How to get an talent agency?

Question

I have an nine-year-old-daughter who always asks me to get her into big movies. First, we must have an agency. I think we should probably apply to William Morris or Creative Artists Agency. My daughter has already appeared in several short films. What should I do next?

Answer 1

It's great that she has a good resume and most likely some decent reel material, but that's not enough for WMA or CAA. She'd need to know someone major or have already gotten a role in a box office hit to score a meeting with them. You'll want to start smaller anyway. Those agents won't give her the attention you'll want her to have at this point in her career. I assume she's in classes? Have you been networking with other parents, her teachers and the same for when she's worked on films? You should have some referrals for some agencies by now with the people you know. Those will be your best "in" especially if they are willing to walk your daughter's 8x10 and res in to their agent and ask them to give it to the children's theatrical and or commercial department (if both, give them 2 envelopes labeled appropriately). Make sure your letter mentions your personal connection to the agency.

Otherwise you can do cold mailings. SAG.org has a free list of franchised agents which is a great place to start, but Ross Reports has more info. It costs to subscribe but it will tell you which agencies are accepting submissions and sometimes for what type (asian girls ages 8-12, caucasian boys ages 5-7, etc.) It helps you not to waste your time and money sending to an agent who will toss your daughter's photo straight into the trash. Don't forget to mention if your daughtr happens to be performing in anything soon like a production of The Secret Garden, Sunday In The Park With George, anything... Invite them to contact you for tickets. Your production will likely do industry copms if you ask them. If not, pony up the cash for them to see her. You may not want to freak her our by telling her though. Just let her do her thing :-)

Once you've sent off several photos, resumes and cover letters you wait 6-8 weeks to see if you get any bites. Hopefully you get some calls but if not you wait the full 8 weeks and send update postcards only if she's done something new by then. If not, wait until you have something new to add. New credits and headshots and maybe a new show to invite them to. That said, each agency may have their own policy about this. Make sure you check their website if they have one so that you do not get blacklisted from them for not following their policy!

Also, check out any agents who have their clients on their websites. You may see that they have a client or two that looks very much like your daughter. In that case, look at other agents because the ones you've seen already have her type filled. For instance, if your daughter looks like Dakota Fanning and would breakdown for the same roles, do not send her pic to The Osbrink Agency. They probably have a couple of girls like her, but who do you think gets first pick? Dakota os obviously older than your daughter, but you get what I mean?

Anyway, that's the way things are basically done. Through referrals and mailings.

good luck!
Marianne