Welcome to Coastal Talent Kids and Teens ATLANTA!

It can be confusing getting all of your "tools" together so that I can represent you to the best of my ability, so I wrote out this long “WELCOME LETTER” to detail the steps that you need to take.  Thanks for taking the time to read it over carefully because it will answer any of your questions!


*****FOR #6, YOU WILL NEED THE NAME AND NUMBER that I will send to you.... Please make sure that you are using the EXACT name that I written and that you use THIS number!   If I have not sent you this number, then please DO NOT sign up until I send it to you.  I have to write LA and THEY send me your info!!****

1)  The most important tool you have is your professional HEADSHOT.
(see our website for recommended photographers! www.CoastalTalentKidsAndTeens.com)    You will need to send me 15-20, with resumes attached to the back.  You will need at least 25 for yourself.  While you do not HAVE to use one of these photographers, you SHOULD get your photographer approved by me---it will save you A LOT of time and MONEY.

2)  Your resume should have the CTK color logo across the top.  Please EMAIL me a copy of your resume as an attachment in WORD so that we can work it into the necessary form.  I will put the logo on the top.  PLEASE READ THE MESSAGE BOARD ABOUT RESUMES IN THE TOP FOLDER BEFORE YOU SEND ME THE RESUME!!  (see below)  Our resume style is probably very different from what you have been using!

3)  CTK has a private MESSAGE BOARD that is only accessible after you receive an invitation from “DIRECTOR” and accept into the system.  You should check this EVERY DAY.  We post casting calls, location information, tips, news, etc.  In general, you should receive an invitation within 48 hours after I receive your signed contract.

Note:  the message board will be overwhelming when you first get on there.    Most of what you NEED to know is in the FIRST STEPS AT CTK folder, located on the top of the left column.  Read through that and continue to check there first when you have questions.  Then, I suggest using the drop down box just above there that says “Show Discussions” and choosing “past two days” and then you won’t get slammed with thousands of posts.  Of course, you are welcome to peruse everything when you have the spare time---it will give you an idea of what we’ve been doing, the other moms/dads in the agency, etc.

4)  If you haven’t done this already, your contract needs to be signed and faxed to 706-295-7527.  No cover letter is needed.  In general, I give new people only 3-4 days to get their contract back to me.

There are TWO online databases that you must fill out.

5)  www.800casting.com  is an independently run site that charges $19.95 a year to talent.  Many of you will already have come through that site if you clicked on the "new submissions" button on our front
page of the website.  If not, you can start your own page and on the AGENCY LINK you put in GA-242 and it will link to my system.    Make sure to hit the LINK or TRANSFER button after you enter this info, otherwise it will not link you!  PLEASE make sure that you fill out EVERY required question, or it will not
allow me to activate your file.

(((We DO NOT have ANYTHING to do with this site other than we use their services to promote you--we do NOT receive ANY kind of reimbursement for you signing up!)))

6)  ACTORS ACCESS is FREE to you for their basic service. ( I pay a couple hundred dollars a month to be on there…many agencies do not!)

You should NOT start this process until you receive your NAME and NUMBER from me.  Once you do, you will follow these directions:        (IF you are already on there, you need to notify me immediately with the EXACT name that you use.)

 To set up/access your account:
 1) Go to www.ActorsAccess.com
 2) Click on the link on the right that says "register today for free"
 3) Type in your name EXACTLY AS IT IS LISTED ABOVE! Fill in date of
 birth and click OK.
 4) If your name comes up and it IS you, then you click on that.
 5) Use the NUMBER* that I give you to complete your form.  ...please make sure to use the EXACT name and number that I send!
 6) Use YOUR email address and YOUR password—do not send stuff to me.
 7) Make sure that you fill out all of the questionnaire with the skills, hobbies, etc.
 8) Fill out your resume, keeping in mind what is PROFESSIONAL and  supposed to be on there and what is NOT supposed to be on there.

Note that you will need to update both of these databases when your height/weight changes or when you take a class or book a job!  It’s a good idea to just check it once a month.

7)  If you need to MAIL me something, (like headshots), send it to:
Coastal Talent Kids and Teens
3 Central Plaza Suite 344
Rome GA 30161-3233

8)  If you have other siblings, please email me a good photograph of them!  Also, we’d love to have a FAMILY shot as well.  We get A LOT of requests for “real families”!

9)  Finally, a few words about communication:

PLEASE check your email several times a day.  When things are busy, I may email you A LOT and you will need this information.  You should use an email that you can access both at work and at home if at all possible!!

Please ANSWER your cell phone.    I NEVER call to “just chat” so if you see my number pop up, please answer it.  In fact, put me in your phone so that you know who is calling!  404-660-7709

This may sound silly, but keep your cell phone ON and within hearing distance even when you are home.  (You can charge it with it on, you know!)

If I only have ONE phone number for you, you are probably missing out on auditions…give me an “emergency” number (like a close friend, grandparent, etc) who would be able to find you if I can’t!

One Final Note:

You will find that I’m not one of those agents that you just need to “check in with”…. So please don’t waste your time or my time doing the “making up an excuse to call“ thing.  If you haven’t heard from me in a while and wonder if I am “doing anything”…I am.  If you feel that you are “stagnant,”  examine what YOU are doing.  If you aren’t “doing anything” for your child’s career then perhaps YOU need to give YOURSELF that “check in” call.  If you ARE doing something, then that gives you something to drop me an email about---like your child just took the XYZ workshop, booked an indy film, etc.  J  I love to hear what you are doing!   We also have a MySpace www.myspace.com/CoastalTalentKids and I try to put up photos of what our kids are up to, so send me your photos, too!

If you have questions, please email me--that is the best way for you to correspond with me!  I look forward to working with you and your talented child!

--
Barbara Garvey
Coastal Talent Kids & Teens ATLANTA
404-660-7709

www.CoastalTalentKidsAndTeens.com