If I Heard This Comment Over 30 Years Ago, I Might Not Be an Actor

I recently heard this comment from an agent. If I heard it
when I was starting in the industry, I might not have entered the business.

Not All Agents Understand the Industry

Starting an acting or modeling agency, does not automatically
mean that the agent understands how to run the business properly.

I recently heard about an agency opening up  in a small market.
Since I am always looking for more ways to find work, I decided
to submit my head shot as requested.

The agent responded by saying that she needed a head shot showing
teeth. That is not the look I like for my commercial head shot.

It is Not True That You Have to Show Teeth
to Create an Effective Head Shot

I like my look more with a closed smile. For my face
it is more interesting.

There was an ad I did that showed teeth that was
shot for Nationwide Insurance.

I sent it to the agent so she at least knew
that I did have teeth in my mouth.

Her reply was somewhat stern. She will only
work with actors who have “perfect” teeth,
so I should invest in invisalign and get my
teeth straightened.

Yes, I Admit, I Was a Little Angry

I explained to the agent that with the teeth I have
in my mouth, I had booked:
A recurring role on House of Cards
A week contract on Gotham
Worked on projects such as:
Mr. Robot
Philomena
The Wire
Halt & Catch Fire
Rectify
West Wing
Coca-Cola
McDonalds
Accura
Toys R. Us
Disney World
to name a few of the more than 1,200 projects I have booked.

Yes, I know there was a little anger in my response. But, I nicely told the agent
that I was not going to have work done to my teeth, so I won’t be able
to work with her. Really, not to accept an actor because his or her teeth
were not perfect. That is crazy.

And, I did wish her best of luck with her agency and hoped it was successful.

I imagine that if I heard those words when I first got started, it might have made
me think that this was not the right industry for me.

I am sharing this information with you to make sure you know that just
because an agent tells you something, it does not mean that it is correct
or that it makes any sense.

For people just getting started, they might think that having a perfect body,
perfect teeth, the perfect look is a necessary criteria in order to have success in both
the acting and commercial modeling industry.

Nothing can be further from the truth.
This was an editorial shot I did for Maxim Magazine.
They never would have hired a great looking person for
this photo. I was the funeral home director sizing you
up to estimate how long you will live.

Agents might say things you don’t want
to hear or like. But, good agents will give
you really helpful information.

There are others in the industry who are
clueless, but unless you understand and
really know the industry, you might not
know what is helpful and is simply misinformation.

Let me and others know if you received any
outlandish or incorrect information from
others in the industry.

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Can’t wait to talk again soon.
Aaron
P.S. Feel free to share this throughout your social media platforms.

About the Author: Aaron Marcus

Aaron Marcus has been a full-time actor and commercial model for over 36 years. His new book, How to Become a Successful Actor and Model is an Amazon Best Seller. Aaron has given his seminar: "Book the Job" over 800 times spanning 3 continents. He also offers online workshops. Aaron saves 5 days each month to give private on-line coaching sessions. Subscribe to his Acting and Modeling Quick Tips Channel and have free access to 270 + videos <ahttps://www.youtube.com/c/aaronmarcusactingandmodelingquicktips?sub_confirmation=1.