ASK AARON - August 1999 Answer
Last Month's Column:
Why is height emphasized so much in modeling?
Next Month's Column:
Tags: agent classes
Looking for agents, modeling agencies, and casting directors in the Florida area? Visit the Agent Directory's list of agents for Florida.
From Julie, FL
I've found some agents who are only interested in you if you take their classes. Should I work with them? I would love to break into commercial, etc., but I am not sure where to go from here.
Dear Julie:
It is one thing for an agent to offer or refer you to classes, but to not work with you unless you take their classes is not cool. As a matter of fact, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) does not allow any franchised agents (they are agents who have signed contracts with the union, and have agreed to abide by union rules) to have a school. They believe it could be a conflict of interest – in order to work with us you must take our classes.
People who purchase my book will get the National Directory of SAG and AFTRA Offices (the other union for actors) free. You can call the SAG office closest to you and ask them for a list of the signatory agents in your area, and they will give you that list free. There are 600 franchised agents in the United States.
You can also try to market yourself and get work on your own. I go into much more detail in my book, but one thing to do is to send your head shots and composite sheets to all the photographers and art and creative directors at advertising agencies in your area.
Stumble It!