Potential agent suggestions for Melbourne actor?

Tue, 27 Sept 2011, 01:26 am

Franklint7 posts in thread

Hi everyone, I have no doubt that posting a request like this here is very unprofessional of me - I'm a hopeful 18-year-old singer and actor thinking of giving professional theatre a go. I've done my fair share of amateur productions, and am planning to now start taking steps towards the professional scene. I've read a number of the great Theatre Australia guides, and so have some idea of the industry and agents. However, I'm based in Melbourne, where there are more theatrical agents than I can count. I've been to the websites of many of the Equity-listed ones, and really can't work out how to tell the reputable from the dis, and the professional from the un. I'm wondering, therefore, if any of you can recommend some good theatrical agents I could use as a starting block, to call while knowing I am getting in touch with a quality agency. If possible, I'd like them to represent performers for musical theatre firstly, and also opera and straight drama. I am also wondering if any headshot photographers can be recommended. I've been to the websites of most of the main web-searchable ones around Melbourne, and most have very artsy sites, with little more than pages and pages of photographs. Considering the price I'd be paying for professional headshots (around $300 in most cases), I'd like to feel confident that I'm going to be satisfied with the result. Thank you all very much for spoon-feeding me in my early stages :). Cheers, Will Pridmore

Help from West

Tue, 27 Sept 2011, 09:37 am

Labrug

Being from the west, I cannot help you directly, and that said, probably would say what I am about to say anyway. If an agent is on the Equity list, you can be pretty much certain that they are at least legit, so no worries there.

Other things you can do is to call them and find out about their application requirements. Having read some of the guff on this site, you should know or be aware of the things to look out for, things that may not get listed on a web site.

You could also look at any talent they may already represent and see what you can find out about them on the net. Or you could do a general Google search for the Agent in question and see if they appear on an Actor's Profile somewhere. You can also use this approach to find out what is being said about the agent. Take all that you read with a grain of salt however as you will have people with grudges and fanatics that may muddy the water a little.

At the end of the day, there is nothing better than talking to people you can see and hopefully trust. Look within your local community of performers and find out whom they are with, what they think, and so forth. Anonymous comments by faceless minions may not provide the advice you seek.

As for headshots, have you ever thought of going to a Photographic School and offering yourself as a subject in exchange for a portfolio?

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins

Looking for an Agent? Read this first!!

Thread (7 posts)

Threaded Flat

Potential agent suggestions for Melbourne actor?— Franklint27 Sept 2011

Help from West— Labrug27 Sept 2011
Hi Jeff, Thanks very much— Franklint29 Sept 2011
Hi guys, An update: I— Walter Plinge6 Dec 2011
- For myself— Labrug6 Dec 2011
Interesting— Walter Plinge14 Dec 2011
- Dependant— Labrug14 Dec 2011

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