Dear Toni,
I am an American actress, originally from Virginia and have just moved to Los Angeles from London where I went to drama school. While there I received the Peter Howitt Scholarship Award, and in the last year, worked in London doing classical and modern plays. I am now living in Los Angeles and have booked Passions The Television Soap Opera.
My question to you is: How do I go about getting the best manager and agent for myself, taking into consideration what I have to offer? I am an American, but I speak fluent Spanish (my mother is from Spain) and I have perfected a charming British accent as well!"
Thank you Toni!
Christina Edland
Dear Christina,
You sound extremely talented. I admire actors who can speak different languages. I can imagine it must be hard to translate from English to any other language and vice versa. I cannot imagine you having any problem with Showbiz in Hollywood. It sounds like you have the chops (suddenly I am speaking in music terminology) and the techniques necessary for the new movies that love to use character performers as well as leading actors – this is the category I would put you in.
To get a manager pick up a booklet of managers in Los Angeles from Breakdown Services or Samuel French. Send them your headshots along with a typed letter containing a brief description of yourself and your qualifications. I suggest you say the same things you have written to me. It makes you sound like a well traveled, educated and talented actress.
Once you find a good manager, let the manager find you a good agent. I have discovered that certain managers and agents have their preferences for whom they work with. If the agent and manager already have a history of together then you have a great team. Good Luck Christina. Please write us and tell us how you faired.
Thank you for taking the time to write.
Toni Attell
Toni Attell is a hypnotherapist and acting coach. For people interested in her acting classes please call (818) 787-8685. For hypnotherapy go to www.hypnosis4you.net