By Laura Jean Angelone, a professional independent model from Orlando
© Copyright 2004 Independent Modeling. All rights reserved.
WEB VERSION
- PRINT VERSION
Sending
out mailers to agents, production companies, and casting directors is the
first step to becoming a working model or actor. Your mailer should include
a cover letter to briefly describe your intentions, your composite card or
headshot, and a reply card for the agent to send back to you.
First of all, you must make a list of all the agents, production companies,
and casting directors in your state whom you wish to send your information.
If you’re in the state of Florida, there is a terrific guide called
the Florida Actors and Models Book or more commonly known as FAB. This book
lists all of the reputable agents, photographers, casting directors, etc.
in the state of Florida and is a great tool in getting started. You may even
order labels from FAB for your mailers, so you don’t get writers cramp
penning the addresses by hand!
Next, the cover letter should be written on letterhead and each one addressed
personally. The letter should be very brief and may go like this:
“I am interested in representation by your agency. I have enclosed
a composite card for your consideration. Please let me know if you would like
to represent me. Hope to hear from you soon.”
It also looks professional to sign each letter.
Another good idea is to include a reply card. Agents are very busy people
with not a lot of time to call each applicant. Agents love this idea and almost
always send it back to you. The reply card will be a self-addressed and stamped
post card that the agent can respond about you. It will allow the agent to
check off a “yes” or “no” box on
whether they will represent you and a comments section. Also, do not forget
to put the name of the agent on the card. When you receive the cards back,
the agents’ input will give you a good idea on whether or not you are
going about things in the right way.
Finally, don’t forget to include your composite card or headshot and
plenty of postage. Sending out mailers is very time consuming, but you will
get plenty of work from them. And don’t forget to do this every six
months; an agent who may not have been able to use you before, may need you
in the future. Also, make sure you continue to keep in touch with your agents
once a month. Good Luck!
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The agency way is no longer the only way of having a professional career as a model. There is no arguing against common-sense and proven business practices. Modern professional models think for themselves, network, and book work both as independent models and by using agencies as one of many sources of jobs. This is the future of the modeling industry.
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