Margaret Hamilton was a kindergarten teacher before she earned the part of the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz.
Carmen Dell’Orefice was working as a model at age 80.
At some point, most people have wondered what it would be like to model or act. If this is something you really want to do, it’s important to remember, like the examples listed above, age should not be a hurdle.
At 32, I’ve never worked and been booked more than now. Part of this is due to experience, but there are also a lot more roles available for 30-somethings. Mom, bank manager, teacher, nurse, all are roles open at this age.
Hard work, a knack for networking and a good handle on personal hygiene are all key traits to these occupations.
How to get started?
Mine was an example of what not to do.
I attended a “We can make you famous!” recruiting event at the Holiday Inn in Mansfield and begged my parents to allow me to sign with the agency they were promoting.
Both mom and dad were against it from the start, especially after the agency charged $1,500 for a mandatory, 12-week acting/modeling course. It took about 15 minutes to understand I was scammed. The “course” was more appropriate for a finishing school. But with too much invested and simply too proud, I finished.
Promotional modeling was the only “job” that came from it, which basically consisted of standing inside a mall handing out samples of shampoo.
Finally, a friend steered me to a completely different agency, that had real work and no classes. The first agency made its money by forcing unassuming rookies to take agency acting courses. The second company made money by taking a standard 15-percent cut out of the work its actors/models booked.
Lesson learned.
There are many good agencies in Ohio: Talent Group, CAM Talent, Heyman Talent, Docherty, to name a few, and the only fee talent should incur is a very small listing fee, once signed, to appear on their respective websites.
Headshots and comp cards are readily available online at these agencies. Clients scour agency websites to book their talent pool, rather than sifting through thousands of headshots.
So how does it work?
Every agency will have submission guidelines listed on their website. Traditionally it consists of sending in regular snapshots of your mug shot and one full body shot.
If you have a talent resume (not the one that lists your work with Taco Bell and American Eagle), send that in, along with your measurements.
It’s very simple.
If the agency is interested, they will contact you to come in for an audition and meeting.
Once signed, you usually have two options: Go into the agency for auditions or self-tape them. Not every agency allows for self-submission, but Ohio is pretty good about it.
For beginners, taping at the agency is probably best. Agents provide great feedback and direction for auditions and do all the tape and editing work for you.
However, once you feel comfortable to tape on your own, it’s definitely nice to audition at your convenience with unlimited “do-overs.”
Whether you want to do it on the side or attempt to make a full-time career out of it, the entertainment industry is definitely an exciting one.
I’ve been fortunate to model for a Fisher Price toy box, serve as a principal actress for the Lifetime film “Cleveland Abduction,” and was a stand-in host for Reese Witherspoon at the 2015 National Christmas Tree Lighting.
What used to seem like this untouchable career isn’t so challenging anymore.
It can be exciting, but it can be wearing, too. Persistence is so important, and being rejected is a regular part of the job.
Still, if it’s what you want, go for it and break a leg!
