"None of us suddenly becomes something overnight. The preparations have been in the making for a lifetime.- Gail Goodwin


Day 225: Today I decided to email a handful of managers on my target list while I take a minute to decide whether or not to move forward with the manager who offered to sign me. Since I have a week to make a decision, this is what I sent out to the managers on my list...

Subject: Meeting this week?

Hi *****, 

I've recently been offered representation from another management company and would love to meet with you before making any decisions.  

7 quick tidbits about me:

  • I wrote & starred in the webseries "Diary of a Wedding Planner." You can view the most recent episode here.
  • In my last 7 commercial auditions I've had 3 callbacks and 1 avail. Almost there!
  • I'm currently producing the official documentary on the Mitrice Richardson story.
  • I'm continuing to study audition & on-camera technique in an ongoing class at Stan Kirsch Studios.
  • I'm staying in shape by returning to my former love of hip-hop dance at Your Neighborhood Dance Studio.
  • Have a versatile look- rocking my natural hair for commercial auditions & long curls for anything theatrical.
  • Have a stable night job in production that keeps my days completely free for auditions. No golden handcuffs!
If you have room in your roster for an adorably sassy mid-20's black chick who values training, I'd love to meet with you at your earliest convenience.

Cheers,
Brandi Ford


Notice what I didn't have on there? Something that says, I recently booked... because I HAVEN'T BOOKED ANYTHING SO FAR THIS YEAR and we're about to be in SEPTEMBER!!!! AAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH$*%&^$%$@$#@$!!!!!

If you can't tell, it's frustrating. I'm frustrated. *Sigh* But I had to write something so I called attention to what sounded good in my head.


Well, these were the 3 {mildly depressing} same day responses I received:

  1. Who is the other company followed 5 minutes later with I saw your reel. This is a pass for me. 
  2. Thank you for your interest.  I do have a couple of clients who would be a direct conflict and it would not be fair to you or them to meet. Best of luck.
  3. Hi Brandi: Take the rep offered! I can't take on another actor at your level right now! 
After eating some ice cream {doesn't that make EVERYTHING just feel better, at least temporarily?}, I soaked in what the first manager had to say and resolved to shoot some more footage for my reel. I already knew I needed to add some dramatic scenes to it but this highlights that need even more.

Bottomline: Gotta get this taken care of and until I do, no more submissions to representation.

3 Responses
  1. Zuri Says:

    Ice Cream is wonderful.


  2. Ginger Says:

    Girl, I am doing the same thing right now (after months of being paralyzed with fear to even try to submit) and I feel you. But for the record, even if you haven't booked anything *YET* this year, your list of credentials is REALLY impressive. You are a go-getter, and if you keep that up, you are gonna get 'em!

    I do hate how curt and douchey agents and managers are when they aren't interested, though. They don't even TRY to let you down easy...they don't know how to communicate like real humans!

    Keep that courage - it's an inspiration!


  3. Brandi Ford Says:

    @Zuri- your comments always make me smile.

    @SKW- Yeah it's pretty interesting how rude some reps can be when they let you down but it just makes it easier for me to decide which ones to keep on my list for the future and who to remove permanently. Anyhow, thanks for the encouragement!


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