Are you with one of those extra agencies? Have you tried Central Casting?
Extra Agency- An agency that concentrates specifically on getting you background work. You pay a fee of maybe $35 (not all of them charge) and they provide you information in how to submit to extra roles. A casting service for extra work.NO!!!!!! I refuse to invest in anything that will permanently get me background work. I didn't move to California to become a professional background artist. Mind you, extra work is a nice little side hustle, if you need quick money (they pay cash, the same day) or just want to get experience on set, but that's it; a side hustle. You do not invest in side hustles.
I have been blessed in having the ultimate experiences with doing extra work, so again I am for it. I did "The Back-up Plan" with Jennifer Lopez, one of my first background gigs, and became SAG Eligible. People usually work as background for years before doing that. Another time I did background work for "Chihuahua: The Move" and was bumped up to a supporting role with lines, several scenes, and a character name. I also worked my butt off on that set making sure the director and everyone else on it knew my name. So there are instances where extra work pays off, but they're extremely rare. I've been blessed.
Do you have an agent?
I do not. I've had two agents that I've had to let go, so I am currently unrepresented. I've heard several people whom I respect very much opinions on this topic and they all vary upon the person. Most say "Focus on Getting an Agent First." They feel as an actor your effort shouldn't be put on finding the gig, rather find an agent who will find the gigs for you. Sounds logical, I don't agree.
I'm a big fan of "Do the Work and the Agent Will Come." You can spend forever trying to get the perfect agent, mean while you haven't done an ounce of acting. I've seen it. I moved to California to act. Acting is the goal! I am submitting to agencies, but acting trumps that. If I hear about a project I want to be in, I focus on getting an audition for that project myself, through the casting director, director, producer, whoever I have to go through. If that means I'm not sending out agency submissions that week, so be it. Acting is the goal! You get enough credits and the agents call you. I doubt Gabourey Sidibe or Lauren London had to bang on too many agents' doors.
When are you going to be on TV?
Well..... Chihuahua: The Movie (starring Anya Benton, Renee Pezzotta, written and directed by Michael Amundsen) is currently at you nearest Redbox for only $1. The sooner you get it the sooner you can see me on your TV. Catch the trailer below...
Also my film Battle Buddy (starring Shoniqua Shandai, Alicia Mitchell written by Satomi Mack and directed it by Gerard McMurray) is screening at the San Diego Black Film Festival. Go see it on the big screen this weekend!.... A little shameless plug, Operation Household Name!! :)
Why don't you just call Tyler Perry? He's always making movies...
*Sigh* Where do I even start with this one? Grandma... if you can get Tyler Perry's phone number, give it to me and I will call him.
I'm thinking about visiting for Pilot Season, can you line me up some auditions?
Bwahahahahahahaha!!! This is my probably my favorite question.... No I will not, but I will put you on to the process of how to get yourself an audition. First, we're going to start with how to get an audition for the "Mom and Pop" pilots. Those are the people who realize it's pilot season midway through so they call up their home boy with a digital camera and decide to write and shoot one in the basement because they've done plenty of music videos before so they figure it can't be that hard.... "Mom and Pop" Pilots because you don't have time for NBC/FOX/HBO/ETC, the audition process for those are at least two weeks long, you're only staying for one. Bummer!
"Mom and Pop" Pilots
First, pay $200 for a headshot. Pay $14 for a casting service account. Pay $30ish to have those photos uploaded on said casting service account. Submit and wait for an audition.... Now you don't have much of a resume because you haven't done any real work in LA, you're just coming out on vacation, buuuuuuuuut this is a "Mom and Pop" pilot so you'll get the audition. Audition and wait for the callback....... Awww snap your vacation is over!
When are you going to move out of your mama's house?
Hmmmm.... well. Would I rather act or get a job, work full time to pay the rent and have absolutely no time to act, then wind up mean and bitter because I'm not doing what I came out here for?.... Act. Plus, I love my mama.
Why aren't you famous yet?
Why aren't you a doctor yet? You been in school for four years now, you ain't doing no surgery yet? You ain't saving no lives? You ain't got no lab coat? Dang girl! What you doing?
Acting is my career. As with any career it takes time. There's years of training, followed by grunt work, and slowly but surely you work your up the ladder. Just because you finally learned who Viola Davis was doesn't mean "The Help" was her first movie. She's put in work! She went to Julliard: 4 years of training. According to her IMDB she's been racking up credits since 1996 and who knows what plays and films she did before then that aren't registered. Stories like Gabourey Sidibe are the very blessed exceptions, not the rule. A career, takes time. Frankly anything long lasting takes time and a huge amount of effort. I want a long lasting career.
Oooo.... have you seen anyone famous yet
*Sigh* Yes Grandma. I've seen Denzel Washington.
Ooooo... next time you see him, you should try and get in his movie.
*Sigh* I will Grandma.
Chihuahua: The Movie Trailer
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