Acting Agents:
How to get an Acting Agent
that gets you Work

Good acting agents jumpstart actors' careers. Bad ones can be a stumbling block to success.

Here you’ll find information on how to submit and get noticed by talent agents, how to prepare for interviews with acting agencies and how to pick the right actor agent for you.

Note: You can also follow all the steps below when looking for a manager. To find out more about the differences between acting managers and agents, click here.

About Agents: Talent agents help actors get work by sending them on auditions and negotiating contracts once the actor gets the job. Whether you’re fresh out of acting school or a more experienced actor looking for representation, the process is the same:

1. Submit your headshot and resume or get noticed by acting agents.
2. Interview with acting agencies.
3. Pick the right actor agent for you and sign a contract.
4. Build a good working relationship with your acting agent.

1) Submit or get noticed by acting agents

Here’s a list of things you can do when looking for an acting agent:

• Participate in scene nights. Also known as an industry showcase, this is when a group of actors appear in a series of scenes in front of invited professionals such as casting directors, directors, producers and agents. Make sure you choose a scene that displays your type and strengths as an actor. Scene nights are a great way to start out your acting career, so try to choose an acting school that includes a good industry showcase for graduating students. You can also enroll in a class that culminates in a scene night or audition for a showcase production organized by fellow actors.
• Invite acting agents to see you perform. You don’t need an agent to start auditioning. You can attend open calls, use online casting services and trade papers like Backstage to find auditions. Most actors get their first few acting jobs on their own without the help of an agent. You can also produce your own show with a couple of other actors. Once you have a strong role in a good production, mail a flyer or postcard to acting agents inviting them to come see your work (make sure to mention complimentary tickets will be waiting for them and their guests at the box office). Some agents actually prefer to go see a full production rather then scene nights. Make sure you also invite agents to screenings of films you were in.

• Do a mailing. Mailing submissions to acting agents is expensive and can be disappointing but sometimes works. If you’re starting out, you should definitely do at least one mass mailing to bank on beginner’s luck. After that, you can do targeted mailings to acting agencies who are looking for your type. Get a copy of the Ross Report or another publication that has modeling and acting agents’ listings and mail out your headshot and resume with a good cover letter. Later, follow-up with actor postcards (a 4x6 postcard with your actor photo) to give those acting agents updates.

• Network: Network when you study. Acting teachers and coaches can help you find an acting agent. Fellow actors can introduce you to their agent. Also network when you get an acting job. Producers and directors can get you a referral with an actor agency. A recommendation from a casting director will often get you a meeting with an agent. Of course, only ask from those who are familiar with your work and think highly of you as an actor.

• Take agent workshops. A lot of acting agents give master classes, workshops and lectures. This is an opportunity for them to see your work and for you to get feedback. Since these classes are often expensive, do your research beforehand and try to concentrate on acting agents who are looking for your type.
• Intern. Even if it’s just a day a week, interning at an actor agency or talent manager’s office is a fantastic way to build relationships and learn about the business of acting. Ask your acting school if they can help you find an internship or browse through entertainment job listings.

2) The interview with acting agencies

Now it’s time to prepare for the interview.

Here are a few things to help you get ready:

• When you schedule the interview, ask who you will be meeting with and if you will have to do a monologue or cold reading (prepare 2 contrasting monologues just in case).
• Make sure you bring at least 3 pictures and resumes but don’t bring tons of pictures and resumes either. Even if you decide to sign with the agent right there, dropping off extra pictures and resumes later will be another opportunity to connect and keep yourself fresh in the talent agent’s mind.
• If you have one, bring a reel. An agent is unlikely to ask for a monologue or cold reading if you have a reel. Make sure you also bring a copy of any positive reviews you got in newspapers and magazines.
• Prepare your monologues, keeping in mind you will be performing in a busy talent agent’s office, with phones ringing and constant interruptions. If you can, try to simulate these circumstances while you rehearse.
• Do your research. Find out the background of the acting agents you will be meeting. Search for bios or interviews they gave in trade papers. Look for common interests or hobbies that could be a great conversation starter. Also research the agency’s client list ahead of time. This will enable you to ask informed questions at the interview.

• Prepare by doing mock interviews with friends or in acting class. Be ready to answer any question about your resume. Read on for a list of questions you could be asked and things you may want to ask yourself.
• Decide what you’re going to wear. Help the agent’s imagination along by picking clothes close to your type and how you think you should market yourself as an actor, but don’t overdo it. What is more important is to be comfortable, so avoid wearing a suit or anything that will make you feel awkward.

OK, the day of your interview has come. You leave early and plan to arrive at the talent agent’s office 10 minutes before your appointment.



Are you nervous?

Meeting with an agent can be nerve-racking, but REMEMBER this is a business meeting and you can use your training as an actor to make the most of it.

Why not approach this like you would an acting role?

Use your time in the waiting room to do a relaxation exercise, then focus on your objective. You got a call so the talent agency is potentially interested in representing you and wants you to do well. Like any other kind of relationship, the agent will be more interested if you have a positive attitude and bring something to the table, so try to be proactive in your thinking. Instead of thinking “I need this agent to sign me”, make your objective something like “I want to give this agent a sense of who I am and what I have to offer as an actor” or “I want to see if this agent and I are right for each other.”

