Translation Needed - What Agents Say, What You Hear, What They Mean!
WHAT AGENTS SAY, WHAT YOU HEAR and WHAT THEY MEAN We've all been there.
That frightening (shouldn't be but is) meeting with an Agent.
And it goes really well, you think.
1-"You're a fun person", they say.
"They like me - I'm in!" you think.
2-"Nice work", they say.
"They thought I was BRILLIANT! That monologue finally worked!" You think.
You're happy, excited! It feels like winning the campaign election for President.
3-"Stay in touch! Let me know when you're IN something.
" It went really well.
"They'll come to my showcase and send me out!" You think.
4-"Leave a few pictures/resumes- we'll see what we can do.
" "Wow!" "I've GOT AN AGENT!" You think.
5-"Really nice to meet you.
Thanks for coming.
" "They're going to send me out- Yay!!!" Then you never hear from them...
like foreeeevvveerrr.
You send a post card a month later and another and another and leave unanswered phone messages.
Then you start badmouthing them.
"My agent's really lousy.
" What's wrong with this picture? You are misconstruing what Agents are really saying.
#1-"You're a fun person!" "They like me- I'm in!" TRANSLATION: No, you're not.
Just because you wanted it to happen you took a few things for granted.
A pleasant conversation is not AN OFFER for MARRIAGE or AGENT REPRESENTATION.
The Venus /Mars confusion with Men and Women when dating is the same thing with agents.
Pleasantness doesn't equate acceptance.
How to fix it: Develop the relationship until they DO LIKE you and sign you.
# 2-"Nice work!""They thought I was BRILLIANT! They'll represent me.
TRANSLATION: Appreciation for your audition does not mean that you were that good.
Does that mean my audition was bad? No.
It means it was OK.
Not brilliant.
And even if it was brilliant, there are other factors at work besides your audition.
Perhaps they just need to see more of your work, get to know you better or find out if you're booking paying jobs.
How to fix it: Get better and better and let them know that you are BOOKING paid work all the time! #3 - "Stay in touch...
let me know when you're "in something".
It went really well, you think.
TRANSLATION: It didn't really go that well.
The agent may have enjoyed talking to you but had no intention of representing you at THAT time.
If so, they would have said so.
Why won't they work with you? A myriad of reasons: *They have one or several clients who are within your age, range and appearance.
*They don't really want you as a potential client-but they were being polite and courteous.
*They don't think you have enough credits and/or training.
*They don't believe that if they sent you out, you would "book" the job- any job.
They perceived: a nervousness, lack of energy, lack of comfort, or a "you're not ready to compete- you're too green" quality in you! "My two other clients in your range would book the role- you wouldn't!" How do they know that? That's their job.
They liked your work but your general presentation-this is painful but read on- your hairstyle, make-up, wardrobe choice, shoes (yes!!!), head shot, resume, jewelry (lots)...
all make an overall "presence".
If an agent senses that you don't know how to look great they don't want to send you out looking like "that".
Talent aside, you're not paying attention to your grooming or clothing and it could be the final and FATAL factor against you.
Long story short: I had a client a few years ago who wore "Wellies" (rubber boots) on a rainy Manhattan day and a scruffy rain coat over soggy jeans and a sweatshirt.
Perfect outfit for a Manhattan Monsoon-they always happen on a Friday afternoon when traffic is bad, subways are stalled or flooded, people are grumpy and you can't get a cab for your life.
Anyway, this was a pretty girl who should have been wearing a sexy dress, elegant suit with heels or dressy skinny pants, silky top- all the wardrobe for the kind of roles she would book in Prime time TV and Films.
Because it was raining cats and dogs she could have thrown a nice outfit in a waterproof backpack (or tried to get a cab), changed in the ladies room and shown up like a "star" at this major league agent's office.
Instead she was in wellies and sloppy "day-off" clothes.
The agent took one look and said, "NO.
" Maybe it was just a bad day but agents in general assume that if that's how you look when meeting them, that's how you'll go for EVERY AUDITION.
EEK! They will not follow up and get you an audition or represent you full time.
Who can blame them? How to fix it: As an A list agent told me, "...
Always look like a Movie star- then you can't go wrong!" # 4 - "Leave a few pictures/resumes- we'll see what we can do.
" "Wow!" "I've GOT AN AGENT!" You rejoice! TRANSLATION: No, you don't.
They're NOT going to be your agent.
Did they offer to represent you by saying, "I WANT TO REPRESENT YOU- signed or Free-lance"...
