We were lucky to catch up with Lana Marie recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lana, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you’ve thought about whether to sign with an agent or manager?

I got my 1st agent around 2004, I was new to film acting. I had done one indie film with a very short scene and had Theater experience from school. My agent at the time thought I had potential and took a chance on me. He tried to teach me the industry, what to look out for, and started me with small gigs. Most gigs were out of town because my agency was a small company that was about 3 hours from me and did mostly local gigs.

I have gone through several agents since then, each experience different, and lessons have been learned from each. Yet I appreciate every single one, I needed to find the right one for me. It took time to find an agency that I felt really worked for me.

Let’s rewind…There was a agency local to me, everyone wanted to be in and I saw it as my dream agency. It had connections, It was a known agency with tons of respect, and they had been around for some time. I tried to apply to it every year (which was the allowed time to reapply). I read there requirements, and worked on them. I took acting classes, practiced my acting at home, researched nearly daily online and in person (where applicable: newspapers, books, magazines, word of mouth, etc.) I looked up casting to indies and commercials, joined the states film hotline, read about scams, read about acting styles, and anything acting related. I would go to all the auditions I could find. (once I verified they were legit or I’d bring someone for safety). I’d learn as much as I could and build up my acting resume. Several years and reapplications go by, I didn’t give up. You have to really understand in this industry “Rejection” and not get upset by it.

I saw it as not rejection, but more of It wasn’t meant to be, and something else will be for me. The other actors are not my competition, They were just meant for that role, and my day will come too. I feel we should be more supportive of each other, after all we have the same passion and may even all work with each other some day. We all work better with support and probably have a lot to learn from each other. I am in competition with myself to be and do better. I finally got my “dream agency”, she called me up one day and said she had been watching me through the years as I grew and felt we would work well together. I came in for the Interview, She asked me what I wanted in my career, and just really had a nice talk to get to know each other. I was extremely nervous and excited. When I asked if a monologue was needed, She had stated she had seen my work and videos through the years, so it was not needed. I was instantly signed that day.

My previous agents would do an interview, ask some questions, and then have me preform a theatrical monologue and a comedic monologue in front of them like an audition. They would sometimes go over my resume, look at my headshots, talk about my skills and experience. Some would recommend what I need to do next , if needed. I would be told at the end of the interview if they wanted to sign me, and given my contract. Which I recommend to everyone to take a day or so, to go over your contract and make sure you understand everything before signing. If something is needed discuss it with your agent and make sure it’s in that contract. If you have a lawyer or lawyer friend you can go over it with them to make sure everything is good.

After several years I switched to another agency, had more connections, had more auditions coming in, as well as had more locations it covered. I thought I get more gigs with it. After a time I moved on from it as well, cause it just did not work out.

Then we get to my current agency, It was a new agency, but with a staff who was very familiar with the industry here. The instant I walked in, It felt right. I was treated respectfully, and any questions I had they answered. They were very knowledgeable and aware of what is going on in the industry. There websites, and information are always up to date. And they were very informative. It’s been some years now, and I feel like I’ve grown with them.

Some of the things that are important to me with agency’s is: communication, can we contact each other with fair amount of time. Do they answer my questions when needed and professionally, there is so much miscommunication within some agency’s that you can easily get confused on what is going on, then lose a gig. Some agents will even get angry if you ask questions, which should not be an issue (I understand if there busy of course, sometimes it’s just timing). We are a team that works together, we need proper communication to do what we need to do, so it doesn’t get messed up. Another important factor, How many auditions are coming in? Do I get submitted to enough of them? It’s your job to get the role, but are you getting enough chances to do so.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am an Actor and Mixed Media Artist, as well as I do costume design and occasionally live stream.

In my teen to college years, yet I was a bit introverted, I wanted to try acting. I grew up to watching movies and music videos, fell in love with characters and stories. I wanted to recreate that feeling for others, when you watch a movie and it makes you think, change perspective, or it’s nostalgic, inspires, or just invokes some kind of feeling. I also enjoy becoming characters, being able to see or be in a new perspective. I got into theater, then later film. A few years in my journey I discovered Voice acting, yet intimating at times, I completely fell in love with it. I could be anyone, or thing, I wanted to be without the limits of my looks.

Intertwined with my acting I was doing digital art/ mixed media art work, modeling, and costume design. I love to create and I love to bring characters to life. Just like my acting I wanted my pictures to tell a story or to those who view it, to feel something.

My acting, costume endeavors, mixed with modeling lead to cosplay eventually. I was trying to recreate photoshoots of characters and backgrounds from movies I loved, and was tired of being seen as my “look” in the acting industry is only good for a limit amount of roles…I wanted to show I could have more “looks”. Someone saw my work and told me about Cosplay. Soon after I got invited to conventions (comic book, anime, sci fi, etc.) as a guest to show off my handmade costumes, as well as judge in there contests.

I occasionally live stream. I play video games or work on my costumes. I casually play retro games, mortal kombat, or just random weird surprises.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

It wasn’t a thing back when I started. The resources have gotten much more available with the growth of social media and the internet being more involved with everything you can think of out there.

I wish I would of had what we have now, where you can use Youtube to find examples of performances, and acting styles. You can use youtube to discover how to use a new tool or create a themed look in photoshop for your digital artwork needs. You can look up patterns and prop designs for costumes on Youtube, some will even include templates. There are tons of How to’s on YouTube. There are a tons of articles just a search away on Google.

There are also dedicated forums and online groups that can help you figure out something that may be given you issues, give support, or even give you criticism and tips on how to learn.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Seeing your creations brought to life to share with others, and seeing people actually enjoy your work, or be inspired by it.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.LanaMarieLive.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LanaMarieLive
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LanaMarieLive
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/LanaMarieLive
• Other: Twitch: https://www.twitch.com/LanaMarieLive

Image Credits
Photographers: Icon Photo/Sam, and MDR Foto / Mark