During the interview, the agent will most likely look at your resume and ask questions about some of your credits or the acting school you went to. They may also ask you to perform an unusual special skill you have listed.

Knowing what to expect will help you stay relaxed and give a successful interview. Here are a few other questions you should be ready to answer:

• What do you think your type is? What roles do you see yourself playing?
• Who represents you or represented you? This includes former agents and managers you had. That being said, an agent shouldn’t ask you which other agents you are meeting with.
• Where do you see your career going? This is the time to discuss your short-term and long-term goals. Make sure you mention what you are doing to achieve these goals to show the agent you are proactive about your career.
• What do you expect from your agent? An agent who asks this question is looking for a specific answer to see if you would work well together. Be straightforward about your expectations but be realistic. A represented actor should continue to actively look for work.
• Who have you worked with and who do you know? Mention existing relationships you have with casting directors, producers and directors in town. If you’ve been auditioning and working a lot, you may want to bring a list to the interview. If you’re starting your acting career, you can mention industry professionals you took workshops or classes with or those who came to see you in a showcase.

Here are a few questions YOU may want to ask:

• How large is the agency’s client list? How many actors does this particular agent represent? Do they also represent writers and directors?
• Does the agent represent any actor that is close to you in age range and type?
• If there are several agents, ask how they work together and share clients.
• Find out how the agent likes to work with actors. Will they give you advice on new headshots and resume? Do they try to get feedback from casting directors? Do they encourage calls from their clients? Do they like you to contact them if you hear about a role that may be right for you?
• What roles does the agent see you in? Where does he or she see your career going?

3) Sign with the right actor agent

Depending on where you’re at in your career and what you’re looking for in an agent, here are a few things to consider when picking an agent to sign with:

• A small client list will allow you to get more personalized attention while a larger acting agency can have the clout or packaging power of getting you bigger auditions as you progress in your career.
• Sharing a common vision on the type of roles you’re right for and which direction your career should take is important. If you’re trying to make a change of direction in your career, you need to make sure the agent you choose will support you in your decision, even if it means accepting smaller and lower-paying roles for a while.
• Your agent doesn’t need to be your best friend, but a good rapport helps. Ask yourself if this is someone you would like on your team and enjoy talking to on the phone daily.
• If you’re starting an acting career, don’t feel like you have to sign with the perfect acting agency right away. An actor contract is usually for one year, renewable. Just make sure the agency is legit. For example, acting agencies should not require that you take a particular class or get headshots with a particular photographer in order to represent you. Also make sure you read your contract carefully before signing. There should be a clause to allow you to get out of the contract if the agent doesn’t get you an audition within a certain timeframe (usually 3 months).

4) Build a good long-lasting relationship with your actor agency

… Now you got to give your new agent all the tools they need to submit you. Get your new agency’s contact information on your resume and give your agent as many pictures and resumes as they want. If you have one, also drop off a few copies of your reel.

Now what?

1. Your talent agent will submit you on auditions and also possibly set up “meet and greets” with casting directors to introduce you as a new up-and-coming actor.
2. When you get an audition, they will call you with all the specifics, possibly give you some background on the auditioners and advice on what to wear or how to prepare for the role. They will also call you if you have a callback or if they receive feedback from the casting director.
3. Once you book a role, the agent will negotiate your contract and give you all the details of the job.
4. Your acting agency will receive your earnings and send them to you, minus a 10% commission.

Sounds simple?

Working with your agent will be easier if you follow these tips on how to make the most of your relationship:

• Communicate. Make sure your update your agent on any changes to your appearance, availability and contact information. Drop off new resumes each time you get a role and call periodically to make sure your agent still has enough acting pictures, resumes and reels. Invite your agent to see you each time you perform. If you’re not getting as many auditions as you would like, talk to your agent. Discuss your headshots and resume and classes he or she thinks you could benefit from. Ask your agent if they can occasionally get feedback from casting directors on your auditions. Make sure your agent understands your career goals and which roles you do and do not want to take.
• Act professionally. Being on time and prepared for auditions and acting jobs helps you be well-respected in the industry and in turn reflects upon your actor agent.
• Be proactive. Don’t rely on your agent to get you all the work. See your relationship with your actor agency as a partnership. Continue to actively search for auditions, attend open calls, take workshops and make contacts. Call your agent whenever you hear of a role you think is right for you.
• Keep notes. Keep track of every acting job you do and payment you receive. Not only will this be tremendously helpful come tax season, but it will avoid any conflict down the road with your talent agency’s payroll department. There should be a clause in your contract saying the agency has to forward your earnings within a certain amount of days of receiving payment. Read your contract carefully and make sure your agent pays you on time for acting jobs.

Good acting agents can really help careers take off. I hope all the information above helps you find an acting agent who shows you the road to success!

Do you need an acting manager? Click here to find out what managers do and how they differ from acting agents.

Looking for a child acting agent? Discover our kids talent agencies 101 page.

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