Young Actors Studio™ – Blog

Breaking into the Acting Business-part 2- avoiding Scams

August 23rd, 2009

Q- I see ads by companies that claim that an aspiring child or teen actor can be “discovered”. Then after auditioning hundreds of people, they ask for $1,500 to $3,000 or more for the “opportunity” to come back for one or two days more. Is that how to get into showbiz?

A- It takes more than attending a local talent search to get discovered. If you really want to be an professional actor in TV & Movies, you first need acting training & some experience to even be considered for a role. There are thousands of professional actors all competeting for these jobs, many who have years of experience and an impressive working resume in the business.

Many of these actors are signed with Talent Agents who then send them out to auditions for acting opportunities in TV and Film, Movies, Commercials. Casting Directors have time to see a limited number of actors before having to then choose an even smaller callback group of maybe a dozen actors to then be seen by the Director and/or Producer of that project. Then after one or more callbacks, the one actor is chosen for the role.

A more typical scenario would be like: A 9 year old child enjoys acting, maybe does a few school or church plays, community theater performances, something along the performing arts for a year or more. Mom decides that “little Jimmy/Jenny” could maybe be in a Commercial, then does some research into looking for a Talent agent in their area. Legitimate Talent Agents won’t ask for any money upfront. They get paid only by a 10-15% commission on any job that child actually books. So if that child isn’t fully prepared to beat the existing competition, the Agent makes nothing. This means that any talent the Agent signs, needs to be well trained as an actor. Agents won’t keep a talent/child signed for a year or more, if they don’t start booking jobs and making the Talent agency money.

The Talent Agency may give the child/teen a list of area acting schools to look into and explore. After they receive training, the Agency may re-audition them again to see if they are up to competive level. The specific acting they will need will provide the child/teen with the acting skills for TV, Film, Movie and commercial acting, since these are the type of jobs that they will be competing for. This will give them the knowledge of not only Acting as different characters but also more specific training on what to do on camera, how to audition/interview, understand and take quick Direction, voice training for camera, cold reading skills and
performing for the screen vs. stage.

When filming a commercial or movie, there isn’t time to “train the actor”. They will be expected when booked for a TV/movie production to know what to do “on set” with Cameras, microphones and lights all within several feet of them. It can be very intimidating to try & perform in this type of setting, with many different factors to contend with and on a time pressure deadline.
It becomes logical why producers will tend to choose actors who have training & experience on sets. With professional careers on the line, budgets to stay within, deadlines and more. Much different than a ” school play”.

Bottom line: Save your $1,500-$3,000 and go get real acting training with a reputable acting studio. ( see Breaking into Acting- part 1, previous blog) It will cost less, you’ll get more and have a chance at a real acting career. It will take longer than a “week-end” talent search or two….but you really didn’t think it was that simple..did you? These expensive week-end talent searches are hoping that you and thousands of others think it is…and is willing to pay big bucks for it! Unfortunately, most people don’t know how the talent/acting industry works…so these groups cash in on that fact.
Also, stay away from groups that “float from city to city”. These stay for a short time, have no real local business address to contact them later for any reason…including getting your money back, if you are a dissatisfied customer. They know this.
What they offer, you can get for very small amount of amount locally. Just do your research. Ask questions, know that you may have to sift through dozens of different ads and google searches to find those few who are reputable professionals in your area.
It’s worth the time and will save you money.

Entry Filed under: Interview with the Director