2007-04-09 10:43:05 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
You mean without paying up-front money, I assume. If an agent asks for money up front, then you know that he's a scam. Real agents work for a percentage of your income. You have to pay that, unless you want to be your own agent, and if you knew enough people to be any good at being your own agent you wouldn't be asking us.
Finding a legitimate agent can be a challenge. A real agent will only take on so many clients, because he/she can't represent everybody. Being an agent takes time, talking to people and looking for roles you can do.
The best way is to have a friend recommend you to his or her agent, but that's just a circular problem, since you have to have the right friends first.
More likely, you can also be "discovered" while working summer stock or local theater or independent films. If the agent is impressed with your performance and believes it will be worth his or her time to represent you, they'll contact you. For that reason you should maintain a web site with your acting resume and contact information, and put the name of it in your program bio. A lot of actors take any work they can get for that reason.
Or you can go to the right parties and when somebody says, "That guy over there is an agent", you go bug him until he decides to represent you. I've never heard of it working but a lot of people do it anyway.
But most important: do not ever pay them up front. That is always a scam.
2007-04-09 11:08:09 · answer #1 · answered by jfengel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have a legitimate Talent Agent, he or she is entitled to a commission on the money you make when you book a job.
Legitimate Talent Agents are governed by the Department of Labor, in the state where you live. Contact the Department of Labor in your state and ask the percentage of your earnings is the Agent entitled. In NYC it's 10%.
If you ever have a problem with a Talent Agency, report the agency to the Department of Labor.
2007-04-09 18:11:16 · answer #2 · answered by newyorkgal71 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I should not ever cost you anything to GET an agent. If you are talented - they will sign you - and not charge you a thing. Actually - you should not ever play anybody anything upfront. If you do - you are being scammed.
But - once an agent finds you work - most of them will charge you anywhere from 10 to 20% of what you make on the job. That's how agents make their living. And - as an actor - it gives you time to master your craft, instead of running around trying to get yourself work.
2007-04-09 17:56:15 · answer #3 · answered by liddabet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could do all of the work yourself
Agents are not required and will always take a percentage of the income and royalties, or if you are not famous or talented they will take their money up front.
The only way around it is to handle the entire contact business by yourself.
2007-04-09 17:46:55 · answer #4 · answered by John B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd pay a penny for one; in my experience, that's just about what they're worth.
2007-04-09 19:26:47 · answer #5 · answered by shkspr 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can't, they subsist off of commisions if published or a flat fee for specific work. A lot like lawyers and just as well thought of.
2007-04-09 17:48:16 · answer #6 · answered by Sophist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