How do you get an agent?

Question

I was told I need an agent in order to get someone to look at a script for a movie idea i have. How on earth do I get an agent?

Answer 1

It's a catch 22... yes you need an agent, but most agents won't take an unsold writer. Making a movie costs a lot of money so to put that money out there to back an unproven screenwriter is a big risk that many aren't willing to take.

First things first, you need to register your scripts with the Writer's Guild before you shop them around, or else someone may take your ideas. I believe it only costs $20 for non-guild members so it's worth it. Go to wga.org for more info on that.

On getting a literary agent or an agent who represents writers in the film industry, I'm not an expert but I found a page with lots of info. I'll put that link below.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Most of the time you mail in. If you live in NYC there is a group on yahoo called Actors First NY, who often holds meet and greets with agents and casting directors. It's treated as a class so you pay maybe $25 to get in but it's very informative and you can get a one on one with an agent who can take a look at your script and possibly direct you to the next step with it.

Answer 3

Hi there!

There are several different resources you could use to get in touch with agents. Rather than talking about how to get in touch, I would rather talk to you about what your strategy could be, but that's another story.

Consider the following when it comes to getting an agent:

What kind of acting are you interested in primarily? (Film, televison, industrials, commercials, voice-over, commercial print) You can find agents that specialize in many different areas, but big agencies will have different people within their agencies handle different areas.

Do you know your type? If you don't, find out. And then find out which agents cater to your type.

To find out who are the agents that cater to your type, get a copy of the Ross Reports, Show Business weekly, New York or LA Agencies or something similar in your area (that last one is a resource by Sue Porter Henderson and her website address is www.hendersonenterprises.com). I don’t know what city you are in, but even if these publications don’t have addresses of agents in your city, it will give you some ideas as to the kinds of publications and information that exists.
Sue’s agencies booklet which is updated quarterly shows what kind of actors agencies are looking for (what kind of talent in that particular period).

It goes without say that you need a headshot and résumé. But find out first how to put together your résumé. There is a standard industry format with three columns and usually the eyes go immediately to the third column, because that’s where the credibility lies. It’s not only about what you’ve done, but also about with whom you’ve done it! Also besides your acting experience, agents and casting directors will also look at your training, where you train, the frequency and consistency with which you train and with whom you train. There are many professional services that can help you if you need help.

Carefully select the agents you want to target, and do a mass mailing that is TARGETED to specific agents that cater to your type. Send out a headshot and résumé and don't forget a cover letter, which must be very brief and to the point and state why you are looking for that agency to represent you. Remember that there are thousands of actors who are sending mail to that agent so anything you can do and say that will make you stand out from the rest is a good thing. Just keep it within the realm of what’s “acceptable”. You might want to think of using envelopes with a big window, so that the agents’ offices that receive your packet see your picture even before they open it. From what I gather, still the majority of actors still don’t use those kinds of envelopes. It could provide you with a slight advantage. Maybe. Every little thing you can do differently than the rest could be of help.

You will need to find out how to write a good cover letter. Like I said, short, sweet and to the point. There are lots of books about it. One good one is by a guy named Brian O’Neil and it’s called Acting As A Business: Strategies For Success. I think it’s a must read for any new actor. He also has examples of résumés depending on what kind of credits you have. And he also tells you how to build the résumé, which is very important.

It’s a numbers game, so send out a lot of packages, but expect to get back a low number of responses: anywhere from 5 – 10%. It really depends on a lot of things; how good your headshot is, how good your cover letter is, whether you targeted the right agent, whether your agent is looking for your type in that moment, etc. If you don’t hear anything back, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re not interested. It could just mean that they’re not interested in that moment.

So once you have made initial contact, you will need to follow up. Timing is important as is the way you follow up. One way is to use post cards with your headshot on it. Use the postcards about once every three months to report what you’re doing and to keep in touch or even more often if you have something to report, like a show you’ve been in, movie and industrial, commercial or whatever. Don’t send them to say hi or have a good summer. Report what you are doing. Even report close calls, meaning call backs or on-holds even if you didn’t get the job. It means that you got close and agents and casting directors like to hear that as well.

Once you get that far, you should start getting some responses and some meetings. Like I said, it’s a numbers game though, but be focused and don't think that if you just send out mass mailings that you will be successful. Target your mailings and you will have greater success.

This is just part of your strategy though. There’s got to be more…

The comment about meet and greets is definitely valid. Some people don’t believe in paying, but I look at it this way. If you don’t have an agent and don’t know how to get one and if that has been your situation for awhile now, you have two choices. You can either continue doing what you’ve been doing and hope that something will change. Or you can pay to audition. At the beginning I did that and it worked out for me.

There are also schools like Actors Connection (http://www.actorsconnection.com) where you can go and meet casting directors, agents and personal managers. It will cost you a small fee to audition for them and sit through a most of the time valuable Q & A session, but it can be worth it. I have gotten agents and auditions through them. It is also a place to go and take classes with casting directors and agents, which gives you the chance to not only meet them, but also to work together with them for anywhere from a few hours to an entire day or more. That in itself can be very valuable. More on that on another page.

Hope that helps,

Tony
http://www.actingcareerstartup.com/start_acting_career.html

p.s. please go to my site and fill out the actor quiz. I would appreciate it. It will only take a few minutes. I need the information for a survey I'm conducting. Thanks!

Answer 4

there are several companies online. here is a good website to try
http://www.breakingin.net/choosingagent.htm