Getting an Agent to Represent Your Talent
In order to further your career as an actor, you must consider a Talent Agent. Having talent agency representation will benefit you no matter what your chosen field is. They will ensure you get noticed by industry professionals and will book work for you while you focus on other aspects of your career. Agents are perhaps the most valuable tool you can have, but they can be difficult to come by. Typically, an agent will only consider representing you if you’re marketable and you have experience to prove yourself. There are some things to consider when looking for representation.
Perhaps the most important step in this process is ensuring you have current headshots. You will not get anywhere with old or outdated material, even if they’re look better than your current photographs. You’re selling yourself, not your photographer or make-up artist. If your headshots differ greatly from how you look, an agency will be less likely to take you on. A good timeframe to keep in mind would be a year to eighteen months before you update your photographs if you can afford them. You don’t need to get new headshots every month! The same can be said for your reel. Make sure it’s as up to date as it can be. You want as much material as you can to sell yourself.
Don’t ever assume that bright colors, exotic backdrops, fancy costumes, or crazy angles will make your headshot stand out. You’re selling yourself, not your photographer’s creativity, and anything that detracts from you will make you less memorable. Simplicity is your friend, and if your photographer wants to do some experimenting, find another one less inclined to “have fun.” You aren’t displaying these photographs. They’re not supposed to be “cool,” they’re supposed to be you. They’re your link to the industry, so keep them simple and focused on you. Find a photographer willing to work with you, and tell him to leave his fancy gel filters at home.
Unless you’re trying to break into every field in the industry, make sure you select an agent that specializes in your chosen field. If you want to act in films, seek out a film agent. The same goes for television, commercials, modeling, et cetera. Branching out might net you more work but it will limit your growth as an actor. Keeping your focus on one field will enable faster development and make you better at your craft. That, in turn, leads to more work.
Above all else, never forget this one thing: do not ever pay up front! Typically, agents will not ask for fees or an upfront payment to represent you. They make their money by taking a percentage of what you earn. The more work you do, the more they get paid. Paying up front can have disastrous results, especially if you don’t get any work at all. In this case, you would have paid for nothing. On that same token, be mindful of what you sign. Read the fine print and don’t ever sign immediately. Think about it, take their offer into consideration, and make an informed choice before you lay down your John Hancock.
Do not short yourself and be careful. You’re dealing with your career and you cannot afford to skimp or take unnecessary risks. An amazing resource is a site called TalentPostings.com, which allows you to create an online profile that gives you a ton of exposure to talent industry agents. Good luck!
If you already possess acting ability, try Casting Calls USA to find acting jobs for free. To gain exposure to industry pros, you MUST create a Talent Profile on TalentPostings.com.