Barry Godin is an actor, model and agent who represents Silver Models/Chelsea Talent. He has numerous television and theater credits and has been in the industry for over a decade. Silver Models/Chelsea Talent represent the models and talent in commercials, TV, soap opera, film, and theater.

What are the challenges of being an agent or casting director?

You always have to be looking for the people out there.

What is the impact of development centers?

The beauty of Nijah / New Faces Development is that everybody comes pre-packaged. You don’t have to send the models or talent to a photographer, or someone who has to make a resume for them—they’ve already done that. Another great thing about Nijah / New Faces Development is that they provide talent all over the Tri-State area. Although it’s great to travel and go to model and talent searches, the reality is that I live in New York and I’m here 9-5, Monday-Friday. Most of the serious agencies are here.

How has the Internet changed the modeling and entertainment industry?

Even though the Internet has changed this business drastically, we're not solely living off of it. It’s not there yet. I suspect it will be, someday, but right now you still have to go on casting calls and auditions. It goes back to development. If you have people that are completely packaged, they’re already on cue and that’s such a positive thing to find in our industry.

What are you looking for when you’re scouting new talent?

If it’s one word, it’s energy. Even if you're a smoldering heartthrob or a sexy temptress, it’s energy. If it doesn’t come off—you know, there’s an expression in show business: “You’re only as good as your first 10 seconds.” If it doesn’t scream at me in those first 10 seconds, we’re looking behind you at who’s standing next in line.

Should models and talent who are interested in this business but are inexperienced still try to break into this industry?

The beauty of young people in acting is that they compete on a level playing field. If you’re 18, you’re 18; you may not have three Broadway shows behind you. Maybe you’re competing for a 15-year-old's part, but you’re 18. If you start when you’re 28, it’s a totally different level. People may have three Broadway shows behind them. It’s great when young people come in here and they're developed. It helps, of course. When they can hit their mark, and they understand what 'back to one' means. That's important. When acting is concerned, you better be able to deliver.

What tips and pointers can you give to the people trying to make it?

Don’t do this, unless you cannot stand NOT doing it. I would also say to parents: there’s something that bit your child in the crib and said “you’re gonna be an actor” and that child isn’t going to be happy unless they are acting. I stress more than anything that parents have to be behind their children. Don’t tell your children to go to college to have something to fall back on—tell them to major in theater, and they’ll come out and be well-prepared.