Act Acting » Acting Agents » Help! ASIAN female in VANCOUVER. WHERE TO START???

Help! ASIAN female in VANCOUVER. WHERE TO START???

Question:

I just want to point out that, the agency that was quite persistant  about me taking the acting course is an agency listed in the B.C. Ministry of labour as a licensed agency. Does anyone know if this matter should be brought to the BBB?

=8^0) What?! Are you saying that the talent agency asked you to take their own acting classes? They are providing acting classes? Do you mind my asking the name of this talent agency? If you don’t want to post it publicly, you can always eMail it to me. Check to see if this agency is a member of TAMAC The Talent Agents & Managers Association of Canada. $860.00 is alot of money, even in Canadian funds. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m 17 yrs old and is currently taking acting classes.  I just started, but I recently went to this agency, (found it in the paper ad) and they asked me to take their acitng course.  It was like $749 + tax.  I didn’t take it becuz I am already taking acting classes at John casablanca.  I’m just wondering if that agency is reliable or not?  How do I find my self a reliable agency???  ANy suggestions for agents in Vancouver???  How much picture do I need for getting started?  Will the headshot (black and white) be enough??  What is the exact percentage an agent will subtract from my earnings?  What is the average pay? What about unions and non-unions???  How do I join one? Sorry bout the list of questions, but I really need some advice and help with taking the first steps. THanks alot~!

– "The content of your character is by your choice. Day by day, what you choose, think, and do, is who you become."                                      – Heraclitus —

Response:

You know Honet T— I read the thread and I don’t know if you got your questions answered I would like somebody to make phone calls and develop a list of BC industrial film producers – in return for this we can maybe help you get in to vo work ..no guarantees no money either . it would really be cool if you had another language besides english  – We are getting more calls for femal voice talent than males – mostly dot com commercials You’ll need an win98 based computer and soundcard – There are about four females with soundfiles on our website that contacted us thru the internet – Never charged any money for what you see and hear . The four on there have all made a little money doing this – not enough to quit other jobs . email with your info if you have time to make telephone calls – It’s research you would bennifit from pooled with what we get here . Les hwith taking the first steps. THanks alot~!

– Hollywood Voices 323-466-3595  fax/voicemail 323-995-0647 Hear male and female voice talent in realaudio at: http://hollywoodvoices.8m.com

Response:

Oops, …just realized a broken link for one of the schools. You can try http://kafka.uvic.ca/theatre/entrance/ for info about the BFA program at The University of Victoria if you are so inclined. Drama Queen — "I resent people who have big talents and don’t work at it, because I have a tiny little talent and I squeeze the tube dry."                                             –Paul Newman–

Response:

I just want to point out that, the agency that was quite persistant  about me taking the acting course is an agency listed in the B.C. Ministry of labour as a licensed agency. Does anyone know if this matter should be brought to the BBB? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m 17 yrs old and is currently taking acting classes.  I just started, but I recently went to this agency, (found it in the paper ad) and they asked me to take their acitng course.  It was like $749 + tax.  I didn’t take it becuz I am already taking acting classes at John casablanca.  I’m just wondering if that agency is reliable or not?  How do I find my self a reliable agency???  ANy suggestions for agents in Vancouver???  How much picture do I need for getting started?  Will the headshot (black and white) be enough??  What is the exact percentage an agent will subtract from my earnings?  What is the average pay? What about unions and non-unions???  How do I join one? Sorry bout the list of questions, but I really need some advice and help with taking the first steps. THanks alot~!

Response:

I’m 17 yrs old and is currently taking acting classes.  I just started, but

Please read http://www.sag.com/wannabe.html as well as ‘The AFTRA-SAG Young Performer’s Handbook’ at http://www.sag.com/youngpersons.html I recently went to this agency, (found it in the paper ad) and they asked me to take their acitng course.  It was like $749 + tax.  I didn’t take it becuz I am already taking acting classes at John casablanca.

Acting classes by John Casablancas in my opinion are not recognized as credible instruction by the casting directors who hire actors. There are other institutions that cost a lot less, and produce far more tangible results. Please see http://web.idirect.com/~canuck/canact/schools.html I’m just wondering if that agency is reliable or not?  How do I find my self a reliable agency???  ANy suggestions for agents in Vancouver???

Try taking a look at http://web.idirect.com/~canuck/canact/n-star.html or http://www.chapters.ca/affiliate/itempage.asp?ISBN=0968421008&affid=1… Then take a peek at http://web.idirect.com/~canuck/canact/news10.html, then see also http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/talent/tal-bro.htm as well as http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/talent/list.htm for the list of those licensed, as well as the Vancouver Actors Guide at http://welcome.to/VAG For a listing of reputable Vancouver based talent representatives who are also members of the Talent Agents & Managers Association of Canada TAMAC visit http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Alley/8174/vanagents.html How much picture do I need for getting started?  Will the headshot (black and white) be enough??

