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What is the first actual meeting you will have as a new actor in the Los Angeles film and television community? It is likely to be a general audition with a casting director. This is a meeting that will not be for a role in a current casting project such as a movie or television show, but will be a chance for the casting director to get to know you as a person. They will be judging whether they can use you for something in the future so don’t treat a general audition lightly. Dress professionally, present yourself well, and use the opportunity as a preliminary to a casting call. The casting director will be looking at how well you can chit chat about yourself and your special talents, skills, and abilities. They will be looking for confidence, professionalism, and they will be watching how you present yourself, to see how you will fit in on a working set. They may ask for your marketing material, a picture and resume and perhaps biography if you are not represented by an agent and they don’t have access to that information from your representation. They may need a demo reel, so you should be prepared to have that ready. This is a valuable first step that you should take seriously and not waste! You never get a second chance at a first impression. If you are late or rattled or badly dressed or unprofessional, you will not likely have access to that casting director in the future.

It is essential to have an agent in Los Angeles in order to get in to casting appointments for most major projects in television and film.  Without an agent, it is nearly impossible to get a meeting or casting call unless you have a relationship with the casting director or the director or producer of the project. Read the rest of this entry »