12 Film Terms Young Actors Should Know Before Stepping on Set

News flash! Actors are not the center of a film; they are just one small part in the making of a movie.

Creating a film is a huge project that usually involves hundreds of people, including the actors. So it’s important for young actors to understand the roles and responsibilities of a film crew so that when they step on set, they have a basic understanding of what’s happening. Below are 12 terms every young actor should know before their first day on set.

Director: A director controls a film’s artistic and dramatic aspects, bringing the story to life on screen while guiding the crew and actors to fulfill his or her creative vision. The director chooses the cast, production design, and creative aspects of filmmaking. Most people become directors after attending film school or spending years in the business. 

Assistant director: In charge of managing cast and crew while assisting the production manager and the director, the assistant director is second-in-command on set. There may be several ADs working on a major film.

Producer: The producer is the highest-ranking person on a film. They are ultimately responsible for the film and duties ranging from creating an initial budget to running day-to-day operations. Producers also typically make the acceptance speech when collecting awards. Most films have several producers, including a line producer, associate producer, and executive producer.

READ: How to Become a Film Director

Production assistant: Also referred to as PAs, the production assistant helps the first assistant director with set operations and in the production office with general tasks.

Screenwriter: A good script is vital to a film’s success. A screenwriter writes the script, working closely with the production team to set the tone, setting, characters, and storyline. They must understand the filmmaking process and know how to work in this visual medium.

Script supervisor: The script supervisor keeps track of what parts of the script have been filmed and makes notes of any deviations between what was actually shot and what appears in the script. Script supervisors are also in charge of continuity, ensuring that everything you see matches the time period and is consistent from frame to frame. If you’ve seen a modern watch on the hand of a medieval knight, that was an error in continuity.

Director of photography: Also known as the DP, this director heads the technical department and makes sure the script is translated into visuals based on what the director’s vision is. 

Camera operator: Working closely with the DP to determine the composition of each shot as instructed by the director., the primary job of the camera operator is to make smooth pan and tilt moves to maintain the composition and keep the action within the frame lines.

Makeup artist: The goal of the makeup artist is to make everyone on screen look as good as possible. He/she works closely with the director and production team to create the looks required for the various parts of the movie. Some makeup artists specialize in special effects, like wounds or scars for horror films.

READ: How to Become a Makeup Artist

Hairstylist: Prepares the performers’ hair with styles that suit production requirements. Stylists work to determining the proper hairstyle or wigs for the period and character, as well as ensuring the style flatters the actor.

Gaffer: Also known as the chief lighting technician, gaffers are in charge of the electrical department and work closely with the DP to achieve the vision, look, and feel of the film through the lighting.

Grip: Grips ensure all the equipment—cameras, lights, etc.—are correctly mounted with cables, pulleys, and other rigging. They work closely with the camera department, especially if the camera is mounted on a dolly or crane, and the electrical department to put in lighting setups necessary for a shot. Grips are also responsible for safety on set as it relates to equipment.

Now that you understand these roles on a film set, you can ask the right questions of the right people. Remember that each position is professional and essential to the success of the production. Be sure to treat each person on the film set, from producer to caterer, with respect and courtesy.

Steer Your Career: Ask 3 Questions

For much of the entertainment industry, the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is a rare moment to slow down. Agencies close, phones stop ringing, and routine emails generally go unanswered until after the holiday.

As I am in London this holiday week, I am struck by the way Europeans slow down. Absolutely nothing is open on Christmas Day. Not even mass transit. On the following day, Boxing Day, the biggest shopping day of the season, some tube stations and many stores still remain closed. How different it is on our side of the pond where Black Friday now infringes on Thanksgiving Day itself.

I am taking my cue from the Brits and encouraging you to do the same. Take a moment this holiday season to shut out the shopping and slow down the rush. Connect with your family and friends and the values that matter most in your life. See this moment as an opportunity to reflect on the past year.

Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Have you made strides toward mastering your craft? Think about how your training has helped you grow and how it’s impacted your performance. Reflect on the feedback you received from trusted advisors and audiences to measure your progress. Consider what is missing in your acting toolbox and how you will achieve it.

2. Do you feel empowered?  Take stock of your career goals and the steps you have taken to work in the industry. Determine if they are reasonably attainable and in line with the development of your craft. Examine your daily, weekly and monthly habits to evaluate whether your actions support and further your goals. Reflect on the guidance you receive from your mentors and representatives to determine if you are a good fit for each other, and whether they are enabling you to make purposeful and confident decisions.

3. Are you enjoying the journey? Question how you feel in the morning and before bed. Deliberate in what ways your attitude toward your craft and the business has changed in the past year. Review what you have been saying to your friends and colleagues about your professional accomplishments.

For me, Sidney Poitier said it best: “I had chosen to use my work as a reflection of my values.” In this simple, but powerful statement, Mr. Poitier reminds us that the expression of ourselves as authentic actors begins with an understanding of ourselves as human beings.

My wish for every actor is to use the self-awareness of this moment to move ever closer toward achieving your goals while remaining true to your values. Best wishes for a happy, healthy and successful new year!

Why the Most Talented Kid Doesn’t Always Get the Role

As an acting teacher, my job is to train young artists. In my thirty years of experience, I’ve been fortunate to work with some incredibly talented young actors.

Unfortunately, talent and skill isn’t enough to win roles. Just because a young actor is the most talented one in the room, it’s not guaranteed they will get the job. This is undoubtedly frustrating—in many other industries, if you study hard and develop natural talents, you’ll likely find work. But that’s not the case in show business. In fact, there are many other factors other than talent and skill that determine who books a role:

A poor attention span: Even if your child can sing like an angel, dance like Fred Astaire, and act proficiently, if he can’t be trusted to take direction properly or remember cues, he won’t be cast.

Physical characteristics: If your child is taller than the actress playing her mother, too heavy to be easily lifted by other actors who need to carry her off stage, or doesn’t look like the other actors cast to play family members, she will not win the role.

Bad luck: Maybe the casting director was just exhausted during your child’s audition after sitting through hundreds of others. Or maybe the needs of the production change.

It’s important to remember that the real job of a young actor is to audition to the best of his ability, not to win the part. Being cast or not is outside of your (or your child’s) control.

READ: What Child Actors Should Expect Over the Years

To help make sense of it all, I spoke with casting director Matthew Maisto, CSA. Here’s what he had to say on the subject:

“Only one person gets the role! Don't make it personal, most actors auditioning aren't going to get the job. Unlike most businesses, our industry is mainly subjective regarding decision making. No grading system in casting means there's no way for an actor to understand what they could have done ‘better’ to change the outcome. Most of the time the answer is nothing.

“Simply put; another actor was more right for the role. Keep in mind that auditioning for a role in a film, on TV, or a play is not a competition with judges and score card to determine who’s the most talented. Usually, we are not looking for the best actor, but rather the right actor. Many factors inform which actor is seen as the most right for a role. Presence and personality are often just as important as skill and natural talent.”

Talent manager, Lauren Singer of Lauren Singer Talent, also shared a story with me.

“I have a client who was objectively not the most talented actor going in for the role on Broadway, and she knew it! Many of the other kids were Broadway veterans with many credits under their belt. In fact, I had another client audition for the same role who was an experienced triple threat. My “less experienced” client got the role because she was good enough and she was the right height and look for the role.

“My other client was clearly disappointed but understood what happened and was able to not take it personally. It is not that you aren't good enough or not talented enough. The more an actor and actor's family can understand this, the better able they are to be able to tolerate and manage the inevitable slings and arrows that come with being a working actor.”

While there are many things a young actor cannot control during the audition process, her level of preparation and work ethic are very much in her hands. More than talent or looks, professional behavior and a willingness to take direction are essential ingredients in casting choices.

