My daughter would like to sign on with an acting agent? how do i find a ligitament one?

Question

we live near LA but want to stay away from such scamer as John Robert Powers ,can any one help?

Answer 1

Definitely stay away from companies that give you the hard sell and want cash from you up front! Never pay an agent up front! They get paid when you do!

If you want to find a legitimate agent to represent you for commercials, TV & film go to Sag.org. Use the dropdown menu on the right labeled 'resources' and choose 'agent information'. On the next screen, on the left choose 'Find a SAG franchised agent' and follow the directions. You can look up agents all over the US, but there are higher concentrations where the work is (Los Angeles, NY, IL, FL, GA etc.)

Then you can send them your headshot, resume, and a cover letter stating that you are seeking representation and wait to see if they call you in for an interview.

Once you have an agent, they will get you the auditions, but your daughter should still be active in whatever she can acting wise. You can check out actorsaccess.com for casting breakdowns. You do have to pay to submit for auditions, but you can just look for free. You can also see the CD's name and look him/her up on your own if it's not an electronic submission only deal :-) For theatre, you can go to backstage.com or http://www.actorsequity.org/castingcall/... If you find the audition on the Equity site, you still may be able to go, as long as their not taking appointments from equity actor's only :-) On backstage.com you have to pay to get all of the info, but the initial search is free and you may be able to see enough info to find out the rest on your own without paying (web search for the theatre's site) OR you can go to your local bookstore or newsstand and look at their print publication (new every Thursday) for free.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Firstly, I am from Australia so I cannot give you EXACT companies as such. However I do offer this advice.

Contact the local Actors Union and make some enquiries there. They may have a list of 'preferred' agents.

Start contacting any local theatre or film/TV schools/groups and make enquiries there also.

By then you should have a solid list. Start calling them. Any that say the require payment of an upfront fee immediately handle with care. Good agencies do not need to charge you to join. They will be able to take a commission instead.

They may require you the have a photo session. Ask if you can provide your own. They may request that you attend a workshop. Ask if it is compulsory. These should not exclude an agent from your list but do consider it a black mark against them.

Ask for casting successes they have had - Actors or shows. Something tangible and verifiable.
Ask about how much commission they charge, what type of work they offer, what courses they provide or recommend.

Then search for them on the Internet for comments, reviews, feedback, etc. See what you can find. An agency that has poorly treated its clients should be all over the net. Those that are either low profile, very new or very good you will hear less about.

Once you have done all this research, you should be in a good position to pick a preferred agent and sign up.

Answer 3

Your daughter should network with other actors to find out the Los Angeles procedure for contacting Talent Agents.
(The contact method is NOT the same in every USA city).
Once your daughter gets that information, she can follow-up, according to the information she was given. Talent Agents have specific ways they like to communicate with actors.
If they say "no phone/no photo," it means do not mail photos and do NOT call.

If she is not in an acting class she should join one, again, she should ask her actor friends about classes.
Your daughter should also consider taking workshops at: The

Actors Connection in Los Angeles:
http://www.actorsconnection.com/hosting.html

Talent Agents are entitled to a 10% commission from the money an actor makes from his or her acting work.
The agent will take that money "off the top," and give her the remainder. Additionally, she should read Backstage.com (a newspaper for actors), it is also sold at most large newstands in Los Angeles.

If the Agent is listed on SAG.org (The Screen Actors Guild), he/she is a legitimate Talent Agent, but cannot represent her if she is not in SAG.

Often the Talent Agents prefer that the actor contact them when he/she is performing in a local stage production.
To find out if a Talent Agent has complaints, contact the The Department of State for your state.

The Department of State, for any state, in the USA can tell you which Talent Agencies have complaints.

If your daughter needs headshots, again, she must talk with her actor friends.

Answer 4

You can call SAG (the Screen Actor's Guild) to find out if any of the agents you are considering have had complaints about them.
Also, Do you know any other working actors...who are their agents?
I don't know your daughter's age, but there are agencies that specialize in kids...you may want to start there.
Don't compromise...an agent works for you!

Answer 5

Look at the Screen Actors Guild website and find a list of legitimate agents in your area. You will be safe that way.

Answer 6

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