How to get jobs in other cities

Sun, 24 June 2012, 10:12 pm

musicalc8 posts in thread

Hi. I am an aspiring actor from overseas and currently with a talent agency in Sydney. I have done some extra jobs for TV shows and commercials and think I'm enjoying this very much and would like more of it. I heard Melbourne has many jobs as well as Brisbane, and I am willing to travel to those cities for the right opportunities. Since my agent doesn't really chase after jobs outside of Sydney, however, I had thought about contacting local talent agencies in those cities UNTIL some people in this forum mentioned that it's best to stay with just one. So, I'm asking for your suggestions as to what to do to get more jobs not only in Sydney but also in other major cities across the country, without upsetting my agent or blacklisting myself. Is it okay to send my details to casting agencies/consultants in each city while mentioning who my agent is? If I get a job from them directly instead of through my agency, do I still need to let my agency know of it and ask them to act on my behalf? (and pay that 10% commission, I suppose???) I also thought about Showcast but I can't really afford the registration fees. For any of you out there who joined the website, did you have to pay the fees or did your agency take care of it? Thank you! =)

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musicalcSun, 24 June 2012, 10:12 pm

LabrugSun, 24 June 2012, 10:29 pm

Assumption

The comment made with regards having just one agent is true within the scope of your agent's range, both in terms of services (Film, TV, Theatre) and Geographical. First, have a chat with your agent and determine if they can find out about jobs going in other cities. If they can't then consider either changing to an agent who can or contacting an agent in the other capital. It may be that an agent may not be prepared to put you on their books unless you are locally based, but you won't know that until you ask.

Asking other actors what they do is one alternative, but I would always ask the agent or even the Union first. Are you a Union Member? If so, they can offer advice such as this.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins

musicalcMon, 25 June 2012, 07:20 am

Chat with my agent

Thanks for your comment, Labrug. I actually spoke to my agent, and they told me they sometimes book jobs in Melbourne, Brisbane and some in Perth but only when they were asked by their clients. In other words, they don't take the initiative to find out what's going on in these cities. In your earlier post (http://www.theatre.asn.au/blog/labrug/agents_vs_consultants_the_difference), you mentioned that there are casting consultants who make recommendations to production companies in terms of selecting the right actors for a given job. Is it okay to ask them to have me on their books? Are they the same companies as casting agents? (For this I'm referring to http://www.theatre.asn.au/billboard_bulletins/does_anyone_know_if_you_have_more_than_one_casting_agency. "I audition a lot" wrote something about being on the books of many casting agents) I'm not a Union member, but might consider joining them though unsure if they accept non-Australian members.

LabrugMon, 25 June 2012, 09:12 am

Further

Casting Consultants do not keep books, except in rare and individual circumstances. Casting Consultants are the go-betweens for Production Companies or Directors. Don't hassle a Consultant unless you know they occasionally look beyond agents. In fact, best not to hassle them at all. It might simply annoy them.

To clarify, having a singular agent is considered a polite and ethical practice, but it is not a hard-and-fast rule. Legally, there is nothing to stop you from having more than one. Not all agents cover the same ground in both type and range, as I mentioned before. In these cases, you may find performers whom will have a Theatrical Agent, a Dancing Agent and a Film/TV agent. By definition, as these agents deal with specific key areas, they should not begrudge you having others, unless there can be cross over. However, you can manage this personally if you plan how to deal with such situations.

Taking the example above, Your Theatrical Agent contacts you about a theatrical contract that may utilise your dancing skills. It is possible that your Dancing agent may know about this also. You now need to make a decision and this is the grey area that makes many agents resent the double billing. Now you may be contacted by two agents for the same job which is going to mean one loses out, and legit agents get paid by the job.

In terms of geography, you will be confronted by the same issue and you will need to come up with a plan to handle these when they arise if you choose to get another agent. Maybe you can stipulate to your local agent that you only want them to look for local jobs. Then you rely on the other agent to focus on that city.

Final option, as I mentioned before, is to consider looking for an agent that will look into other cities for you, or maybe an agent that has branches in other cites (few I know but I believe there a couple over there.)

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins

musicalcMon, 25 June 2012, 02:48 pm

Agents

Thank you again, Labrug. Can you tell me what are the names of the agents with branches in other cities? I also think I really need to talk to my agent about this matter but am a little worried they might get upset with me. (If they think I don't trust them 100% in finding jobs for me in other cities)

LabrugMon, 25 June 2012, 03:05 pm

Perth

Being Perth based, I would have to do a little research to find agents. However, one thought I have that you may want to consider is the Casting Site "Show Cast." While they charge a bit for their online services, many casting agents already use them and it is considered THE most legitimate Casting service for Australia (nationwide).

As for talking to your agent, approach them from the mindset that you would like them to continue to represent you and are they able to accomodate your expanded horizons? You never know, they may want to do so for you.

At the end of the day, you are paying them to find work for you so you are hiring them to provide a service. You try and to right by them and they will do their best for you, within their scope. If they are not providing the extent of service you require, you either drop them and find another contact service, or find another contractor that will cover the gaps. It is your career after all, not theirs, that you personally are concerned about.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins

Walter PlingeMon, 25 June 2012, 05:56 pm

Money well spent

A listing on Showcast or Starnow (if you are open to independantly applying for castings) is money well spent in my opinion. Particularly if you are wanting a national profile. Look at it this way, you only need to land about $200 worth of work each year, due to these listings, to cover the yearly registration fees of both sites. Plus with Starnow you have a 24/7 publicly viewable profile. Being involved in the professional acting industry entails some costs. Many are tax deductable. I guess you have to decide how fully you want/ need to commit financially to being a professional actor. Plingette.

musicalcTue, 26 June 2012, 11:02 am

Thank you

Okay. I will have a chat with my agent again and also definitely join StarNow and Showcast! In terms of joining the MEAA, they told me I can join them as long as I have the right to work in Australia. I hope their membership costs are also tax-deductible. Thank you very much for your advice. =)

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