Acting issues?

Question

Whee do I get an agent?

Answer 1

Where do you live?

If you have a solid backgroun in training and some good roles on your resume and 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.) You can also buy (or subscribe online) a copy of Ross Reports. www.rossreports.com

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 until then you can check out actorsaccess.com. You can also see if your state has a film alliance. Sometimes they post audition information for projects filming locally. 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.

Please remember a legit agent will take 10% of your pay after they find you a job, nothing more and not before then. Also, most agents will not give you the time of day without the training and roles on your resume so be well prepared before you do a mailing.

Good luck

Answer 2

Um, I completely disagree with the above poster. Agents do not "scout" and if you wait around to be "discovered" well...you'll be waiting a long time.

The question of when to get an agent is, if you move to LA, ideally, before you even get there. In order to be a working actor in LA, you need an agent. They are the ones who have access to the professional paying jobs, or else you will be relegated to student films and shorts for little/no pay. You might be able to get the odd indie, but I would bet, if it's in LA, they'll be looking for names.

If you live outside of NY and LA (and really, mainly LA), you don't need an agent and most places don't actually have them, just casting agencies. The general answer though, is you get one where you are competitive enough in order to be able to be profitable to an agency so they will actually give you the time of day and not toss your headshot in the bin along with all the other wanna be hopefuls with dreams of fame and fortune who have no real idea of what the industry is about.

Build your resume. Take classes. Do theatre and short films in your hometown. You can begin looking at agencies in your hometown since smaller markets operate on a freelance basis, thus you can since with multiple places and the majority of them will be actual casting agencies since a small market doesn't facilitate the need of a "middle man" the way a market like LA does.

Go to the library or bookstore and pick up a copy of the book "Ask an Agent: Everything and Actor Needs to Know about Agents" by Margaret Emory.

I bought a copy of this and have found is immensely valuable in understanding what agent's are looking for when they sign actors.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Getting an agent won't solve most of your acting issues ;-).

Honestly, getting an agent is only part of the war. Most people expect to get an agent, then sit back an relax waiting for their agent to call telling them they have an audition for the next blockbuster. WRONG. Actually, before you cvan even get a suitable agent that does get the breakdowns for the worthwhile roles, you need to be something impressive. Learn to act and build up some kind of resume. Plays, small budget or non-paying films (local).... Then get a professional headshot, then see about getting an agent.

Read the books Act Now! and Acting for the Camera. Fantastic books. Read a lot, educate yourself, talk to a lot of people, take some classes, know what you're doing before you try and charge into the show biz arena.

Good luck!!!

Answer 4

This all depends on where you are and what kind of acting you're interested in doing. Having an agent sounds a lot more impressive than it actually is. If you're in NYC trying to get on Broadway, NO, just go to as many auditions as you can. If you're in Hollywood trying to break in to movies, NO, same as NYC. But if you have some expertise and a bit of a resume and are looking at suppporting or leading roles in both industries, then YES, an agent will get you auditions that you might not get otherwise. If you are looking to do commercial work, then YES, it's the only way to find out who is auditioning and where

Answer 5

You got some excellent answers. That one guy who said "go where the agents hang out" obviously knows nothing. Does he think there is an agent bar somewhere? Here's my input. Don't concern yourself with getting an agent. If you were ready to get one you'd know how to do it. Every day people ask this question. Good actors who are marketable get agents. If you're not that you shouldn't be trying. Get good and get marketable first. Earn your agent.

Answer 6

Hi,

assuming that you have already started training, then have a look at this link on my site that has to do with how to get an agent: http://www.actingcareerstartup.com/how_to_get_an_agent.html .

If you are new as an actor and want to know some other things about getting started, you can download a free ebooklet that I created called: What It Takes To Become An Actor. While you are at the link above-mentioned, just sign in and you can then access the pdf file for free.

Hope that helps!

Tony
ceo
http://www.actingcareerstartup.com/acs-blog.html

Answer 7

Looking for Acting agent, I would recommend

http://www.hollywoodnorth.com

Answer 8

Usually actors do not go to agents....agents come to you. If you find an agent on your own, chances are that such agent is as new to being an agent as you are to acting....neither one of you will do each other justice or help one another. What you need to do is go to places where agents hang out and perhaps you will be "discovered." Audition for commercials, plays, stand up comedy bids, or record yourself acting and send demos to the wide market of companies that deal with enthusiastic actors. If you are good at what you do, an agent will certainly contact you. Good luck and don't forget who gave you this advice when you make it HUGE!! :) see you on t.v

Answer 9

Go to your library or bookstore and buy the Ross Reports for about ten dollars. It lists legit agencies that you can mail your resume to.

Answer 10

HEY CHECK THIS WEBSITE OUT IT REALLY HELPS IT HELP ME FIND MY AGENCY http://www.futurecasting2000.com/agency.htm

AND HERE ANOTHER IF YOU WANNA FIND AUDITIONS
http://www.starsearchcasting.com/casting_notices/list.php?cat=1