Guide your child to prepare thoroughly, approach auditions with confidence and the ability to be herself, and have fun. When she does, she’ll have the presence and personality to go along with her talent and have the best chance of winning that elusive role!

Winter Self-Care for Child + Teen Actors

I don’t shake hands with my students. It’s not that I am rude, I just don’t have to time to get sick. I have a responsibility to myself, my family, and my students to show up for work every day and do the best job I can. This time of year, germs are flying—stomach bugs, colds, flu, even winter allergies can get the best of us.

As young actors, you work hard memorizing lines and putting in hours working with coaches or vocal teachers to nail scenes and songs. Kudos to you for preparing and doing your homework! But what if audition day arrives and you wake up sick? All that hard work goes down the drain.

Winter is also the time students are busy preparing to audition for high school and college theater programs. Last year, I helped a student all year on his monologues and songs in preparation for the Unified college theater auditions where many programs come together in one location so that students can audition for several universities in one shot. He was a triple threat, skilled in acting, voice, and dance and was, in my opinion, a big contender for a top musical theater program. Unfortunately, the weekend of his Unified auditions he woke up with laryngitis and couldn’t sing. He was accepted to an excellent theater program in acting, but not offered one for musical theater.

This business is not always forgiving and you don’t get do-overs often. As actors, our bodies and voices are our instruments, so here are some steps you can take to stay healthy so you’ll be at your best when opportunity knocks.

Get plenty of sleep. 
Studies show that children ages 6-12 should get 9-12 hours and most teens need 8-10 hours of sleep per night. Sleep deficiency affects memory, attention, and mood…all things required to perform at one’s best. Get enough rest and you’ll be re-charged to show up fully in a business that is highly competitive. If you’re not all there, someone else will be.

Eat well.
Stick to a sensible diet. I know this is easier said than done but sugar and high carbs can cause mood swings and lethargy. Substitute protein bars for candy bars if you need a quick pick me up. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water as well, and you will be like a well-oiled machine.

Embrace vitamins and remedies. 
If you are eating a balanced diet, you may not need supplements. However, a gummy vitamin each day can’t hurt (just check with your parents first). During cold season I use Airborne Cold Eeze, and echinacea, an herb that encourages the immune system and reduces many of the symptoms of colds, flu, and some other illnesses.

Be mindful and grateful.
I know parents sound like a broken record, but do what they say. It works. Wash your hands often. Don’t smoke or drink. Stop yelling. Say please and thank you. Gratitude is the answer to happiness. Be a happy actor and people will want to work with you.

15 Must-Read Plays for Tweens and Teens

Read plays. Lots of them. Why? This story as told by the venerable playwright, Tom Stoppard, gives you the answer: 

Years ago, there was a production of “The Tempest,” out of doors, and the play began in natural light. As it became time for Ariel to say his farewell, the evening had started to close in. And as Ariel uttered his last speech, he turned and he ran across the grass, and he got to the edge of the lake and he just kept running across the top of the water—the producer having thoughtfully provided a kind of walkway an inch beneath the water. And you could see and you could hear the plish, plash as he ran away from you across the top of the lake, until the gloom enveloped him and he disappeared from your view. 

And as he did so, from the further shore, a firework rocket was ignited, and it went whoosh into the air, and high up there it burst into lots of sparks, and all the sparks went out, and he had gone. 

When you look up the stage directions, it says, “Exit Ariel.” (Abridged comments of Tom Stoppard at the University of Pennsylvania, 1996)

Smart, creative, and successful young actors imagine moments just like that when they are veteran play readers. Children and teens who read plays regularly literally explode with ideas when they read new scripts. And, as a bonus, they have many wonderful monologues and scenes to explore in class and present at auditions. 

Here are some of my favorite plays for young performers to read. Some are new and others classics. They are all well-written, good literature and have been successfully produced.

