As part of the Eric Morris Process BUSINESS is left for

last....Instrument,Craft and Business are all covered in the process We

leave business for last since it should come in that order.......

Instrument is about YOU and how  to access all the parts of you that you

will need to address material

Craft is they way you go about approaching the material and making it true

and personal to you within the context of the written

word....................

Business is the part that most people go for first and then go no

further......Business classes are taught in every state in the US but

without the support of instrument and craft it is like putting pretty

clothes on a skeleton..........pictures ,agents, websites, these are just

part of the business.

Let's start from the beginning...You have a desire to go into " SHOW

BUSINESS" where do you start? I think that I personally would research via

the web agents in your area that deal with our business. I would look for a

agent that is SAG/AFTRA/AEA as a start. Why? Because they have to answer to

a union if any problems arise..I would check to see that they have a

talent license and you can go on line in your state to check that...make

sure they have a valid license and are insured to do business in your

state. If you are new to the business make sure that you meet your agent in

person and tell them what your goals are.....they should be able to stear

you in the right course as far as classes and photographers....One of my

pet peeves  is agents talking children and new non  model types into

comps....they are expensive.... and the denote a model   Children will

outgrow the pictures very quickly and if you are not a model type all you

really need is a good color head shot...You can go on line and get them

printed yourself and save lots of money...Just google professional headshot

printers and you will get lots of hits....Do your research.....ask others

who are in the business where the best classes are ,,who does the best

headshots etc......steer clear of talent searches...........too many people

try to get into the business .......why would casting directors go looking

thru the general public for talent. ?....we know where to go to find what

we need and we rely on professionals to help us. Ask yourself what part of

this business you want to go into? Print? you have to be of a certain type

to do this  ........do you look like the people you see in the print media?

commercials? rely on a good agent to help you in this and get into a good

commercial class....and the film....this will take years of study to get a

craft but you have to start so if that is your area that you want to pursue

then get into a good class as soon as possible......improv classes are also

important for commercials.......Remember it can be a long haul to meet your

goals  but never stop learning and someday you may reach the star at the

top of the tree...and remember to have  a good sense of humor YOU WILL NEED

IT. 

Kathy Laughlin is a casting director and can be reached at icastings@mindspring.com