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Today is:
THE PERFECT SUBMISSION LETTER
Perhaps one of the more controversial questions is what goes into a good letter to an agent. Do you hard sell or soft sell? Make it personal or all business? How much 'personality' should come through?
Everybody has a story of something that worked for someone. The fax a day method saying "(Insert name) is coming." The face on a wine label method.
Whatever.
In my experience, the letter that works best for the vast majority of people is a simple three paragraph letter.
PARAGRAPH ONE: WHY ME?
The first paragraph introduces you and should tell the reader why he or she is being contacted by you. Agents are sensitive folks and we hate to feel that we're just a name in the Ross Reports to you. Did someone refer you? Are you a friend of a client and did they say to write me? Did we go to the same school? See the section on PERSONAL CONNECTION for more on this.
PARAGRAPH TWO: WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO?
The second paragraph should talk about what you've been up to lately. Did you just finish a show? An indie film? A spot on a TV show? Just have an amazing callback for something? Finish a terrific class? In short...why should the reader care?
PARAGRAPH THREE: HOW CAN I SEE YOUR WORK?
The third paragraph is how we can connect beyond the letter and picture. If I am interested, how can I see you in something? Do you have a showcase coming up? Is one of your indie films at a local festival? Can I see you on LAW AND ORDER next week? Or best yet, do you have a REEL?
WHAT NOT TO PUT IN A LETTER
- What roles you see yourself doing or what actors you're like. Agents like to make the decision for themselves.
- How hard you'll work for me and how much money you'll make me. Again, let us make that call. We assume you'll work hard.
- That you're a Christian, Gay, Republican or otherwise actor and damn proud of it. Unless you know FOR A FACT that a particular label is going to help your quest, this sort of information adds nothing, and if I happen to be a Jewish, Straight, Democrat (Which I am, how do you like that?) and don't like CGR's (not true, some of my best friends and all...) it might disadvantage you.
- Don't tell me you're interested in work I don't do. Don't ask about commercials if the agency doesn't do them. Ditto for v/o work, commercial print and (ick) extra work. All this info is avail in many sources, including the Ross Reports
- Don't send me candy or cookies. I assume they're poisoned.
ANDY'S PERFECT SUBMISSION LETTER
Dear Mr. Lawler:
Always know the name of the person who reviews the pics. No one likes to be just Sir or Madam or worse yet Mr. To Whom It May Concern.
I am an actor new to the city. I grew up in Chicago and just graduated from the University of North Carolina and found out we were fellow alumni. Your client, TONY MANGANO suggested I get in touch with you after we were both called back by BRETT GOLDSTEIN, the casting director for THE BEAT. Brett also suggested I contact you.
It doesn't get better than this. We both grew up in the same city, we went to the same school, and you have referrals from both a client and a casting director. In the real world just one of these might get you in the door.
I just booked a recurring u/5 on Guiding Light after being called back for a contract role. I've also been called back for SPIN CITY. I just completed work on a play at EST after finishing their seminar on Acting. The Indie film I shot has been accepted at Sundance.
You get the drill. What have you done lately. This tells me as much about your drive as it does your success. Enough said.
You can see me next week on Guiding Light, and my film is playing at the Angelika as part of the IFP. I also have a reel of selected scenes I can send you. I'm also doing GOLDEN BOY at the Judith Anderson theatre and would be happy to set aside a pair of tickets for you. I'll send you a postcard the week before we open.
And this is how I see your work. Plenty of options there, but again all I need is one. There are even some agents who regularly have people so scenes or monologues in their offices. I confess we only do that 4 times a year or so. You get the idea though.
Sincerely,
Ima Actor
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