? Did they whip out a contract and sign it in front of you?" NO.
"We'll see...
" is not an offer.
So, they are NOT your agent.
It is a delusion- yours- that they are.
If something screams "YOU" on a breakdown and they've already sent their best clients first with no callbacks, Then, they'll call you.
This presupposes that you are a very memorable, distinct type that they will remember weeks and months later.
It's a hit or miss relationship.
Random calls or none at all.
How to fix it: Develop the relationship.
Let them know you are out auditioning all the time and BOOKING work.
You'll hear from them! #5- "Really nice to meet you.
Thanks for coming.
" "They're going to send me out- Yay!!!" TRANSLATION: Courtesy is a sign of a professionalism not a sign of professional commitment.
You could have made a really bad impression but most agents would politely show you to the door.
Are they being dishonest and hypocritical? No, they're sparing your feelings.
That's what politeness means.
It's being considerate.
No agent in their right mind wants an angry, hurt, tearful or sobbing actress standing in their office upset that they couldn't get signed that moment.
They are also protecting their good name and professional license, their franchise.
Another long story short:A friend who owns her own talent agency was sued by a woman who was politely asked while standing in the agent's office, " Have you considered updating your head shot and/or your image?" That was the innocent question my friend asked.
The 300 pound woman of a different racial background sued for racial discrimination, fat/weight discrimination and sex discrimination claiming the agent would have represented her if she was: thin, white and a male.
She lost.
But my friend was out $50,000.
00 because of the lawsuit and ALMOST lost her agency franchise- her entire career and income! That is why agents are polite.
They do not want a difficult client or an hysterical scene in their office during work hours nor do they want to disappoint a potential client they LIKE if they can't represent them at that time.
So, they are professional and polite.
Another day, another time.
How to fix it: Professionally show them that you are ready to work with a high level agent.
Get your tools up to speed, your "image", your audition technique, increase your bookings and join the unions.
GOOD NEWS? I've heard of so many stories where 3 months, 6 months even two years later- an agent who nixed a potential client signed them AFTER they had - gotten more training, more credits, better marketing tools, a better interview technique AND lost weight while getting into shape! Speed up the entire process.
Work with a Marketing Coach.
All's well that ends well! In the meantime, find the right translation...
and persist! Successful Marketing! Gwyn
That frightening (shouldn't be but is) meeting with an Agent.
And it goes really well, you think.
1-"You're a fun person", they say.
"They like me - I'm in!" you think.
2-"Nice work", they say.
"They thought I was BRILLIANT! That monologue finally worked!" You think.
You're happy, excited! It feels like winning the campaign election for President.
3-"Stay in touch! Let me know when you're IN something.
" It went really well.
"They'll come to my showcase and send me out!" You think.
4-"Leave a few pictures/resumes- we'll see what we can do.
" "Wow!" "I've GOT AN AGENT!" You think.
5-"Really nice to meet you.
Thanks for coming.
" "They're going to send me out- Yay!!!" Then you never hear from them...
like foreeeevvveerrr.
You send a post card a month later and another and another and leave unanswered phone messages.
Then you start badmouthing them.
"My agent's really lousy.
" What's wrong with this picture? You are misconstruing what Agents are really saying.
#1-"You're a fun person!" "They like me- I'm in!" TRANSLATION: No, you're not.
Just because you wanted it to happen you took a few things for granted.
A pleasant conversation is not AN OFFER for MARRIAGE or AGENT REPRESENTATION.
The Venus /Mars confusion with Men and Women when dating is the same thing with agents.
Pleasantness doesn't equate acceptance.
How to fix it: Develop the relationship until they DO LIKE you and sign you.
# 2-"Nice work!""They thought I was BRILLIANT! They'll represent me.
TRANSLATION: Appreciation for your audition does not mean that you were that good.
Does that mean my audition was bad? No.
It means it was OK.
Not brilliant.
And even if it was brilliant, there are other factors at work besides your audition.
Perhaps they just need to see more of your work, get to know you better or find out if you're booking paying jobs.
How to fix it: Get better and better and let them know that you are BOOKING paid work all the time! #3 - "Stay in touch...
let me know when you're "in something".
It went really well, you think.
TRANSLATION: It didn't really go that well.
The agent may have enjoyed talking to you but had no intention of representing you at THAT time.
If so, they would have said so.
Why won't they work with you? A myriad of reasons: *They have one or several clients who are within your age, range and appearance.