• “The Loman Family Picnic” by Donald Margulies

• “Really Really” by Paul Downs Colaizzo

• “Henry’s Law” by Stacie Lents

• “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry

• “Leaves” by Lucy Caldwell

• “Picnic” by William Inge

• “Ascension Day” by Timothy Mason

• “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder

• “Speech and Debate” by Stephen Karam

• “The Member of the Wedding” by Carson McCullers

• “Women and Wallace” by Jonathan Marc Sherman

• “The Diary of Anne Frank” by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett

• “John Lennon and Me” by Cherie Bennett

• “Tigers Be Still” by Kim Rosenstock

• “From Up Here” by Liz Flahive

I am always on the lookout for new, cutting edge material to offer my students the most interesting monologues and scenes. When I am not coaching a client or teaching a class, you will often find me reading a new play, re-reading a classic, or browsing the shelves at one of my favorite stores, The Drama Book Shop in New York City. It’s wonderful because the staff live and breathe this stuff and offer great recommendations. Ask for my friend, Stu. He’s the best! 

Look out for an upcoming article on the art of reading a play for tweens and teens. I would love to hear from you about your picks for great material, so please drop me a comment below. I can’t wait to see the hidden gems you have in your library! 

How Young Actors Can Discover Powerful Audition Material

I love getting calls from students asking for a great monologue or scene for their upcoming audition or acting reel. It keeps me in business. But it’s important young actors learn where to find and how to choose their own material since doing so gives you the opportunity to find a unique piece that fits your personality and talents.

Students auditioning for middle, high school, and university performing arts programs are required to present one or two monologues, mostly from published plays. Some schools allow pieces from movies and books if the student is connected to the material. Finding the right monologue can seem like an impossible task but through my 30 years in the industry working with young actors, I’ve accumulated a considerable library of scenes and monologues. Where do I find it all? Reading plays and screenplays, seeing a lot of theater and movies, and spending hours at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and the Drama Book Shop in NYC.

While you may not have hours to spare poring over great plays and screenplays, here are some tips that can help you discover your own perfect audition material:

Start with the theater. 
Many of my students have only read and seen musicals, but don’t spend a lot of time at the theater seeing plays. As an actress and teacher, some of my best training happened in the theater, either sitting in the audience or standing in the wings as an apprentice watching actors work with great material.

You don’t have to live in New York to see great theater. I recently attended a small community theater production of a hilarious play that was brand new to me. I immediately ordered the play and added it to my script library. You can find performances in every community.

Find age-appropriate material. 
Look for scenes that contain conflict and well-developed, relatable characters. Whether it’s a scene for an acting class, a demo reel or a monologue, choosing age-appropriate, yet powerful material can be challenging for younger actors.

Many plays are racy with foul language and strong sexual content. Though they’re entertaining to watch, they may not be suitable for auditions and class work. Find something in the G or PG range for auditions, unless you’re working on a college audition. Even then, use caution with materials that are too raw or sexual so your performance isn’t overshadowed by the material.

Start reading plays by playwrights who write for younger audiences.  
Two excellent resources are Bakers Plays and Playscripts. Both firms are independent publishers of new plays and musicals and offer plenty of great material for young audiences.

See plays and watch movies.  
You can find many films on Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu, both old and new. Ask your parents for recommendations for movies they’ve seen with young characters and themes that relate to your life and experiences.

Attend classes and workshops.    
Enroll in an ongoing acting class or take some one-day workshops by master teachers where you’ll not only perfect your craft but be exposed to material you might find funny or moving.

Write your own material. 
Use your strengths and create content to show yourself off in the best light. Perhaps you can use your musical talents, singing or even dancing in a scene you create. Get together with friends and put some thoughts down on paper. Before you know it, you might have an awesome scene written or even a one-act play. You don’t have to be a great writer, just be honest and tell your truth.

For more advice on where and how to find material from plays geared to young audiences, as well as how to search for suitable content in new plays and productions, I’ll be hosting a panel discussion with playwright Jonathan Marc Sherman (“Women and Wallace”), several theater directors, and a few educators at the Drama Book Shop in New York City on Thursday, Nov, 30 at 6 p.m. The event is free and suitable for tweens, teens, and their parents.