That depends on whether you are pursuing a modelling or acting career. If it is an acting career you are pursuing, a Black & White headshot, or at least 2 – 3 variations of that B & W headshot run off in quantity is what you need, however, taking "acting classes" from a franchised modelling agency isn’t going to get you the type of training necessary to pursue a career in acting. What is the exact percentage an agent will subtract from my earnings?

A legitimate talent agent in Canada, will take no more than 15% from your actual earnings for any work you do in an actor category and above. In British Columbia there is legislated regulation in place that forbids a performers earnings (after commission has been subtracted) from dipping below the current minimum wage set for that province. Please see http://www.actratoronto.com/members/agents_eic_rwa.html as well as http://web.idirect.com/~canuck/canact/advice.html#things and also http://web.idirect.com/~canuck/canact/seeking.html  What is the average pay?

Pay differs greatly depending on what job category you are employed in, or whether you are working a union or non-union job as well as your experience level. For current ACTRA minimums fees for independant prods. in most of Canada see http://www.actra.com/access/ipa99.pdf. Vancouver rates are set by ACTRA-UBCP and are slightly less than the rest of Canada, but this should give a ball park figure for jobs shot under the Independant Production Agreement (IPA) in the Vancouver area. The current Commercial Agreement (ICA), or the CTV, or CBC Agreements are yet to be updated on this site, but you can get those directly from ACTRA-UBCP by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with your request to ACTRA-UBCP, 400-856 Homer Street, Vancouver, B.C., V6B 2W5 What about unions and non-unions???  How do I join one?

For ACTRA membership info see http://www.actra.com/members/apprentc.html For info about joining SAG, see http://www.sag.com/newmembers.html Sorry bout the list of questions, but I really need some advice and help with taking the first steps. THanks alot~!

That’s OK, we all had questions starting out. Spend some time browsing and exploring through Canadian Actors Online (CAO) http://www.canadianactor.com. Run your mouse over the home page to  view all the links available. If you like the site, please clink on the link at the bottom of their home page to support this not-for-profit site without spending a dime. I’ve given you a lot of links to explore and read through, and they all contain what in my opinion is very good valid advice, …but I have to add that in addition to what you will read there, it is very important to involve your parents in the process. At 17, you are highly unlikely to get an agent without your parents knowledge and consent. The process to a career in this business is difficult enough as it is. trying to start one without the support of knowledgeable parents just makes it that much harder. Good Luck to you in your endeavors. Drama Queen — "I resent people who have big talents and don’t work at it, because I have a tiny little talent and I squeeze the tube dry."                                             –Paul Newman–

Response:

I’m 17 yrs old and is currently taking acting classes.  I just started, but I recently went to this agency, (found it in the paper ad) and they asked me to take their acitng course.  It was like $749 + tax.  I didn’t take it becuz I am already taking acting classes at John casablanca.

Good move on your part!! Any "agency" that charges you money up from isn’t worth your time. The only way they make money is if you book a job through them and then they take a percentage. Unfortunately John Casablanca isn’t a reputable organization either. You should immediately see about getting your money back. ANy suggestions for agents in Vancouver???

Sorry can’t give much advice there as I’m in California. Will the headshot (black and white) be enough??

What you could do to save yourself some money is to have a friend take a few snapshots and send those out to prospective agents with an intro letter. Also include a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope for a reply. What is the exact percentage an agent will subtract from my earnings?

Don’t know anything about agent fees in Vancouver but where I’m at it’s about 10 to 15% or so. What is the average pay?

Depends on the project. A national spot will definitely pay LOADS more than a local. Sorry bout the list of questions, but I really need some advice and help with taking the first steps.

You’re doing the right thing. I’m just sorry that you got involved with that John Casablancas stuff before you started asking questions. Asking lots of questions will help you learn what steps to take.   THanks alot~! Sometime in the future when you are more experienced you can return the favor by advising someone who’s new to this acting stuff as you once were. Good luck!! Derek

Response:

I’m 17 yrs old and is currently taking acting classes.  I just started, but I recently went to this agency, (found it in the paper ad) and they asked me to take their acitng course.  It was like $749 + tax.  I didn’t take it becuz I am already taking acting classes at John casablanca.  I’m just wondering if that agency is reliable or not?  How do I find my self a reliable agency???  ANy suggestions for agents in Vancouver???  How much picture do I need for getting started?  Will the headshot (black and white) be enough??  What is the exact percentage an agent will subtract from my earnings?  What is the average pay? What about unions and non-unions???  How do I join one? Sorry bout the list of questions, but I really need some advice and help with taking the first steps. THanks alot~!

Response:

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