Ok, i'll try to keep it brief cos i have a tendency to ramble (there i go already!) but i graduated from drama school in may & left without an agent. Ive subscribed to every possible casting website going (no really!), get PCR, The Stage etc and have had quite a few auditions and a couple of jobs from those. However, whilst i enjoy and value the work i get from these..predominantly student films, T.I.E. etc..I do feel cut off from an entire section of the industry through not having an agent to get me more "high profile" auditions etc. I am seriously considering doing applying for one of those crazily-priced lunchtime showcases to try to get agent exposure but wanted to know if people think this would just be a complete waste of time..not to mention money, which doesnt exist yet anyway!I know that having an agent is not the be all and end all, and I have been lucky enough to have got more work on my own than some friends with agents, but i really feel like i cant find a way in to certain castings and areas of the industry.
As regards the agent thing, I left drama school without one and, indeed, spent the next 5 years without one until signing to MHM last year. I've managed to keep myself busy by just applying to things through PCR etc, so all is not lost.
I wouldn't bother with a lunchtime showcase. I did one at the Soho Theatre and there were more performers than audience, and the audience members that were there were mainly friends of the actors!
Basically, don't lose heart. I've seen what you do and you're very talented, so just keep yourself working and keep your name coming up on cast lists - as somebody else said earlier, that's what agents like to see more than anything.
All good advice so face. Remember that having an agent isn't everything, they don't always find you work. You're better off putting that effort into getting roles yourself.
Having said that, agents typically have many casting director's ears and are briefed on TV and other roles that are never publicised in PCR or elsewhere. Agents will only put forward who they feel is most appropriate.
My advice is to keep applying every so often but don't let it compromise your own job searches.
Thanks Chris, yeah that's sort of the conclusion Ive now come to. Everyone's been really helpful but, as you said, if it comes down to where my energy is best spent, then i agree..it's on getting myself work.
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