A Young Actor’s Checklist

It’s more than talent that's being assessed in an audition. If your script isn't in order and you're fiddling with the papers, you may become unfocused and distracted. At that point, the casting director is already thinking next. As a teacher, I don’t want to hear excuses about why you don’t have your script. Using your phone is not an acceptable alternative. You need to mark up your scripts with notes, actions, and directions.

What's more, young actors who understand the decision making, diligence, and sacrifice necessary to pursue an acting career on the part of both themselves and their families are often completely invested. Teens and pre-teens thrive when parents nurture their adolescent development rather than control it. An inclusive approach to career decision making with real and understandable expectations and responsibilities often leaves young actors feeling in control, focused, and ready for success.

Here’s a checklist of what you'll need to set yourself up for success in and out of the audition room.

Acting Class + Rehearsal

• A hard copy of your script, monologue, or the scene you're working on

• Highlighter to help identify your lines easily

• Pencil (not a pen) to make notes and changes

• Water to always stay hydrated

• Healthy snacks

• Your phone to record something, add contacts, and to be able to reach a parent

Auditions

• Hard copies of headshots with resumes stapled together

• Your audition copy or sides printed out

• Music book if it's a musical audition

• Dance wear for dance calls

• Water

• Snack

• Phone

• Extra shirt in case of spills

• Hairbrush or comb to touch up hair

READ: 25 Ways for Young Actors to Take Control of Their Careers

Performances

• Any personal costume pieces

• Makeup (always bring your own for sanitary reasons)

• Your script. Even though you will know your lines by performance time it is always best to review them. You might find something new.

• Water

• Snack

• Something to help you relax and bide the time backstage like music, cards, knitting, etc.

As child actors grow into teens, they're responsible for more and held accountable with consequences. Start learning these skills now and you'll be more prepared as you head into adulthood. Preparedness, scheduling, and goal setting all help develop important life skills. The consistent effort to stay organized will teach you how to focus effectively to get things done. Involvement on this level with proper parental guidance also develops communication and critical reasoning skills. These life skills show up in the audition too. Casting directors look for young actors who focus and communicate well.

So kids, take control of your career today. Be prepared and stay organized. Pack a bag the night before with everything you need for class, rehearsal, auditions or performance days and set yourself up for success!

It’s Time to Take Boston Seriously as an Actor’s Hub

Production crews are flocking to New England, and with good reason. The scenery is breathtaking with snowcapped mountains in the winter, swan boat rides in spring, summer beachcombing on the Cape, and breathtaking fall foliage. Boston’s cobblestone streets, reminiscent of Paris at the turn of the century, lead to a bustling community rich with art galleries and theaters. Not to mention the state of Massachusetts offers a tax credit to movie producers, refunding twenty-five cents for every dollar spent.

In any given month, Boston is home to up for 15 films in production. Recently wrapped films include “Growing Pains,” Amy Schumer’s “I Feel Pretty,” “Slender Man,” the Christina Hendricks-starring “Burning Woman,” Taraji P. Henson’s “Proud Mary,” and Mark Wahlberg/Will Ferrell comedy “Daddy’s Home 2.” Currently in production in and around Boston are “Ghost Light,” “The Equalizer 2” starring Denzel Washington, and the “Castle Rock” TV series. That’s a lot of movie making! With so much going on, consistent work for Boston-based actors and crews is attainable.

Boston is one of my favorite cities; it has an intimate feel with big city perks. I recently taught a few acting workshops at Boston Casting and was impressed by the talent there. The office was busy until evening, working on both background and principle roles. I spoke with Angela Peri and Lisa Lobel, the owners of Boston Casting, to learn more about their city, which is just four hours away from the Big Apple.

“Hollywood heavyweights like Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington love to work in Boston. There is a unique feel to the city, a talented and hardworking crew who can work tirelessly through every season, and actors with a special character and authenticity. We love telling stories in Boston!”

