<p>Is it better to go to a school with a showcase if you want to go into the business right after college?? UCLA has a great program but I've heard they don't really teach you about the biz of acting, they kind of just push you out the door...doesn't feel very supportive there.</p>
<p>Showcases give you an opportunity to put your work in front of casting agents but it isn’t the be all/end all. The primary goal of your education should be to learn and perfect your craft as much as possible. In the NCSA audition (which does do showcases) they reminded us that Terrence Mann did not get picked up by any agents from their showcase. He went to New York and pounded the pavement, auditioning for as many shows as possible…and the rest is history…</p>
<p>Your asking two things in your post - showcases and learning the business of acting professionally. Showcases aren’t worth much IMHO, having a class or two that teach the business side of this business - priceless!</p>
<p>Yes, showcases matter. A lot. I agree that they aren’t necessarily the end-all be-all since this career is indeed a marathon - not a sprint. For instance, Laura Linney didn’t get a single bite from her Juilliard showcase, but look where she is now. However, the exposure to industry people and the possibility of coming out with solid representation can be a a huge boost for those who are likely to be “marketable” at 22 - i.e. still able to play teens, extremely attractive and unique character types. </p>
<p>Don’t believe me? Here’s a quote from the top boutique/guest star level agent who hosts the [“Secret</a> Agent Man” forum](<a href=“http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6031061/m/866103514]"Secret”>http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6031061/m/866103514) on Backstage…<br>
In response to how many he attends …
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<p>Keep in mind that he’s a Hollywood agent and they’re taken even more seriously in New York. I was already signed at mine, but some of my classmates who weren’t were the subject of veritable feeding frenzies. And even though I wasn’t in the market for an agent, some of the casting execs in LA still remembered me over a year and a half later when I moved out and was sent for some generals.</p>
<p>As for the business of acting … NO schools do a very good job of teaching that. Seriously. Most of the teachers at these places haven’t been in the business themselves for many years and some never really were in the first place. Some do bring in people from the outside, but that’s usually just in seminar form. It’s just not enough and you can expect to be fairly clueless starting out if you haven’t taken steps to educate yourself. Besides that, talking to someone - including me - about it is like talking to one of the [blind</a> men who groped the elephant](<a href=“http://www.jainworld.com/literature/story25.htm]blind”>http://www.jainworld.com/literature/story25.htm) in the old Indian folktale. Nobody really sees the whole thing. It’s also constantly changing. For instance, this years graduates will be have a completely different set of considerations just in dealing with the unions due to the impending SAG/AFTRA merger than my class just two years ago and that landscape will also be completely different for next year’s class - and not in a good way. Really, even the best books are usually out of date by the time they hit the shelves …</p>
<p>Fish, Your points about the business of the business are dead on. (I too am a regular reader, though no poster, of Backstage forums and have learned a lot from Secret Agent Man!) My son also entered college with representation, so his future college showcase may not be as critical to him as to some. (He’s a sophomore now.) But I will admit he was discovered and signed across the board at an industry showcase during a summer college workshop. So, I would have to say showcases continue to have their value. Industry professionals do attend and there is always potential to be signed by an agent. Emphasis on “potential.” Not to mention, as you say, being seen by all important casting directors.</p>
<p>My son is learning the professional business along side his college training and it is quite a learning curve to say the least. Developing a professional career is a process and the more time you take understanding the terminology and the structure of the entertainment business, the better you will deal with it.</p>
<p>^ True dat. And just because you get an agent or a good manager from one of these showcases does not necessarily mean you ride off into the sunset with a happily ever after. It’s just a first step and a small one at that. Like I said earlier, Secret Agent Man is with a top boutique agency that is fairly high on the Hollywood food chain, but check out the income distribution amongst his clients in his latest column … [Top-Secret</a> Statistics](<a href=“http://www.backstage.com/bso/advice-secret-agent-man/top-secret-statistics-1006480152.story]Top-Secret”>http://www.backstage.com/bso/advice-secret-agent-man/top-secret-statistics-1006480152.story)</p>
