Finding a good talent agent is essential for actors, but it can be difficult. Networking, improving skills, and having excellent headshots and a good resume can increase chances of hiring an agent. Researching the agent’s background and preparing for the interview are also important. Actors can also find opportunities without an agent by looking for castings and taking any job opportunity to increase visibility and make more contacts.
An essential for most actors is finding a good talent agent. This can be hard work, because most reputable agents are hassled by too many people who want them to act as their representatives. Certain steps can make it more likely that you’ll hire an agent, which is important because the likelihood of you being caught working at a local coffee shop is pretty small.
Even if you don’t currently work as an actor, you need to be around people who are. This means continuing your education by taking acting lessons or hiring an acting coach. Unless you’re lucky enough to be born into an acting family, your best chance of landing an agent is through referrals from other actors or acting coaches. By networking and constantly improving your skills, you’ll keep yourself ready for a referral.
You also need an excellent headshot or two. First, you should decide where you want to work, as the styles in these photographs vary. If you’re planning to work outside of Los Angeles, you want an LA photographer to take your headshot, while if you’re a devout New Yorker, have your photos taken there. Getting a photographer is much easier than getting an agent. Browse books or magazines to see the photographer’s best work and get recommendations from other actors. Plan to spend $300 to $1,000 US Dollars (USD) on two 8 x 10 cm (20.32 X 25.4 inches) photos.
You’ll probably need two headshots: one commercial, which is generally more “smiling,” and one more geared towards the type of work you’d like to do outside of commercials. The headshots should represent the type of characters you would like to play. A good way to determine how the second picture should be constructed is to ask your friends, colleagues, and acting coaches what kind of roles they see you in. Also consider your feelings about acting before looking for a talent agent.
When applying to work with an agent, you will also need to compose a resume to attach to your headshot. Even if you don’t have much experience, you can impress an agent with a good cover letter. Search actor resume examples online to research how to write an effective one.
References to a talent agent get you to the door, but you should also research the background of any agent you see. A reputable one should be approved by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) – this information can be found on their website. If the agent does not perform the job competently, complaints can be reported to SAG.
If you get an interview, prepare two monologues: one comic and one tragic. You’ll likely only deliver one, and it should be short but effective. Also prepare a list of questions for the talent agent. If the agent will be representing you, they will likely offer you representation right after an interview. Before you sign on the dotted line, however, make sure of a few things:
Thank the agent for the offer and explain that you still have a few appointments, whether it’s real or not.
Let the person know that they will get back to you within a certain time.
Take any contract home and read it carefully.
Don’t sign a contract that gives an agent more than 10% of your income from acting jobs.
If you plan to send an unreferenced resume to a talent agent, choose your timing carefully. The best time to look for an agent is early summer. The absolute worst time is from January to February as casting for all new TV shows begins then and most agents are not interested in recruiting new actors during this time.
Don’t just think of an agent; Also think about acting opportunities. Castings for different shows go up every day in most of the big cities. You can get a job without an agent, though it’s often more difficult. Finding a job can also make finding an agent easier, since you’ve proven yourself marketable. Choose any job opportunity, even in a small venue: it’s not impossible to get discovered in a local theater. Every time you work, you increase your visibility and make more contacts, which can only benefit you.
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