*They don't really want you as a potential client-but they were being polite and courteous.
*They don't think you have enough credits and/or training.
*They don't believe that if they sent you out, you would "book" the job- any job.
They perceived: a nervousness, lack of energy, lack of comfort, or a "you're not ready to compete- you're too green" quality in you! "My two other clients in your range would book the role- you wouldn't!" How do they know that? That's their job.
They liked your work but your general presentation-this is painful but read on- your hairstyle, make-up, wardrobe choice, shoes (yes!!!), head shot, resume, jewelry (lots)...
all make an overall "presence".
If an agent senses that you don't know how to look great they don't want to send you out looking like "that".
Talent aside, you're not paying attention to your grooming or clothing and it could be the final and FATAL factor against you.
Long story short: I had a client a few years ago who wore "Wellies" (rubber boots) on a rainy Manhattan day and a scruffy rain coat over soggy jeans and a sweatshirt.
Perfect outfit for a Manhattan Monsoon-they always happen on a Friday afternoon when traffic is bad, subways are stalled or flooded, people are grumpy and you can't get a cab for your life.
Anyway, this was a pretty girl who should have been wearing a sexy dress, elegant suit with heels or dressy skinny pants, silky top- all the wardrobe for the kind of roles she would book in Prime time TV and Films.
Because it was raining cats and dogs she could have thrown a nice outfit in a waterproof backpack (or tried to get a cab), changed in the ladies room and shown up like a "star" at this major league agent's office.
Instead she was in wellies and sloppy "day-off" clothes.
The agent took one look and said, "NO.
" Maybe it was just a bad day but agents in general assume that if that's how you look when meeting them, that's how you'll go for EVERY AUDITION.
EEK! They will not follow up and get you an audition or represent you full time.
Who can blame them? How to fix it: As an A list agent told me, "...
Always look like a Movie star- then you can't go wrong!" # 4 - "Leave a few pictures/resumes- we'll see what we can do.
" "Wow!" "I've GOT AN AGENT!" You rejoice! TRANSLATION: No, you don't.
They're NOT going to be your agent.
Did they offer to represent you by saying, "I WANT TO REPRESENT YOU- signed or Free-lance"...
? Did they whip out a contract and sign it in front of you?" NO.
"We'll see...
" is not an offer.
So, they are NOT your agent.
It is a delusion- yours- that they are.
If something screams "YOU" on a breakdown and they've already sent their best clients first with no callbacks, Then, they'll call you.
This presupposes that you are a very memorable, distinct type that they will remember weeks and months later.
It's a hit or miss relationship.
Random calls or none at all.
How to fix it: Develop the relationship.
Let them know you are out auditioning all the time and BOOKING work.
You'll hear from them! #5- "Really nice to meet you.
Thanks for coming.
" "They're going to send me out- Yay!!!" TRANSLATION: Courtesy is a sign of a professionalism not a sign of professional commitment.
You could have made a really bad impression but most agents would politely show you to the door.
Are they being dishonest and hypocritical? No, they're sparing your feelings.
That's what politeness means.
It's being considerate.
No agent in their right mind wants an angry, hurt, tearful or sobbing actress standing in their office upset that they couldn't get signed that moment.
They are also protecting their good name and professional license, their franchise.
Another long story short:A friend who owns her own talent agency was sued by a woman who was politely asked while standing in the agent's office, " Have you considered updating your head shot and/or your image?" That was the innocent question my friend asked.
The 300 pound woman of a different racial background sued for racial discrimination, fat/weight discrimination and sex discrimination claiming the agent would have represented her if she was: thin, white and a male.
She lost.
But my friend was out $50,000.
00 because of the lawsuit and ALMOST lost her agency franchise- her entire career and income! That is why agents are polite.
They do not want a difficult client or an hysterical scene in their office during work hours nor do they want to disappoint a potential client they LIKE if they can't represent them at that time.
So, they are professional and polite.
Another day, another time.
How to fix it: Professionally show them that you are ready to work with a high level agent.
Get your tools up to speed, your "image", your audition technique, increase your bookings and join the unions.
GOOD NEWS? I've heard of so many stories where 3 months, 6 months even two years later- an agent who nixed a potential client signed them AFTER they had - gotten more training, more credits, better marketing tools, a better interview technique AND lost weight while getting into shape! Speed up the entire process.
Work with a Marketing Coach.
All's well that ends well! In the meantime, find the right translation...
and persist! Successful Marketing! Gwyn
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