In the almost two years that I have started working
professionally I have not had it easy. After my honours year (for various singular reasons) I couldn’t get an
agent. When emailing and calling yielded no results I signed a yearlong
contract with a casting agency in January last year. I figured that it was better than nothing at all, and any experience would be good. A casting agency is very different
from an agent, and although they were good to me I can’t earn a living from the
occasional briefs they sent me. What I needed was an agent. An in November last
year, a friend I had met on set graciously gave me the number of a friend of
hers who is also a booking agent for a really good agency in Johannesburg.
So I phoned him, and sent him my CV. I received a reply via
email that they were interested in signing me, but it was problematic as I was still
bound in contract to the casting agency. I informed him that I would be able to
terminate the contract in January without hassle. He then told me to contact
him in January once I had done this, and we would then be able to talk about me
joining their agency. Thank heavens for mothers who make her overeager daughters call the agency before I terminated my contract. Because when I did call in the
beginning of January voice mail and automated replies informed me that my
contact was out of the country and that I should contact him again in February.
So when February rolled around I called again. I was assured the head of the
agency would look at my CV the following day and a decision would be made. So I
called again the next day, and was told that my CV was being looked over at the
very moment. I received an email moments later. After I had been following
exact instructions I received correspondence that ran somewhat to the tune of:
“Unfortunately after speaking to the head of the agency it
was confirmed that the position he wanted to place me in was filled. It’s a
pity that we cannot keep open slots for so long.”
About a month after this communication a good friend of mine
signed with the same agency.
So I started the whole dry canvassing and emailing thing
again looking for an agent. I have many friends at agents, who I’m sure wouldn’t
mind speaking to their agents for me, but a part of me at that stage still felt
that somebody with my qualifications should get an agent without needing to ask
friends for help. A resolve which I regretted after email upon email told me
that they weren’t taking on actresses in my ‘category’. And it started taking
its toll.
So I stuck it out, focussing on my Masters. And I did have an
incredible year, full of opportunities. But opportunities which I had to get
all on my own, especially as I only did one job in January via the casting
agent. So when October rolled around, the time at which most agents start
bringing in new talent as the universities and colleges start closing I friend I
was working with at the time who knew about my ‘agent situation’ and offered to
speak to his agent for me. I sent my CV along, but as I learned earlier this
year I could not rely on any one agency. So with new photographs I started
phoning again. One of the agents I phoned was Leads Artists Agency. I was
transferred from the general line to one of the agents in the company. He asked
me a few questions, gave me his personal email address and asked if I had any
footage, or youtube links to my work. I sent the links, my CV and photo, but
had learned better than to expect anything. So when my phone rang the next day
I was caught completely off guard.
I was told that they liked my CV, and that he also liked the
sound of my voice. We made a date for me to go and see them at their offices. We had what I felt like was a good session. And by the end
of the session I was told that if I still wanted to sign with them I needed to
let them know within 2 – 3 weeks. And then, if they were still interested in me
we could talk.
About two and a half weeks after I spoke to my Mom on the
phone on a Thursday saying that I would phone Leads that Monday say that I would like to sign
with them. The next morning I received an email from Leads…
And now its website official. Just when I thought the year
was nearing its end for me the New Year is twinkling with the lure of possibilities.
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