Talent Agency holding open calls for Models and Actors near Indianapolis

The Helen Wells Agency is holding a series of open calls for new talent, both actors and models near Indianapolis, Indiana. Founder Helen Wells started this agency in 1980 and still runs the company with the assistance of several of her five children. This is a legit, established, respected agency. Helen not only remains active in the business, but serves on the board of several companies, including the Better Business Bureau.

You will need to bring a current photograph (taken within the last month) that you can leave with the agency, the picture does not need to be professional taken, but it should be of you on your best, normal day, without extra makeup or photo manipulation. It should be in color and in focus. Again, this picture will not be returned to you. Also, bring a resume. It is only necessary if it is within the past year and pertinent to our industry.

You MUST download the information sheet and bring it with you.

CLICK HERE to download the information sheet.

● You should come casually dressed. Please bring a pen and pad of paper for note-taking purposes.

● Be on time. Late parties will be asked to return to an Open Call at a later date.

● Only the person interested in joining should attend the Open Call.

● Only one parent/guardian per child will be permitted, for Teen and Child Open Calls). Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

● Only bring the child/teen you are interested in joining the agency; these are our most well-attended open calls and seating is limited.

Which Open Call should you attend:

Children (5-12 years) should attend the Open Call for Children, regardless of acting or modeling ability/interest.

Teens (13-18 years) should attend the Open Call for Teens, regardless of acting or modeling ability/interest.

Adults (19+ years) who are interested in modeling or who would like more information about our agency and what we do, should attend the Open Call for Modeling.

Adults (19+ years) who have had acting experience should attend the Open Call for Actors.

If you are an adult interested in both modeling and acting, you may attend either open call. Open calls for teens are for ages 13-18 years. Open call for children are for ages 5- 12 years.

Open Call Details

November

Models: Tuesday November 10th, 2009 10:000am
Teens: Wednesday November 11th, 2009 3:30pm
Actors: Thursday November 12th, 2009 10:00am
Children: Wednesday November 18th, 2009 3:30pm

December

Models: Tuesday December 8th, 2009 10am
Teens: Wednesday December 9th, 2009 3:30pm
Actors: Thursday December 10th, 2009 10am
Children: Wednesday December 16th, 2009 3:30pm

Where:

Village of West Clay
12721 Meeting House Road
Carmel, IN 46032
CLICK HERE for directions.

Open Calls are held in the Green Room on the first floor of the Village of West Clay Meeting House.

How Much Do Talent Agents Make?

Agents get 10% commission from your income after you work. Now figure if Bruce Willis' agent books him on a job, and Bruce makes $25,000,000 per film, then the agent gets TEN PERCENT after taxes. That would be roughly $1,700,000 for booking Bruce Willis on that job.

But of the hundreds and hundreds of Agents and Sub-Agents in the business, only a tiny fraction of agents make over a million bucks a year. Most agents make less than $30,000 a year, and many don't even make a living off of it, they have other means of finances that allow them to be agents.

There is a HUGE turnover of agents who are starting out within the first two years of becoming an agent because it is extremely hard to become a successful professional Theatrical and/or Commercial Talent Agent. The "average" annual income of a Talent Agent (including these sub-agents, associate-agents, etc.) is roughly $25,000 per year.

What is Commissionable by Your Agent?

Independent Agents

If your agents are Independent (i.e., not affiliated with either ATA and/or NATR), and therefore still franchised by SAG, then these agents (as well as the SAG members they represent) continue to be protected by and bound to the terms and conditions of Rule 16(g). Hundreds of SAG franchised agents across the country have maintained their on-going relationship with SAG, and continue to loyally serve SAG’s members pursuant to the requirements of Rule 16(g). Any standard SAG agency contract you sign with an Independent Agency may be filed with, and processed by, the Guild.

How Film and Television Shows Are Cast

The Film and Television Studios give the "green light" for movies and TV shows to be produced.

Then the production companies hire casting directors, who in turn send out "breakdowns" of the characters being cast.

These "breakdowns" actually are sent out by a service called "Breakdown Services" and are only available to licensed Talent Agencies.

Then the agents at these agencies submit photos, resumes, and sometimes "demo-reels" to the casting directors.

Then the casting directors call in the actors that fit the roles they are casting, usually many many actors are called in.

Then they narrow it down to the best actors who came in and "call back" these actors to read again for the director, sometimes the writer, producer, etc.. Then they narrow it down further, and sometimes there are 3 - 4 "call backs" before an actor is finally hired.

Do I Need An Agent To Be Cast?

Although it is possible to be cast on a show or film with out having an agent, it is very difficult. This usually only happens with smaller roles, and of course with extras. The studios usually only deal with reputable licensed talent agencies when casting acting roles.

In addition, agents are the only ones who receive the "breakdowns" of what roles are being cast at a given time. And in most instances, a studio or production company will not negotiate a contract directly with talent.

I have personally landed several acting roles by randomly sending in my photo and resume to casting directors when I did not have an agent, but it is not common to land roles in this manner.

However, I do recommend sending in to casting directors randomly because you never know if they will be looking for your exact type when they receive your photo and resume.

Important Safety Information

Do NOT incude a home address when sending out your photo and resume. I always recommend using a PO BOX.

Also, NEVER meet someone outside of a professional environment such as a studio, agents, or casting office. Do NOT meet someone at a restaurant, private residence, etc. You should ALWAYS let someone else know EXACTLY where you are going, WHO you are meeting, and WHEN you are going there.

And a parent or guardian must ALWAYS accompany minors. A parent or guardian should NEVER be out of eyesight of the minor, whether it be at auditions or on set.

Talent Agents