Additionally, some of the nation’s top theater and acting programs—Boston University, Emerson, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, American Repertory Theatre at Harvard—call the city their home, which means the city’s actors are well-trained and taken seriously. What’s more, the bustling production scene in Boston, they stay in the area to work after graduation; they have the ability to be a big fish in a small pond.

Boston and its surrounding suburbs also offer wonderful theater opportunities. In New York, it’s often difficult to land roles in community theater as many shows produced are professional. The Boston area has many local theater groups and regional theaters giving actors the opportunity to perform and even accumulate Actors Equity Membership Candidacy points. And since actors need to act, this is only a good thing!

When I teach in the area, I love listening to the Bostonian accent that an actor from New York or Los Angeles can’t quite master. Local films need local actors with an authenticity and look you can’t always find in New York or L.A. There is a genuine small town quality here that comes across, something I know is attractive to directors looking for the real deal.

You no longer need to live and work in New York or Los Angles to be a working actor. If you’re not getting work in one of the two or simply prefer a different urban vibe, consider giving Boston a try.

5 Florida Acting Programs All Young Actors Should Know

As an acting coach and teacher, I believe all young actors should train to enhance their skills and build self-esteem. And despite L.A. and New York seeming like the center of the acting universe, you don’t have to live in either place to get great training. 

As an actor, I got my start in Florida, and it’s a state that continues to be full of wonderful regional theaters and training programs for young actors. Work is plentiful with theater productions throughout the state, as well as film, TV, and commercial opportunities. If you’re looking for training for your young performer, here are five programs to check out:

The Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts
A professional school of arts education that offers year-round classes in acting, dance, playwriting, and vocal techniques, all taught by Broadway instructors and industry experts.

The Theatre’s Youth Artists’ Chair is a rigorous, three-month long theatrical mentorship of 18-20 high school students. Through this program, students receive graduate-level training at no cost to them in order to produce a full-scale production from start to finish. The Youth Touring Company, also offered at no charge, is comprised of 30 students who perform at over 85 events in the community. They showcase their talents and give back by volunteering their time at a wide range of venues. 

Finally, the Maltz Jupiter Theatre Professional Training Program is the only two-year training program in the state affiliated with a professional regional theater. Students train 35 hours per week in classes that include acting, voice and speech, musical theater styles, all forms of dance, music theory, Shakespeare, stage combat, career prep, and more. This competitive, audition-only program enrolls 10-16 students per class, enabling participating students to grow at an accelerated pace with extremely high classroom expectations.

Miami Children’s Theater
Established in 1996, Miami Children’s Theater (MCT) is one of the most prolific and experienced training grounds for young actors in South Florida. MCT believes that time on stage is the most valuable training tool—grads are well-known for their experience and professionalism as they enter the collegiate and professional theater world. Learning proper technique in all areas of musical theater is paramount to their philosophy, and with five alumni in featured roles on Broadway and dozens of MCT veterans attending the nation's finest performing arts colleges, it shows.

READ: How to Be the Best Advocate for Your Child Actor

StarCatcher Acting Studio  
Focused on acting for film and TV through scene study, program director Kia Riddick-Taylor says, “Any time you’re given a script, you’re getting prepared to go on a journey. A mysterious journey that starts with your willingness to explore with empathy, without judgment and, without attachment to the end result.

“Often students can lose focus because their desire to ‘book’ is greater than their desire to tell the truth. It’s understandable, we all want to succeed. That’s when I remind my students that writers go to great lengths to give characters truth. The words they write and the stories they create are the foundation of that truth. Your job as an actor is to breathe life into the words. To bring them to life with your imagination, experiences, perspective, and vulnerability.”

Orlando Repertory Theatre
Offering Youth Academy classes, camps, and productions year-round for students pre-K through 12th grade, the goal of Orlando REP’s programming is to develop life skills in young people through the performing arts. Youth Academy classes and camps offer students a fun place to explore their actor’s toolbox of the body, voice, and imagination through age-appropriate theater games, scene work, songs, and even technical theater.

