Best agentcies in Los Angeles?

Question

Hi I want to start an acting/modeling or acting/singing career. Were is the best agency in Los Angeles? I have the money to pay for it and I've taken lessons for all three for a couple of years. Thanks bye.

Answer 1

There isn't really such a thing as a "best agency". It depends on your age, experience, attitude, type, and many other factors.


Talent agents for actors come in two main types theatrical (Television and Film) and commercial ( for commercials). There are also dance, print, and voice-over agents who specialize in these fields, and signing with one of these agents can be a great way for actors with these other skills to cross over into one of the other areas. Being with the same agency for everything is called being "signed across the board," but many actors prefer to have separate agents for different types of work, become some agencies might be strong commercially, but not as strong theatrically, or vice versa. Agents get information about auditions for roles, either directly from casting directors and producers calling them asking for client submissions, or from a fax/email service called "the breakdowns," a daily list of roles being cast, sent only to agents and managers, although there is a black market for this information within the acting community and many actors without representation self-submit for available roles, which some casting people don't mind, others hate, and the owner of Breakdown Services abhors. Remember actors--your agents work for you, but they only get 10% of what you make, so that means you need to do 90% of the work--especially when you are getting started. That means always be professional, know your craft, don't shy away from networking and letting CD, producers and directors know about your accomplishments & upcoming appearances by sending out postcards, know your type and how you fit into the current market, and above all, make sure you and your agent are on the same page about what kinds of parts you will be submitted for. And NEVER pay an agent or manager up front to represent you. They only make money when they make you money.






The Plan of Attack

Most agents refuse any off-the-street drop-ins. In other words, they'll see new talent by appointment only. Don't bother phoning in for one (just yet), because without a face, you're just another voice: and unless that voice is absolutely incredible (and the agent handles a lot of voice-over work), it simply won't get you in.

Instead, mail off your photo and resume, along with a very special cover letter. What makes that letter so special? Simple... prove that you understand how valuable their time is:

So many people try cramming in their whole "hopes and dreams autobiography" into the cover letter, it resembles a chapter from a novel. The agent hasn't the time, nor the interest, to be a publisher. Any submission that takes more than 15 seconds to scan through and read will likely be filed in the trash.

Here's a sample of how to keep it short:


WANNABE TALENT
1234 Hopeful Avenue
Dreamland, BC

Attn: Ms. A. Gent


Please accept my photos and resume for possible consideration of future representation. I will contact your offices next week to verify your receipt of this package.

Thank you very much for your time,


Johnny Smartguy



That's it... nothing else... just plain and simple. The agent even has 10 seconds left to take a quick glance at your photo(s) and stats now.

The big trick comes the following week (give it a full week before calling in, and try to make the call on a Tuesday or Wednesday when they may be less frantic in the office). Just call up and say:

"Hi, my name's [Johnny Smartguy] and I'm just calling to confirm you received my photo and resume."

Chances are you'll get a response of "the agents will be looking at it", or "there are no openings right now, try back in a few months", or even the infamous "the agents will call you back if they're interested." Whatever the response, simply answer:

"No problem, I don't want to take up your time. I just promised I would make sure the package got there okay. I don't want to keep you. Thank you very much for your time [pause]"...

They'll either be impressed (and relieved) at the short conversation, or they'll be caught so off-guard that they'll try to explain further. If they haven't said goodbye, then just repeat a variation of your previous words [always offering them the opportunity to end the conversation and reinforcing that you know their time is valuable]. They're so used to the "can I come in" pleading that you've really thrown them for a loop by not asking them for something.


Call the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been made against the agency.


Tips & Warnings

* Agents making their living by earning a percentage of each job they book for a model. Do not pay any up-front fees to an agent.

* If you're not happy with the number of auditions or bookings you are getting, set up an appointment with your agent and discuss what you can do to generate more jobs.

* If the agent lies to you, makes outrageous promises or asks for up-front money (to cover phone calls or mailing expenses on your behalf), keep looking. Legitimate agents do not ask for expense money.







Go to the website link below. It is the Screen Actors Guild Agent list for both SAG franchised and non-franchised agencies in all states:




http://www.sag.org/sagWebApp/application?origin=page1.jsp&event=bea.portal.framework.internal.refresh&pageid=AgentInformation

Answer 2

First and foremost, you should NEVER pay an agent anything upfront. If they ask you to, they are scamming you. There is no two ways about that. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying to you. An acting agent gets 10% of what you make. That is the standard practice.

Secondly, use your money to stay in classes. You will then start to meet the right people. Networking is the best way to advance your career. You will meet the right people if you are putting yourself in the right places. The best agents only take people by referral. So knowing people that will recommend you is the best way to get a good agent.

You can check the Screen Actors Guild website for a list of legit agents. http://www.sag.org. Also, there are periodicals that you can buy at Sam French and other theater bookstores that list all the current agencies, who they represent and a little bit of information about how good they are, how reputable they are and what level of people they represent.

Getting into local showcases and plays is also a good way to get agents and casting directors to come out and see you. They won't always show up, but knowing that you are getting work as an actor will help them realize your potential.

Hope it helps.

Answer 3

You don't start by getting an agent. If your classes had been any good, they would have told you how to get an agent. But so many classes are gyps. Why didn't you ask your teachers this question? A couple of years in class. Hmm. Did you act in any plays during this time? A couple of years is not enough time to develop your skills. And only acting will do that, so go get in a play somewhere, and repeat that over and over again.

Answer 4

Enter "talent agencies Los Angeles" into your search engine, Yahoo or Google, you'll get a list of over 900 talent agencies in the city.