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ARCHIVE INTERVIEW 2 - Liz Fell (Agent)

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The shelf life of a talent agent is a short one. You only
need to go through recent publications of Agents Listing
or Management Publications to discover that 10% of the
agents listed a year ago no longer exist!

It is a risky business but a rewarding one just the same.
One such person who is throwing herself into the murky
waters of entertainment representation and management
is Liz Fell.

I spoke to her recently about the ups and downs of working
in a unpredictable arena:

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A. WHAT COMES AS A SHOCK TO MOST ASPIRING PRESENTERS?

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LIZ: When they sign with an agent they think that
everything will happen immediately. Overnight success
takes years of work. There are more hours of sitting around
and waiting than actually working. The waiting will often
kill off people's energy and enthusiasm.

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B. WHAT SKILLS DO THEY NEED?

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LIZ: A good showreel is imperative. A good showreel that
is well produced will go a long way in this business. In
fact it will often outdo a good audition if you can prove
that your on camera presence is strong.

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C. YOUR ADVICE TO PRESENTERS?

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You need to be persistent and be determined. You also
must be prepared to turn rejection into a positive result.
Always ask what you can do better - ask why you didn't get
a job or audition!

Liz Fell's website can be found at www.lizfellagency.com
An extended video interview with Liz can be viewed on the
How To Be A TV Star product 'Your Big Break' DVDV Series
- out now!

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Copyright © 2007 by Nick Piper, Derrick Siu and Plop
Entertainment. All information, text, graphics, audio, design
and software are copyrighted works of Plop Entertainment.
All Rights Reserved.

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ARCHIVE ARTICLE 5 - Your Career As A Business

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TREAT IT AS A BUSINESS!

Setting yourself up as a business is vital if you are
serious about taking this hobby or interest to the level
of a career. Setting yourself up as a business does not
require a great deal of work. Taking the following necessary
steps will also solidify the fact that you are serious in
your endeavours:

Set aside an area at home where you can keep your contact
list, phone, script material and administration. Like any
home-based business, make sure that it is a workspace
ONLY. Have a television nearby so that you are able to
watch tapes and record shows.

Plan in advance the hours during the day you will work
on your television career. If you work a 9am to 5pm day
then plan a couple of hours in the morning or evening to
dedicate to your work. Be strict and disciplined.

Register a business name and set up a business account.
You may not have a great deal of industry or money
flowing through them initially but it is another step
towards taking yourself seriously.

Better still, spend a little money on printing a few business
cards. It adds to the professional image you are trying to
create. Networks prefer to deal with serious aspirants instead
of fame-seeking wannabes who will disappear in a week.

Buy a wall planner and set some deadlines. It is wise to
work to various time scales in order to achieve your goals.
Also print up your hit list and place it on the wall in
front of you.

Go to a garage sale and pick up a cheap filing cabinet, desk,
whiteboard or corkboard and you have a NEW home office.

A fax machine or computer would also be handy as any
communication can be made directly to you. The phone does not
need to be answered by your annoying younger brother or
irresponsible flat-mates if it is in your workspace.

Business related advice can be found in the up-coming Manual
'How To Be A TV Star' by Nick Piper - stay tuned for the 2007
release date!


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Copyright © 2007 by Nick Piper, Derrick Siu and Plop
Entertainment. All information, text, graphics, audio, design
and software are copyrighted works of Plop Entertainment.
All Rights Reserved.

It is of vital importance that you know who makes all the
big decisions in television.

If you are approaching a TV network, who should you speak
to?

Who is in charge of employment?

Who really has the final say when it comes to casting
decisions?

One person you should get to know rather quickly is Henrie
Stride - the TV Presenter Casting Director at Channel 9.
Henrie's position has been created simply due to the enormous
demand and growth potential of TV presentation as a career.

Channel NINE is the only commercial network in Australia
that has a casting director specifically employed to look
after TV Presenters.

Here is a quick look at her profile:

HENRIE STRIDE
With more than ten years experience in film and television,
Stride is responsible for sourcing and identifying new talent
to join Nine's on-air stable across all genres, including
lifestyle and infotainment, light entertainment and reality.
After completing a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Media and
Communication, Stride began her career in casting at Mullinar's
in the early 1990s.

Stride has worked on a wide range of television drama series
(including Water Rats, The Bill, White Collar Blue and Home
and Away) and reality programs (including The Mole, My
Restaurant Rules, Stooged), as well as film (including Idiot
Box, Dirty Deeds, Matrix II & III) and television commercials.
In the past decade Stride has also worked in a variety of
production roles both in Australia and the UK, including
Production Management and Coordination on International Films &
Documentaries.

Another important member of your team is your agent. The
number of agencies that concentrate their efforts on
television presenters is increasing. One of the leading talent
managers for Presenters in Australia is Mark Morrissey.
Here is his profile:

MARK MORRISSEY
Mark is the Head of Mark Morrissey and Associates (MMA) He
has a successful history of representing Australia's top
talent and celebrities. MMA represents extraordinary people
of varied creative pursuits. His team work hand in hand with
major agencies, production houses and management companies
in Australia and throughout the world. Mark has a client
list to be proud of:

Andrew O'Keefe, James Mathison, Bob Downe, Spencer McLaren,
Daniel MacPherson, Bianca Dye, Sophie Monk, Belinda Emmett
and Georgie Parker.

His approach to representation are reflected in his philosophy:
'Nothing encourages a potential agent or manager more than to
know that an enthused client is well read, self motivated and
accurately aware of what the industry is doing. Be prepared for
hard work. I have never represented a successful client who
wasn't prepared to work hard. Learn self motivation. Aim to
improve and above all, to retain your sense of humour -
(you'll need it!)'

www.markmorrissey.com.au

A comprehensive video interview with Henrie Stride appears on
the 'Your Big Break' - A Career in Broadcasting DVD Series -
Available Now!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2007 by Nick Piper, Derrick Siu and Plop
Entertainment. All information, text, graphics, audio, design
and software are copyrighted works of Plop Entertainment.
All Rights Reserved.