Every actor who wants to know how to get an acting agent forgets to consider one simple aspect. Why would an agent want to sign you?

The only reason you´ll get signed is if you can make the agent money, eventually. Period.

So what do agents want to see in actors who they would potentially sign? Three things:

• professionalism
• preparedness
• eagerness to work

WHO ARE TALENT AGENTS?

To learn how to get an acting agent, you need to first understand how they work.

In Los Angeles, you do not refer to them as “acting agents”. It´s simply an “agent”.

When a film goes into production, they need to cast actors. For that, they hire a casting director. CDs then work with talent agents who pitch them actors off their roster.

Basically, your acting services are being sold to the production by your agent. 

What a talent agent is not:

• agents are not managers, they won´t manage your whole career
• agents are not publicists, they won´t do any PR work for you
• agents are not lawyers, they will not give you any legal advice
• agents are not your parents, so keep your personal issues at home

HOW TO KNOW IF AN AGENT IS GOOD?

The better and more connected your agent is, the bigger your chances you have to be pitched for large film and TV productions in hollywood.

Most powerful acting agents who make huge deals happen have made their way to work at top talent agencies in Los Angeles, and often have celebrities as their clients.

HOW MUCH DO AGENTS GET PAID?

All of your paychecks go through your agent. He receives a check from the production, takes his cut out of that, and then sends the rest to you. That´s common practice. There is a standard fee that all acting agents receive off of your paycheck: 10 percent.

DO YOU EVEN NEED AN AGENT?

Absolutely. Once you get signed by a good talent agency with solid connections, you move onto the bigger leagues of this business. More doors will open up for you.

However, that doesn´t mean that you can sit back and avoid looking for work. 

Getting an acting agent is like receiving a special power in a video game. You still have to play the game, but now you have more tools at your disposal that helps you beat it.

11 WAYS TO PREPARE FOR GETTING AN AGENT

HAVE A PLAN OF ACTION

First, you´ll need to get yourself a good plan of action for the next 6 to 12 months. 

Everything you do during this period should have one target goal: improving your chances of getting signed by a talent agent.

The reason you want to actually prepare this is so you can stick to your plan and see where you´re going. Prioritize things and don´t jump ahead in most cases.

• find a survival job
• join an acting class
• prepare your acting kit
• submit yourself for small acting jobs
• learn about the industry
• start making connections
• get to know the city
• sign with a commercial agent
• do an internship at a talent agency
• be a reader for a casting office
• join SAG-AFTRA

FIND A SURVIVAL JOB

This part is absolutely crucial for a newbie in Hollywood. You cannot focus on your acting career if you constantly worry about paying rent or feeding yourself.

Becoming a working actor takes a long time, and you should plan your career long-term.

JOIN AN ACTING CLASS

Many actors move to Hollywood with little to no acting training. Trust me, agents hate that.

No matter how much raw talent you think you have, you need to stay in class. If not for improving your acting skills, then to show agents that you aren´t lazy and always working on the craft.

Unless you´re completely broke and cannot afford it, there should never be a time that you´re not signed up for an acting class. 

PREPARE YOUR ACTING KIT

The three essentials are: 

• your acting resume
• your acting headshot
• your demo reel

SUBMIT YOURSELF FOR SMALL ACTING JOBS

Once you have your acting kit ready, you should sign up for at least one of the paid casting websites. 

Try to get your hands on all those students films, web series, indies, music videos and other small projects which are easier to book for inexperienced actors

LEARN ABOUT THE INDUSTRY

In order to play the hollywood game effectively, you need to first learn it, in and out.

Start reading books about the acting business.

Do not forget to read online trade websites as well.

• deadline hollywood
• the hollywood reporter
• variety
• the wrap
• entertainment weekly
• daily actor
• /film
• backstage

Youtube channels:

• SAG Foundation
• SAG-Aftra
• The hollywood reporter
• film courage

START MAKING CONNECTIONS

Making connections in Los Angeles is like investing: the earlier you start, the more benefits you reap. So try to keep track of those names the minute you move to LA.

Networking gatherings:

• SAG-AFTRA foundation events
• Women in film
• JHRTS
• The actors´ network
• screenplay lab
• Film independent

Film festivals

• LA downtown film festival
• LA film festival
• Directors guild of america
• AFI Fest
• Sunset film festival
• LA short fest

GET TO KNOW THE CITY

Learning the best routes and what´s located where can save you a lot of valuable time. 

There´s no doubt you´re going to need a GPS. Whether you´re using Google Maps on your phone, a standalone GPS, etc.

SIGN WITH A COMMERCIAL AGENT

Commercial talent agents are different from theatrical agents. They will only get you out for commercial auditions, but signing with one is usually much easier. 

You may think you don´t want to do commercials, but trust me, it beats waiting on tables.

The way to sign with a commercial agent is to do regular submissions. You don´t have to “prepare” for a commercial agent since it´s not as important. 

All you need to have before approaching them is your “acting kit” ready.

DO AN INTERNSHIP AT A TALENT AGENCY

Interning for an acting agent a few hours a week will provide you with valuable insight.

BE A READER AT A CASTING OFFICE

Casting directors rarely read dialogue with actors during auditions. Usually, they hire a reader to read lines with you while they sit back and watch you act.

These gigs are much easier to get than talent agency internships, and can also be a great opportunity to both learn the process of casting and to make some connections.

JOIN SAG-AFTRA

Joining SAG-AFTRA union solidifies your status as an actor. It doesn´t guarantee you anything, including work, but it´s a status that talent agents and CDs pay attention to.

7 WAYS TO GET A MEETING WITH AN AGENT

MAILINGS THROUGH SNAIL MAIL

• pick the agency you want to submit to
• find their mailing address
• get one of their agent´s name
• write a short cover letter to that agent
• put your acting kit and letter into an envelope
• send it

ONLINE SUBMISSIONS

The process is exactly the same as it is for blind submissions through regular mail, only you do this online Simply go to the agency´s website and find their email address.

Some agencies also have “submission guidelines” so if they do, follow those to a letter.

Tip. Keep cover letters short. Almost nobody reads them because there´s no time for that. Stick to 2-3 sentences of the most important things, and do not mention anything that can be found on your resume

SHOWCASES

A showcase is basically a short performance put together specifically for talent agents.

Doing a showcase to get an agent is common in Los Angeles. They´re often organized by a large group of actors where everybody gets their chance to perform.

PERFORMANCES

ASSISTANTS

PAID SHOWCASES

PROFESSIONAL REFERRALS

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