<p>A lot of graduates sign with these places and end up getting dropped a year later because they don’t book and this can be for a variety of reasons. The most common is that most of these schools - including the top conservatories - do a pretty sorry job of teaching audition technique and graduates are often too broke to afford continued training in that area or they have a 'tude and think they don’t need it. I actually volunteered to coach a guy from the year behind me in high school for free with some of what I’ve learned since graduation because he was having such a hard time and he got all huffy thinking I was disrespecting his school … Others just sit around thinking they’re “in” and are mistaken in believing their representation is supposed to do all the work and fail to get out and network to create some of their own opportunities. Still others make stupid life choices and self-destruct. </p>
<p>I think I’ve mentioned before that an ‘09 graduate from my school has plenty of money to maintain a fab wardrobe in which she constantly goes clubbing, but juuuuuuust can’t seem to afford the new headshots she needs like a mouse needs cheese. She’s still using the same ones the agent she was with for a year told her she needed to upgrade way back when … before he dropped her. And she wonders why she can’t get arrested? Then there’s a 2010 graduate from another top school who lived in my building in Astoria. GORGEOUS girl who signed with a very good New York legit boutique plus a top-of-the-popper commercial agency that was getting her out several times a week, but she allowed herself to put on twenty freakin’ pounds in the first six months after graduation! Are you kidding me? I hung out and drank with she and her roommates a couple of times and it was a couple of times out of ALL THE TIME for them. Seriously. If I wanted to get all crunked up, all I had to do was drop by their apartment on any given night of the week. Beer, weed and the inevitable munchies … And she’s all “woe is me” because both agencies dropped her like a hot potato. Another reason to get all crunked up, I suppose … The same thing happened to one of her classmates except for her it came from dating a guy who fed her Italian food all the time and she thought walking to the train was enough to make up for it and the fact that she no longer had all the activity from the movement and dance classes she’d been accustomed to at school. Hello??? Another thing all these people have in common is that they haven’t taken the first class or had the first private coaching session since graduation. They are also excellent actors to my understanding … </p>
<p>Then, just like with colleges, there’s a case of “fit” with these agencies, too. Some people get caught up in the excitement of it and sign way up the food chain from where they ought to be given their non-union status. These big agencies don’t have time to mess with small potatoes stuff like LORT houses and SAG costars, so you pretty much have to wait around 'til you book something big which can take quite awhile … while your chops atrophy and you fall by the wayside …</p>
<p>One positive example is the way my best friend from school has so far played the cards she was dealt. She was already AEA eligible from summer work and basically inspired feeding frenzies on both coasts at showcase. We’re talking some very clouty agents and managers here. However, she thought about it long and hard and decided to sign with a smaller New York agency that has some clout on Broadway and in the TV and film world, but also has and values a lot of regional theatre connections. Some people thought she was nuts, but it was a smart move for her since she’s in no hurry and got into this to act - period. She’s currently working Off Broadway and has had a guest star on “The Good Wife” (an AFTRA show), but she’s also worked in regional theatre in about six different states and is now SAG eligible through AEA principals. She would have had a hard time convincing one of the bigger agencies to let her do that since that kind of thing is such piddly money for them, but she hasn’t needed to wait the first table since graduation. And no. Her parents don’t give her money. Had she signed with one of the big LA agencies, she would have probably spent the first year waitressing and wasting herself running all over town chasing a Taft Hartley for a SAG commercial since the theatrical people don’t like to do that anyway, the big boys don’t mess with co-stars and those roles are as hard to get as anything in the first place since they don’t require any serious acting chops. They can hire just about any schlub that looks right for those …</p>
<p>At any rate, I guess all this isn’t completely relevant on a college board, so I’ll shut up now. Just a former CC kid reporting back from the real world …</p>
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<p>As usual, I love reading fish’s post and agree with so much of what she has to say. But I have to take exception to this particular point. At least at my D’s school the faculty work in the real world. The acting faculty get out and audition just like the students. This summer, I know many of the faculty will be performing on stage and in films, choreographing, teching and designing out in the real world. So not only are they up-to-date about what’s going on out there, they are continuing to make great connections that they can pass along to the students. My D will be performing in summerstock this summer at a theatre that has not had a student cast from her school before. The head of the department already reminded her she will be “paving the way” for fellow students. That’s not a responsibility she takes lightly. We all know that networking and connections are important and I appreciate the fact that the faculty and students take that very seriously. [steps down off soap box and returns thread to original discussion]</p>
