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Happy Tuesday!
Life happens — maybe you missed multiple auditions due to an intense work schedule. Maybe you haven’t been called back on an audition, or you’re one of those actors who ‘forgets’ to book out prior to a quick impromptu trip out of LA.
Now that you’re back and serious about your craft, your talent agent ignores all of your emails and calls. You’re getting those dreadful one-word answers that indicates a strong lack of excitement in representing you.
Here’s how to salvage your DAMAGED relationship with your agent/manager.
1) If you have missed a lot of auditions, provide clarity to the change.
As talent reps, we understand that you have to make money. We have to make money as well, which solely relies on you auditioning and booking the job. If you are now in the clear for auditions, explain to your agent the past issue and provide clarity for the solution moving forward.
2) If you haven’t made it to callbacks in a while, call your agent and strategize.
Maybe you need to switch up your training, or work on your strategy in the room. Circle back with your team and see if there is any feedback that you can get for your next audition. Ask your talent representative for an updated list of coaches you can try out. Proactivity always strengthens relationships in this town.
3) If you know you need to book out in the near future, do so within a 2-week span.
THIS IS SUPER IMPORTANT. Talent reps submit on projects weeks, sometimes months in advance. If we know your schedule — this prevent us from having to pull or decline auditions, which then perturbs casting and can potentially isolate us from receiving their jobs in the future. If this has happened multiple times and you still have an agent or manager, call and let them know that you now understand the severity and will do better in the future.
Like most relationships, a damaged client-agent relationship will take time to revert back to stability. But you can start the ground work today.
Chris Giovanni x
Happy Thursday!
So often we take for granted opportunities, that we miss the true lesson of experiencing them.
Sometimes hearing the word “NO” is exactly what we need for our own personal growth. Maybe you haven’t booked a job in 2 months, you can’t afford training, or your agent just dropped you from their roster.
The following scenarios will help you to channel the good in everything!
“It’s important to analyze the WIN in every situation.”
“You didn’t book the role — next time.”
The Win: You had the rare chance of performing in front of a respected casting director or producer. Chances are, you will be remembered for your great performance. You will be called back for future roles now that you have been cemented into the minds of that casting office.
—
“I don’t have enough money to invest in headshots or training.”
The Win: You’re fortunate enough to have set a major goal for yourself. You know exactly what is needed to help achieve that milestone. While you may not have to funds to do so right away, you will save so that you can align yourself with your career goals.
—
“An agent or manager declined representation. I don’t know what to do”
The Win: You know that you’re at least worthy of being represented. You have an idea of how to approach your next meeting. You now have a feel for the interview process, and will make adjustments to improve on your next big agent meeting.
—
“My agent dropped me post pilot season. I’m no longer being sent out on major films and TV shows.”
The Win: You now have time to reflect on the relationship with your former agent. What were the pros and cons? What did you LEARN from being represented? What casting offices were you exposed to — did you build a relationship with that office INDEPENDENT of that agent?
The importance of thinking positively increases your chances of success for the next time.
Be Happy. Have Fun.
xx Chris Giovanni
Happy Tuesday!
Pilot Season is almost done which means it's time for the industry break!
Auditions will be slow and breakdowns will be few and far between.
NOW is the perfect time to reflect and prepare for the upcoming episodic season 2019! Here are a few awesome tips to help you stay on the right foot!!
1. Review all of your headshots and see if you need any additional looks.
Take a look to see if your shots need updating. It's usually wise for an actor to 're-up' on headshots at least once each season. (Pilot and Episodic) Take away any headshots that didn't perform as well in the prior season.
2. Stay consistent with show pickup updates from The Hollywood Reporter.
Every actor should know which new pilots have been picked up by networks, and which shows have been canceled. The Hollywood Reporter provides groundbreaking updates as it happens. Know your shows. It will help you for auditions in episodic season.
3. If you booked any cool roles during pilot season, add it to your casting profiles.
New season = new footage. Choose your best scenes for your representatives to use on your casting profiles. ESPECIALLY if it's a new show that's just come out. Casting Directors rely on great footage to trust that you can book the job.
4. Make sure to take a vacation and recharge mentally.
It's mentally exhausting having to audition for multiple projects in such a short amount of time. You may have went on 50 auditions and booked 2. Take time to 'recharge your battery' and get back out there when the time is right. You have about one two months to do so!
5. Seek new representation if need be.
If you are not happy with your current team, make the switch and take meetings now. Ask fellow friends for recommendations, or use backstage.com to obtain a list of every current agent/manager in town. As episodic season is a time for most actors to build network credits, you want to be with a team who is motivated and enthusiastic about getting you out for auditions.
Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready!
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Happy Friday!
You have your character-driven headshots, actively training in classes, and have strong clips on your profiles for submissions. Your talent representatives are firing away on submissions, however there is just one thing — you’re not getting that many theatrical auditions!