Productions are fully produced shows with professional directors, designers, and crew. All camps conclude with a presentation for family and friends. Camps and productions are designed to foster self-confidence, creative thinking, analytical skills, team building, trust, and discipline through performing arts. These skills enable youth to grow into engaging individuals who build stronger communities through the arts.

Kim Houston’s The Casting Gym
A casting and recording studio for talent of all ages to practice auditions before going to them or preparing for an upcoming one. Staying sharp and fit in a competitive business is challenging—the Casting Gym provides results by “working out” in a real casting studio with mock casting sessions in commercials, TV, film, dance, music, vocals, improv, and voiceover. Membership is annual and affordable at $99.00 for the year. All on camera classes come with material to prepare for the casting session as well as a video to use for future training and marketing purposes.

Bonus Program: Since I don’t like cold weather, I’m excited to announce that I’ll be teaching acting foundation skills in the Orlando area for the month of February 2018. Stay tuned for more details!

4 Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship With Your Rep

There are times in every relationship when we wonder if things are still working well enough. Partnerships, people, and circumstances change over time, so it’s good to reassess periodically. If there has been stress or frustration when dealing with your representative, it may be time for a heart-to-heart talk. If after doing your best to work with someone, you find that you are still experiencing some of the following problems, it may be time to call it quits and move on. Here are four signs that your relationship with your rep has passed its expiration date.

1. Lack of communication. This is a red flag that could mean there are serious problems in the relationship. Even though managers and agents are usually very busy, most email or phone replies to you should be made within days, if not hours. If you are emailing or calling your rep and not hearing back in a timely fashion, it makes it challenging for them to serve your needs properly. This lack of attention may mean any number of things, but don’t assume you know the backstory. Instead, arrange one-on-one time to discuss the state of your partnership. Whether they no longer consider you to be a high priority or they are avoiding you for some reason, you deserve to know what is happening and whether or not things can be fixed. 

2. You fear them. Countless times, students have asked me if they should call their manager or they ask for my advice on what to do about an opportunity. These clients often feel intimidated by their reps and are afraid to ask the questions they need to ask. You should feel comfortable talking with your representative about your career! Granted, managers and agents are usually very busy working for you as well as their many other clients. The best agents tend to be very time-efficient and just need to be succinct. Be respectful of their time by preparing your questions in advance and doing as much legwork as you can before picking up the phone, but have confidence in your right to talk with them. If, however, you find that you are being treated disrespectfully or made to feel badly for bothering them, there may be a problem with the relationship. In order for you to get the most out of having a rep, communication needs to flow both ways. 

3. Does not support your vision. It’s important that your rep be on board with where you see your career going. You may want to focus on theater in New York but he wants you out in California working in television. Are you interested in working on your music, yet he keeps sending you out for acting-only opportunities? A disconnect like this will not move you in the direction you want to go. Talk with your rep about your goals and find out if he can get behind your vision of the future. The right rep will be a good partner who supports you as you pursue your performing arts goals.

4. Not a team player. Many actors will start out with an agent and then add a manager as things start to pick up speed. Sometimes, and this is common for young performers, you retain a manager and hope to make agent connections through them. Talk with your rep and find out her opinion on adding to the team. If she tells you to hold off because you are not ready and you trust her counsel, then perhaps you should wait. Sometimes, though, an agent prefers to maintain independent control over her performers’ careers and doesn’t want a manager to interfere. That agent may be putting herself before her clients and is not being a team player. If you have a healthy partnership with your agent, she will support your interest in adding to your team. Putting together a team that works well together from the start will help it function properly in the long run. 

Keep in mind, agents and managers are juggling many clients and responsibilities. You can help them help you by keeping up on your part: current pictures, updated résumés, and new skills. As with any relationship, good communication is key to maintaining a successful partnership.