What do talent agents look for when they are seeing actors?

Question

What do the talent agents look for when you schedule an appointment to meet with the agent? Like, how can you win them over ?

Answer 1

It's such a combination of things. For one it's a matter of do they already have someone that's your type? Other things they consider... do they like your personality because Casting Directors will also take that into consideration. After all, they're hiring someone to work on a project that could last anywhere from one long day to several weeks or many years. Your talent obviously. Your training & resume. Most of all, the total package. If you walk in looking like they could send you to an audition and you'd book a role right then and there with your look, talent, and personality then you'll likely be offered a contract. Be ready to roll!

Also be open to suggestions. You may not see what others see about you. You might think you're one type, but others may see soemthing else. Be open to hearing that.

Tell them that you'll continue to work on your craft. That you plan to go to classes and do theatre, anything to keep performing and expanding. The more you learn the better performer you'll be. They'll apreciate that. Also, always let them know the best way to get a hold of you. You need to be accessible.

Please don't forget to make sure they are legitimate agents. Reputable agents take 10% of your pay AFTER you get a job through them, nothing before. You can search on Sag.org for free or get more info if you pay through RossReports.com. You can also buy sheets of agent labels (useful if you live in LA) for your mailings.

good luck!

Answer 2

I know its harsh, but Jemma is right. You can't just jump into acting. A website will NOT help you attract any legit agents. The only time when an agent will look for a client is at a talent showcase or during a theater performance. Other than that, it is expected that you go to the agent. Also, the chances of getting one with an empty resume is very slim. Almost impossible. Think of it in the way of would you buy something if you don't know what you're getting? An agent can't just look at someone and say, they have talent, I'm going to represent them. The agency wouldn't allow it. They want to see physical proof on a resume that shows that you mean business. Just saying it isn't enough. Agents make money by booking you jobs, so they want someone who will be cast so that they know that they aren't wasting their time. Agents do not tend to take chances on people that just have potential. Potential and skill are very different things, so if you have the potential, you need to work on your skills. You should go out there and start auditioning for theater, that is where all actors have to get their start, even if they don't want to do theater. I saw your you tube page, but you need more than that. You should also do more community theater, as they tend to have overall better productions and a larger audience. An agent will not take The Little Mermaid of A Bug's Life as real theater work, especially since it was just a junior high production. They want to see that you are going out of your comfort zone to find plays and musicals to be in. If you really want to act, you cannot wait around to be discovered, because there will be someone elso out there who is just as good but is getting theater credits, which will give them the upper hand. While you wait, look for new opportunities. You also need a lot of classes, such as a repetoire class and singing lessons. Work on your repetoire as much as possible in case a real agent approaches you, because they will want to see you do some monologues and you won't have too much time to prepare them. Learn 2 dramatic, 2 comedic and 2 Shakespearean (1 dramatic 1 comedic) monologues. Make character choices for each and decide how that character would move, respond in different situations, and what their goal in the monologue is and how much they want to achieve their goal. Those questions should be asked for each character to help you develop that character, Go out and look for agents and good luck!

Answer 3

They are in business to make money. They look for talented people with a marketable look. You can't do much to win them over. If they think they could make money with you, you get a contract. If they don't, you don't. Cut and dried.

Answer 4

Depends on the current market...they wanted me when they did because they had a commercial coming up looking for older men on a golf course. I just couldn't afford publicity shots

Answer 5

Many of them look at what is on your resume, where you graduated University, names of your acting teachers/coaches.

Plays in which you appeared.
If you perfomed in Regional Theater, or only your local community theater.

It depends on the agent, they're individuals and each agent will look at something different.