You may see a co-star or supporting role here and there, but you’re wondering to yourself: WHERE are the guest stars? The recurring work? the leads in films? What can YOU do as an actor to help further your own career that is slipping day by day?
A successful acting career not only lies in having great talent and material, but in creating genuine relationships in this town. Even as a talent manager, I have to maintain great relationships with casting directors, producers, directors — even make-up artist and hairstylist to secure opportunities not easily made available to me.
“As an actor, you have to keep your ear to the ground, know the right people, and make your OWN career happen.”
How do you network with industry professionals and build your relationships? Simple. You expose yourself to new events. You get involved with the SAG-Foundation. You engage on social media and most importantly, you leave an AMAZING performance in the audition room so casting remembers you for future jobs to come.
What do relationships have to do with acting? Often times, there are projects that casting directors, producers, and directors get weeks, sometimes MONTHS before it’s released to the public.
Even better, if you know writers directly — you may even have a role written for you in mind! You’re invited to events, you’re kept in the loop which contributes to the enhancement of your career!
Keep networking. Keep building. Your time is coming!
xx Chris Giovanni
Happy Sunday!
One of the more common questions that I often receive is exactly HOW to build a great relationship with your talent agent or manager. Most actors sign with an agent and have absolutely no idea on how to genuinely build a successful relationship. Out of sight, out of mind and then eventually — you’re dropped from their roster.
The key to an effective partnership with a talent rep is simple — communication. It’s a 50-50 partnership that requires both sides of the scale to be level. The following tips will help you to balance out your relationship with your team and further your career at light speed:
1. Effectively communicate your career goals at the beginning of the contract.
The moment that you are presented with a new agreement, take some time to create a list of career goals to send over:
Do you want to book a co-star in the first 2-months?
Do you enjoy public speaking and want to set up a small event?
Do you want to put out a 3 track EP by a certain time frame?
Are you in the first draft of a script? Do you need assistance with revisions?
Communicating your goals not only sets the foundation early in the partnership, but will instantly trigger in your team that you’re serious about making it in Hollywood. A closed mouth doesn’t get fed.
2. Provide your team with what is needed to get their job done.
Occasionally check in with your talent reps to see if there is anything that you need to update. Headshots, clips on your profile, maybe a new recorded track to help shop to music labels around town. Before pointing at your team for the lack of movement in your career, make sure that you are doing your part to make it easy on them!
3. Be mindful of which updates are worth sharing!
Agents and Managers operate differently in Hollywood. Some appreciate ALL updates, some only prefer updates that help them to do their job. Some great examples of updates to share with a talent rep: New relationships with industry professionals, new updates to material, (headshots, clips, etc.) invites to shows are great, INCREASE in social media engagement, new skills and languages learned, etc.
Don’t get carried away with updates. Wait until your relationship is strong enough with your reps to share other details that may not be as important.
4. Request calls and emails in duration.
Going hammer time on the phone is not the best way to build a relationship with your team, especially for things that lack urgency. Before emailing or calling for advice, gauge the importance of your question. Does it really require a phone call or email? Can I figure this out myself from a quick google search? Be resourceful before throwing in the towel!
5. Most importantly, DO YOUR PART!!!
Talent reps DREAM of a proactive client. The client who goes the extra mile to build personal relationships with casting. That outsources their own auditions. That sets studio time and invites the manager or agent to come listen and provide feedback. We should never be blindsided by anything because we already know what’s in the works. Every time we speak, there should be new updates from your end, and vice versa. If you’re just sitting at home waiting for auditions, that will be your career.
As always, feel free to send me any questions you have & I’ll tackle them!
With love,
Chris Giovanni xo
Happy Tuesday Talent!
I hope everyone is having a great day landing roles and building your showbiz careers! I wanted to write a quick article on a question that I have gotten over 50 times in the last two days alone! Fact is, there is a lot of talent that don't know the difference between Talent Managers and Talent Agents! Both are very vital to your career in showbiz. Pay attention and feel free to ask me any questions in the comment section below. :)
Talent Agents
A Talent Agent is a person who is hired to find you jobs in the entertainment industry. Agents generally work for an agency that can represent as many as 100-1000 clients. An Agents sole purpose is to take your material, (Headshots, Reels, Resume, Snapshots, etc.) and attempt to find you as much work as they can within your type cast. They are not responsible for investing anything in your career whatsoever. Due to the overwhelming amount of clients and deadlines most agents have, don't be alarmed if you haven't heard from them in a couple of days, or weeks. They will generally only call if work is to be discussed.
Talent Agents are regulated and must be licensed and bonded in their states of residence. General contract terms can be anywhere from 1-3 years. A reputable talent agent should take anywhere from 10-15% of your income. Anything higher should be accompanied with an academy award and a crown! It is also very important to do research on who you plan to work with: Analyze their roster and credits.
