Help!!
Moderator: busybusybusy
Help!!
I don't know what to do! I have an email letting me know about a workshop in London for the Mark Jermin Agency. I showed some interest a few weeks ago about my DD. Its in two days time. Yet she is currently rehearsing for a show in her local area and then there is school as its a weekday! I am not sure what the workshop involves but is says its an hour only. What exactly happens and is it like an audition. Do I wait for the next one which might be after summer. Is this a chance not to be missed or is it like an open workshop and anyone can go who has shown interest. It states take a CV but my DD has only done two shows, and some certificates!!! And we would need to travel down on the train and get it all sorted by Thursday!!Are there other agencies near home I wonder and the main thing are we fortunate to get this and would I be wrong to not go.... She is not that experienced but loves to sing and perform! She is 10.
Re: Help!!
My kids are with Mark jermin and they are very approachable - personally I would phone them and just ask for a few more details - the workshop might be more than just a meet and greet session or if you dont want to miss school ask if they are doing a Saturday one soon? One of my DDs did a Saturday workshop and involved going in groups of similar age and doing improvisation. Re: CV just list what she has done - even school plays, dance shows...etc and anything else that she has experience in eg - excellent swimmer or gymnast or plays a musical instrument!
Let us know what happens - and best of luck...
Tracy x
Let us know what happens - and best of luck...
Tracy x
-
Gatesheadangel
- GRAMMY Award
- Posts: 314
- Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2013 8:42 pm
- Location: North East England
Re: Help!!
My dd was offered the chance to be an extra in a well known series which had been filming for months. They wanted children on the Friday early start, fully licensed and ready to go. It was offered Wednesday afternoon!! This seems to be the way it often works, and if you read some other posts here the agents can get annoyed if you try turning an audition down. Also another Napm said London agents can expect children to turn up demand in London (at your own expense). It made us have a major think about it all and DD ended up with what is essentially a local extras agency, which gives us the flexibilty to choose when/where we go. Good luck with whatever decision you make and keep us updated.
Re: Help!!
Thanks. I feel that my DD is leaning more towards the performing and singing side of things and I'm not sure if its going to be all about acting for her but she doesn't really know. She just loves the whole thing. Is this agency more about the acting. Can they have more than one agent?
Re: Help!!
You might be able to be with an extras agency as well as an acting agency - though most good acting agents will insist on sole representation and may not be keen on extra work. There is no advantage to having more than one acting agency.
There is never only one opportunity for anything. If Mark Jermin can't rearrange the date - then I really wouldn't worry. Just tell them that she is already committed to rehearsals for the show and is not available and ask whether they can invite her to one in the future. If they can't, you can look for alternative agency representation - Mark Jermin's is only one of many (and, from what I can gather, has a LOT of people on the books).
I would think carefully about whether you want to go down this route (agency representation) if you are not in London. How supportive would the school be about her having time off for auditions? Lots of auditions are for things like commercials (though you could decide not to go up for these) and they are often at VERY short notice (and are a complete lottery). Opportunities for professional drama (stage or screen) are few and far between and opportunities for professional Musical Theatre will often depend on height as well as talent! Often children (and adults!) have far more opportunities to perform as amateurs than they do as professionals. How far are you from London? How long would it take you to get there?
There is never only one opportunity for anything. If Mark Jermin can't rearrange the date - then I really wouldn't worry. Just tell them that she is already committed to rehearsals for the show and is not available and ask whether they can invite her to one in the future. If they can't, you can look for alternative agency representation - Mark Jermin's is only one of many (and, from what I can gather, has a LOT of people on the books).
I would think carefully about whether you want to go down this route (agency representation) if you are not in London. How supportive would the school be about her having time off for auditions? Lots of auditions are for things like commercials (though you could decide not to go up for these) and they are often at VERY short notice (and are a complete lottery). Opportunities for professional drama (stage or screen) are few and far between and opportunities for professional Musical Theatre will often depend on height as well as talent! Often children (and adults!) have far more opportunities to perform as amateurs than they do as professionals. How far are you from London? How long would it take you to get there?
Re: Help!!
There are many reputable agents out there, including MJ. So don't feel pressured to move heaven and earth to attend this time around. If they think they can find wok for your DC they will re-schedule or re-invite.
My advice is to do more homework. Put the kettle on, put your feet up, read through these threads and get a thorough understanding of what agents do, which ones are worth considering and - when you have had chance to think about what your DC wants to do - which ones might suit her best.
Bear in mind that having an agent does not guarantee work, but you will be expected to attend auditions at short notice.
There is a fair amount of work available without an agent too, especially in theatre and short films.
If you both decide that agency representation is a good idea, you can put a brief CV together and submit it to the agents you'd like to consider. Each will have their own process but please remember that it's a two way street. If they think they can find work for your DC and you like the way they do business, it's a match made in heaven. If not, walk away because it won't get any better.
And please don't part with money for up-front fees. Spotlight, yes. If you decide to get photos done via a photographer they recommend (once you have decided to sign) yes...within reason. But that's about it.
Finally - read and understand the contract.
Hope this helps - good luck
Deb x
My advice is to do more homework. Put the kettle on, put your feet up, read through these threads and get a thorough understanding of what agents do, which ones are worth considering and - when you have had chance to think about what your DC wants to do - which ones might suit her best.
Bear in mind that having an agent does not guarantee work, but you will be expected to attend auditions at short notice.
There is a fair amount of work available without an agent too, especially in theatre and short films.
If you both decide that agency representation is a good idea, you can put a brief CV together and submit it to the agents you'd like to consider. Each will have their own process but please remember that it's a two way street. If they think they can find work for your DC and you like the way they do business, it's a match made in heaven. If not, walk away because it won't get any better.
And please don't part with money for up-front fees. Spotlight, yes. If you decide to get photos done via a photographer they recommend (once you have decided to sign) yes...within reason. But that's about it.
Finally - read and understand the contract.
Hope this helps - good luck
Deb x
Re: Help!!
I find it hard knowing where to look for Theatre and Music etc. That is why I thought an agent would be the way forward. I only happened to see the show my daughter is in wanting children because the theatre was advertised on their site.