ASK AARON - February 2001 Answer
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Tags: agent
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From Jeff, DC
I live in the Washington, DC area, and I want to start working with a New York agent. Should I use a New York answering service? I have been told that agents don't like leaving messages for auditions and go-sees. If the actor does not answer the phone, will the agent simply go on to the next actor that can be reached? Is that true?
Dear Jeff:
All of my New York agents leave me messages. Many New York actors and models do have answering services. The agents will contact one answering service and leave the same information (about an audition or go-see) for many of their clients who use the same service. That makes it easier for the agents.
Keep in mind, it is difficult for an agent to work with people who live out of town. You are expected to go to every audition or go-see they call you for. Most people are not willing to make that commitment. That is why it is hard to work with a New York agent if you do not live near New York.
You can avoid paying for a New York answering service and get an 800 number. It is pretty inexpensive. You can set it up so that agents will use it and the call will go directly to your home. If you are not home then your answering machine will take the message. Make sure you check the answering machine regularly. For an additional fee, you can have the 800 number ring differently than the other phone in your house. Having a distinctive ring will always let you know when your agent is calling. You can also have an 800 number attached to your pager or cell phone.
I could see an agent not leaving a message if they need some people immediately for a job or a last minute audition. They might not have the time to leave messages. But for most auditions and go – sees, the agent wants you to attend the casting and will spend the time leaving all of the necessary information with a service or on your answering machine.
One quick note about answering machines. Make sure you do not leave a long out-going message, or have music playing at the beginning of your message. If it takes too long for an agent to get a chance to leave the information, he or she might hang up and go to the next person on the list.
Have a list of questions for the agent. To help you with questions to ask, simply go to my web site http://www.howtomodel.com and read the entire Agents chapter from my book How to Become a Successful Commercial Model.
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