A common misconception with agents in Hollywood is that once you're signed: You'll get jobs coming in every second. NEGATIVE. The industry is VERY fluid. You'll have times where you're booking 3-4 times a month, and then you'll have periods where you book absolutely NOTHING. It happens. That's where a great talent manager comes in.
Talent Managers
Talent Managers are the "meat and potatoes"of your entertainment career. We handle the overall direction and make decisions in the best interest of furthering your career. Unlike Talent Agents, Talent Managers are not regulated by the state. On a typical day, Talent Managers do all of the following:
Handle business matters and negotiate contracts.
Arrange auditions with notable contacts, agents, and casting directors.
Submit you for roles that fit your typecast or character background.
Advise you on your casting material, providing references to industry professionals.
Give stellar advice on personal career tips, as well as build a personal relationship with you.
Public Relations -- Your image is everything in show business.
Provide Career Advice and direction at all times -- You should never feel stuck if you have a talent manager.
Create side jobs and produce branding project to help further you in your career.
The list of work goes on! Generally, a personal talent manager can carry as low as 5-20 clients on their roster. There is a lot that goes into an entertainment career, and the more clients we have means less time for you. Talent Managers are the extra pull when an agent is having a hard time selling you. Most reputable talent managers take anywhere from 10-15% of your entertainment income and contracts can range between 1-3 years. Talent Managers have the ability to take your career to the next level.
Which one is right for me?
Most of my applicants are just starting out and the idea of having a talent agent and/or talent manager is beautiful. Often times, they have no idea the difference of either.
The answer depends on where you're at currently in your career.
Most talent managers and talent agents will not invest in beginning talent, that's just facts. Unless you're the next Leonardo Di Caprio with amazing talent, we're not interested.
Both can have outstanding effects on your career and it's really a personal decision. If you have any further questions, feel free to comment or email me personally (contact@chrisgiovanni.com)!
Every day I decipher through hundreds of casting submissions looking for my next star. Some emails range from 10 seconds, others may take me 3 WEEKS to make a formal decision. I can tell when someone is serious about the business just from the email they send in.
The following are some of the common mistakes most aspiring talent make in their casting submissions. Take notes and implement these tips with your next email!
You say: "Hello, my name is (insert name here), I am a model, actor, dancer, singer, photographer, filmmaker, designer, and gymnast.
We Think: Good God. This applicant has no idea what they want to focus on career wise. Possible lack of time management skills? Too much going on!
Solution: When sending emails to managers and agents, be very concise. If you're looking for a theatrical acting agent -- LOCATE THEATRICAL agents. "Hello, my name is ______, and I'm an actor seeking theatrical representation." -- cut and clean.
You say: "I've been landing all of my work on my own without the help of a manager and/or agent."
We Think: That's great! Did you make your bed by yourself too?
Solution: This sentence is literally the equivalent of a person saying "Well, I went to the gas station and filled my own tank!" You fill your tank to get from A to B. That's exactly what self-submitting is. You're submitting for roles to get experience and credits to advance your career! Eliminate this from all casting emails.
You say: "I've been scammed before and I hope this is legit."
We Think: This applicant is damaged goods. If they're already doubting us, what is going to happen when we ACTUALLY sign them? Are they not going to take my direction out of the fear of being scammed?
Solution: The industry can become a very shady playing field. Always remember that you are never required to pay anything upfront for representation. As managers, we invest in you. We don't make revenue until you make revenue.
You say: "If you submit me to projects, I am open to traveling to Los Angeles."
We Think: There are thousands of Actors in Hollywood.
Solution: Unless you're a world renowned a-list actor or booking super consistently, no manager or agent is going to take that huge of an investment. Auditions can be very unpredictable. You may receive 2 days notice, or even 30 minutes. Callbacks may be a week later or the next day. The money being wasted to travel could be used towards actually LIVING in Los Angeles. If you don't have the funds to move to Los Angeles at the moment, focus on saving right now and doing small student films. Managers can see your persistence and appreciate it.
You say: "When I was born, I had 3 cats, 2 dogs, and 1 parrot. One was name Eric, One was name Mark, One was name...."
We Think: Is this applicant looking for a manager, or a friend?
Solution: Eliminate the life story and needless information. Managers have hundreds of submissions to get through and your story only take away from your talent. Get straight to the point and attach your casting material.
Here are various tips to make the best of your casting application:
Proof read your email and make sure your links are active. When you sign a contract with CGEM Talent, you become a direct representation of me and my organization. Evaluate your email before submitting. Make sure all of your links work! If your HTML links are invalid, I usually don't bother to ask you to resend.
Resize your pictures. Most agents and manager restrict submissions to a size of 2MB or smaller. Be prepared for emails to bounce back. Play it safe -- keep all photos between 800x1200 at most.
List notable references in your casting email. I'm not saying go on a name-dropping spree, but a few helpful references never hurt anyone!
Provide your FULL contact information! E-mails are great, but there are times I might need quick clarification with an applicant. List every possible way to communicate with you.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions!