting ranks--with no qualifications but their pretty white teeth or some hackneyed gimmick. Try not to let it get you down. Those people are on a completely different path than you and have nothing to do with your success or failure.
I appreciate your desire to do quality work, with or without a paycheck. Most actors feel that way at some point in their careers, although many move into the "need to be paid" phase around the time they get married and have children or take on other obligations. As you mentioned that pay is merely a bonus at the time being, you are in an exciting position. You don't have to worry about getting into a union or landing an agent. You can focus 100% on finding satisfying work.
You mentioned being most interested in theatre. Are you attending Equity open calls? While they are set up for members, nonunion actors are permitted to "crash" auditions. Just check in with the AEA monitor and ask to be seen if there is time. Often you will get to audition during a lull or at the end of the day. You can find AEA open-call audition notices on www.actorsequity.org under "Casting Call" and in Back Stage.
Instead of relying on a rep, research your own opportunities. Check the season listings for theatre companies in American Theatre magazine and on company websites. Submit yourself for projects you think you'd have a knack for. Make sure to include a cover letter explaining your qualifications and interest in the company.
You are of course in the most exciting theatre town in the world. Are you submitting to and auditioning for plays on a weekly basis? Are you in an acting class? Are you involved with a theatre company? The more you do, the more contacts you make and the more attractive you make yourself to agents.
Trust that with an abundance of quality work, an agent and union membership will come in good time. In the meantime, enjoy this phase of your career. Yes, paychecks are good. But this nonunion, free-spirited, work-for-work's-sake phase is one you may miss when it's gone.