<p>^ Not really. I don’t feel like getting in a big argument about it or anything, but I just checked Coastal’s acting faculty and did some Googling. There’s one whom I actually know and adore who had a co-star on a show that shoots nearby in 2010 and a couple of things back in the 90s and there’s some others with regional theatre credits, but I don’t see anything of significance from the New York and LA markets in the recent past. One MT prof has also done some conducting on Broadway recently. Maybe some are doing some indies that don’t show up … No offense, but it is what it is. Of course, that’s not saying they’re bad teachers and not worthy of respect. I know Monica to be a wonderful Suzuki teacher. They just don’t seem to have tried to make a living as actors in a major market in quite awhile.</p>
<p>Really, you’d think the kids from the New York schools would would be really saavy, but it was surprising to me how clueless some are although I guess it could be a case of horses having been led to water that didn’t bother to drink. Then, there’s also a distinction between “the real world” in the smaller markets and that in New York, LA and Chicago. I was actually fairly shocked to see a blog where an actress who finished a very well respected MFA that’s geared towards regional theatre hadn’t even been taught how to handle her sides in an audition …</p>
<p>Perhaps that’s where our difference of opinion is fish. I was thinking beyond “major market” and looking at regional theatre. I consider those opportunities as being equally valid. You will have to accept that I am just a very happy parent who sees her D and her classmates getting excellent training by faculty I consider to be outstanding in so many ways. And seeing that faculty being augmented by great people like Mark Hollmann and Joe Dieffenbacher this semester makes me even more confident. Personal bias ;)</p>
<p>I know. 
Also see the above post where I pointed out my friend’s wise decision. Shoot, if you look back to my posts from a few years ago, you’ll see that my ambition starting all this was regional theatre. This other stuff just kind of happened. I actually envy a classmate of mine who’s working one of those sweet ten month contracts at Oregon Shakes right now …</p>
<p>It’s absolutely fascinating to read about some of the "do"s and "don’t"s of getting a career started…with examples!!</p>
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<p>I could not agree with this more, fish. My daughter, who does have an agent, doesn’t rely on waiting around for auditions and to be cast. In fact, she auditions infrequently. ALL of her work is in music and theater, every single job, including survival jobs. She gets out and networks and creates many of her own performing opportunities! </p>
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<p>My kid also has work with Oregon Shakespeare Festival. She was recently there and is flying back out in a couple of weeks. Maybe she saw your friend in a show as she saw two productions while there recently on their opening weekend.</p>
<p>Does NYU/Tisch have a senior Showcase for their undergraduate straight drama students? I see on another thread that there is one for musical theatre.</p>
<p>My son is in straight drama at NYU and I believe he told me they don’t have a senior showcase. However, I do know that when he was in a show recently at Tisch, there were many invited guests that were agents. The director of that show has many theatre awards and has been nominated for a Tony- she’s well-connected. Hope that helps!</p>
<p>Back when my D graduated in 2009, there was a showcase by audition for straight drama and for MT at Tisch. My D was in it. It was called Industry Nights but they may have since done away with that showcase.</p>
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How cool is that?! I hear it’s really beautiful up there. Wild that the MT kid ends up there before me! I kept planning to go see her play at Joe’s Pub, but the stars never lined up quite right. It’s usually past my bedtime …</p>
<p>She’s definitely doing all the right things as far as I can tell. Putting yourself out there and creating some buzz is what they need. Makes for a much easier pitch and sell when the right part comes along.</p>
<p>Non-musical actors have a lot they can do to create buzz, too, besides black box work. A lot of people are making their own work. There’s usually not much money in it, but the SAG New Media Agreement probably provides one of the better ways into the union and some people have gotten themselves noticed through web series, etc. I hope it survives the merger. </p>
