I need help finding an agent!

Hi there. As you probably guessed it, yes, I am a teenager. However, I'm no "I wanna get rich and famous and be on telly!" kinda girls though. I am deeply interested in acting professionally, and I would like to take another step towards that career, by getting an agent. I know that there are alot of these sorts of threads, so sorry in advance. But I'm having a little difficulty knowing some good agencies and so on. I'm mostly interested in theatre work, specifically musicals, however, anything would float my boat. So anyone have any advice of which agencies I should send my resume into? I live in Melbourne, I'm fifteen, and I currently only have community and school theatre to my name. I would appreciate any help. Cheerio :)

Sorry guys, this thread wouldn't post, so I clicked it a few times and now I've triple posted.. Forget the other threads, alright :)

Also fj, as you started the duplicate threads, you are able to delete them. www.meltheco.org.au

You looked at the FAQ agency page before even posting this... unfortunately, that's all the info we're likely to give you, since we can't do much more than that. We have various debates from time to time about whether agencies are good and bad, but the truth is that the best list you can find will be at MEAA's website. Do yourself a favour and go back and reread the FAQ. Labrug has provided a very sensible and helpful list of suggestions there. Finger puppet pattern for under $4 at Puppets in Melbourne

alright, although I would appreciate more help.

What kind of help? We can't just... you know, hand you an agent's number and say call them and they sign you up. It doesn't work that way. Furthermore, agencies have reputations, and while some are more notorious than others, each person's experience will differ; so it makes it hard to recommend them. Unfortunately, if you don't do your own legwork, you won't get anywhere. Having said that if you have more specific questions, then do post them. Asking for help and not saying what kind of help you need is kind of pointless. Finger puppet pattern for under $4 at Puppets in Melbourne

Well thanks guys, but I wish some of you would stop being so rude. I understand you get bombarded with alot of these threads, but come on. Okay hows this for a question. I'm 15. Should I still look to be in a childrens agency or adult or both? Also, I want it more to be an acting agency as apposed to a modelling/acting agency.. How do I know the difference?

I'm sorry FJ if you think we (any of us) are being rude. We're not. There is no substitute for doing your own legwork. I have to say that at 15 with no real training or experience behind you unless you can go to an agent with the recommendation of someone that agent knows and trusts you are unlikely to be signed up. Many of us have gone the same route you have, at 16 or so I was trying to get into an acting course. I failed. Do some community theatre and try to get involved in some volunteer capacity in the Fringe, network, meet people. In answer to your last question try a children's agency first, they almost certainly however will insist on you doing one of their courses. That will be worth while as it will teach you acting for thr camera, a completely different skill than stage acting. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

How do you know the difference between an actors agency and an actors/modelling agency? They have models on their books and regularly work with companies that need models (ie. advertisers, fashion, etc.). However this doesn't mean much since many actors are models and vice versa; so you may find models on the books of actors agencies. Do your research on any agency before you sign up, and worry more about their reputation than who they actually represent. Let's face it, doesn't matter if they don't work with models or not, if they have a bad reputation, or you don't feel comfortable working with them, then you shouldn't sign with them. I highly recommend you getting your parents involved with any decisions, to ensure you and them understand your commitments, responsibilities, contracts and the agency's responsibilities. Finger puppet pattern for under $4 at Puppets in Melbourne

QUOTE LOGOS : Do some community theatre I have. I have a supporting role in a show now. And I do have medium amount of experience.. However none professional.

May I suggest this then: The Melbourne Fringe Festival is starting very very soon. If you have time, find some shows you'd be interested and attend them. You can then meet and greet people who produce their own shows (Melbourne is a fringe theatre town after all), and build some contacts before you leave school. There are any number of small pro groups out there who will always be auditioning young up-and-comers. Additionally, there are heaps of indie film makers (or student film makers) who generally want extras and/or actors for speaking roles. Once you leave school, I highly recommend applying for a local or interstate acting course. Unfortunately, it's extremely difficult to get a pro role even with an agent at your age, so making contacts, doing am/profit share shows, and getting involved in local events is about all you can do. Next year, when the comedy festival happens, I highly recommend doing some volunteer work. Even though you end up doing 'boring' stuff like front of house, you get to see shows for free (sometimes) and meet a lot of people who are in the know. Additionally, talk to your school and see if they can set up some extra/curricular work experience with a local company. It can often be invaluable links. Don't underestimate doing vollie work with pro companies; I've met most of the people involved in the larger companies in Melbourne that way. Whereabouts are you in Melbourne? Perhaps I can suggest some places/people to talk to... Finger puppet pattern for under $4 at Puppets in Melbourne

Thank you. That is what I needed to know. I will get ahead on all of those things. However, I will be overseas for almost all of the comedy festival next year. Which is a huge shame. And what is "vollie" work? And how can I do some? Ps I live in east melbourne. thanks again

Well, sometimes it helps to say so (there's a great saying in theatre: If we were mindreaders, we wouldn't need headsets) :) Shame, comedy festival is pretty huge... so's the fringe, but it's a bit late now to sign up for volunteer work, (vollie is short for volunteer) but it's still a good time to check out shows and meet the people involved afterwards. If you see a show and want to get involved with the group, many performers hang out after their show to chat with friends, family and audience members. Again, at your age, it's unlikely you'll get an audition, but building contacts ready for when you leave school is a good head start. Generally any theatre company will need volunteers at any stage of the year. Generally volunteers do 'grunt' work (ie. all the boring stuff), but it's recommended because a) you get to meet all the important people, b) it is excellent experience anyway and looks good on your resume and c) it means you get your face in front of the people who will need actors in the future. ... In east Melbourne eh? Off the top of my head, there is Red Stitch in Carlton, Chapel off Chapel in Prahran. If you're willing to head more into town, check out 45downstairs, Arena Theatre Company (Nth Melb). As I said, Melbourne is a fringe town, so your best bet is to find some new up-and-coming group and hook in with whatever they happen to be doing. The above will help, but note that these are either venues or full-time pro companies, and won't be asking you to audition; they're just suggestions of who to do volunteer work with. Also, if you haven't already, check out the companies section of this site: http://www.theatre.asn.au/views/companies/10+38+324+325+326+327+328+329+330+331+332+333+334+335 for more places. Finger puppet pattern for under $4 at Puppets in Melbourne

Thank you a lot. I appreciate all that info :) Well next year I will definetly get myself out there and I will try to do grunt work.. I'm sure I'll love it. Anything to get involved. However, in the mean time, I'll still try and look for an agent. Now I suppose it will have to be a television/movie agent, not theatre, since there really aren't [m]any professional shows that would need someone my age. Thanks again for the support!

You're welcome - and good luck! Furry puppet eyes for your next build at Puppets in Melbourne