Why are there so many people that believe "getting an agent" is the answer to their dreams?

I'm a working/experienced actor (female) in NYC. I am now over 40-years-old and have been acting since the age of eight (8).

Many experienced people here, on the YahooANSWERS boards keep telling young people to "get an agent" when they express their wish to be 'famous actors and actresses."

Really?

Reality time, my friends. Let's make this forum a service. Agents do not come when you are living in your small towns, still in school and haven't even done a school play; or even if you have.

Agents are like employment agencies for secretaries. You go in and take a test based on your experience. And when you approach a secretarial agency, you take a typing test and computer software tests based on your former experiences BEFORE you had this agency.

Thus, just like the secretarial business, or any business. You learn the business FIRST. You do school plays, you get your education (basic/required), actors really need great reading skills (you'll read a lot of scripts), you need as much experience as you can get your hands on . . .
School plays
College plays
Community Theatre plays (right there in your small town)
You need to learn: Business (general business)
Acting Technique
Improv
Stage (helps a lot)

You learn and do all of this without an agent. And even us who have degree's in Theatre, have acted in over forty productions on stage, been in student films, etc., etc. do most of that without an agent.

Even established NY and LA actors (not movie star famous, just us hacks who play the best friend or nosy neighbor) -- sometimes do NOT have an agent. You can find some acting jobs in papers such as "Backstage" or "Backstage West", etc.

If it were quick and easy, my friends, we'd all have William Morris Agency and be making blockbuster films. That is not the reality.

So, my question: Why do you believe that "getting an agent" is the answer to your dreams?

Anonymous2010-11-17T05:28:45Z

Favorite Answer

I completely knwo what yu mean. Everyne thinks that just because they get "a agent" will make them famous.
UM CORRECTION- they will get yu AUDITIONS. you have to GET THE JOB. besides.... no ne will hire you if you arent good.

People think that agents are replacements for talent nw but as you said, I am a teen and I've been singing, acting, and dancing since I was 3. I am applying for NYU and I've never had a agent befre.
I run on talent, not laziness.

10

Emms2010-11-17T08:03:02Z

I'm 22, experienced in the amateur theatre world (school, mostly, and community stuff, a couple of professional things) and am currently attending an acting conservatory in England. AND, I'm from New York City (as in, I grew up there.) When I was a kid and decided I wanted to be an actor, the first thing I wanted which I thought was the way to start on the path was to get an agent. Of course, I know better now, but at the time it seemed like a way to do it because, I guess, that would give me an "in" to the professional acting world. I think most younger people who want to act, and don't know how things work, simply see it that way.

20

Theatre Doc2010-11-17T07:42:22Z

Bravo! Well said. Of course the inexperienced believe all sorts of myths about agents--that they get you jobs and make you famous.. Nonsense of course, but so common.a belief that a great many ask how to get an agent before they have ever acted, Tjhey really do not know what an agent doesl Amd of course this is realted to the mythcal belief thay the beginning actor with an agent will be auditioning for the lead roles in films and tv. These people havent the foggiest idea of wtat the actor does when he is not on camera how long they have to stand around doing nothing and the late hours and early rises. It is a hard life. Bujt it looks so easy and fun on the screen--all those action flicks, the adventure, romance, love making, why it looks so easy that I know I can do it.. so of couse they know they can do it and it is so much fun and no work. What could be so easy as fightin', f;lyin".and fornicatin' ii will be vy easy to do all of thees things i am so good atl I don't know who told them thee things, but I know I am very good at them so I can pretend those things are happening to mel We just do then and thecameria is running, right?, Earning a living the easy way. That;s acting Thats what I see on the scene. So how do I get an agent?

21

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