<p>Actually, a kid from my old high school that I sort of mentored through the college audition process got eligible that way. Then, she’s been writing, producing, directing, and acting in her own indie films for awhile now. The web pilot she did to accomplish that was just one of many things. I don’t know how in the world she finds time for it, but she’s definitely gonna be big time agent bait at her showcase with the reel she’s put together. I know my agent’s gonna be there with bells on. Even if it doesn’t happen for her as an actress, there’ll be a place for her somewhere in the business. I get the feeling I might end up working for her one of these days and am glad I was nice when she started hitting me up on Facebook … :)</p>
<p>fish…I don’t want to say on the forum what my D is involved in with OSF (and it is close to a year so far) because it would identify her due to press about it. Feel free to click my name and send an email if interested.</p>
<p>^ I found out what it is. Great deal! :D</p>
<p>Thanks Fish, it is a wonderful opportunity and she is hard at work on it.</p>
<p>This is a great discussion. Fishbowl and others say many wise things. My 16 year old has an agent and is almost equity; perhaps I can add my own two cents:</p>
<ol>
<li> Not all agents are equal. Not to criticize the agents, as this is a tough business, but some agents are far more connected than others, some are better at one thing than another, and so on. I know MANY actors who drop their agents because they hardly got sent out.<br></li>
<li>From the agents’ perspective, I can’t tell you how many times I"ve heard agents complain about actors’ poor ability to market themselves. This includes ludicrous headshots - ALWAYS have a professional headshot that represents the REAL YOU. Do not present yourself as a slut. Do NOT photoshop yourself to oblivion and do NOT have a headshot of yourself when you were 50 lbs less or 5 years younger. NOTHING ****es off casting directors more than an actor who walks in who doesn’t look at all like his/her headshot. Also, provide as much online as possible: Have an audio and video reel available and posted. YOu will automatically be excluded from many calls without these. Yet you would be surprised at the number of actors who don’t have these–they don’t want to spend $200 for a professional one, and don’t realize it is an essential investment.<br></li>
<li>This is a business. YOu have to market yourself. YOu need to be professional. YOu would not believe how competitive it is. My son was called for a Nick audition and it was the most dispiriting thing to watch the parade of stunningly gorgeous people walking in and out of the audition. You don’t konw how it is until you do it–the movie/TV/internet auditions are different–very quick, and almost always filmed, which is a different style of acting. MY son has yet to be cast in a movie/TV role, although he’s auditioned now for about seven or so (this is agent-screened, not a cattle call). Each time required an all day commitment.</li>
<li>For those who want to try strictly MT and acting, most top agents will represent you only if you’re already equity. This is where the showcase is golden–if you’re lucky to find the agent. But as is already pointed out,you may not get taken even if you’re super talented and you may get taken, and then find out the agent doesn’t send you out for anything. Or you may get taken and YOU don’t do a good job with your headshot/reel. If your agent DOES tell you to audition for something, AUDITION. You would be really surprised how many people actually tell the agent they have a conflict and don’t go. If you are trying to establish yourself, you need to make that your first priority, even if it means your day job will fire you if you go to the audition. Tough decision but that’s what it takes.<br></li>
<li>Everyone says this, but this is a very tough business, and Fishbowl is right that it’s rapidly changing. There are many new online opportunities, but the pay sucks (if it’s for pay at all). But you should absolutely audition for these as it is an opportunity for connections and experience, and looks good on a resume. The ‘world’ is far smaller than you realize–people know people, and you keep meeting someone who knows someone. You need to put yourself out there. But it can be really really dispiriting–Fishbowl is right, it is definitely a marathon. Also, it is expensive. Working for free or very ltitle means you have to have another way to support yourself, but at the same time, this job needs to be flexible enough that you can drop it at any time at any moment for an audition or a run. Very tough.</li>
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<p>So back to the original: It is definitely great to have a showcase, but I don’t think it is a be all or end all. There are other ways to get out there and be noticed. Interning is a fantastic opportunity and if you have it, you should seize it. While you ar interning, make it your top priority. I know of an actor who decided to take off 2 weeks to ‘go to a wedding’ in Las VEgas with his pals and blew off his intern responsibilities–very bad decision. Again, it’s a small world. Also, there are many agent panels too-you pay $100-$200 for the privilege of 3-5 agents to audition you. Many many actors take advantage of this. It sounds sleezy but it’s legit. I"ve known many actors who find representation that way. They will also provide you with business feedback–what ‘type’ you could be, how you can improve your resume, etc.</p>