Actors: be your own agent --and NEtwork!!

I've written quite a bit on the actor/agent relationship in this blog.  Reason why is that in order to be successful in Hollywood, you need to have opportunities that will allow you to book work!  This REQUIRES having a great agent.  What many actors don't realize however, is that YOU need to be your own great agent!!  Even when you're a huge celebrity, it is still completely necessary to be on the lookout for work opportunities for yourself.  I have friends that are with CAA, UTA, WME, ICM (the top of the top when it comes to agencies, and even those agents can't always get auditions and/or jobs for my friends!)  The KEY is networking.   I've even had an article in "BackStage" published on this topic - (you can read it here!!)  

When I'm not auditioning or working, I'm constantly networking.  This includes using social media, (twitter wooooo!! ha!) writing to everyone that you can think of, and most importantly, meeting people in person around town and getting to know them.  As is true in any business, it can take a lot of time to move "up" the ladder!  As an actor, it takes forever!  It is important to never blame your representatives for a lack of auditions though- - it's your responsibility to get those opportunities!  Obviously, (as I've written about,) there are a lot of agents and managers who literally do NOTHING at all- so fire them!!  Remember, they work for you.  Hire a GOOD agent, but always BE your own BEST agent!!  ;)

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