Agency Help!
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Friend to the stars
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Agency Help!
My brother is 16 and is studying Performing Arts at College. He has loads of professional theatre and tv experience pre 16. I know he is now at a tricky age performingwise, but what is the best course of action? I suggested he gets a agent, but we don't really know where to start. We live in the South West, Should he get a London agent, or an agent in say Bristol.I know he would probably have to audition for an agency and have professional photos but what else? Help?
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francescasmum
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Re: Agency Help!
I don't think it really matters where your agent is based, unless they only deal with local castings. Most casting are based in the Big Cities.
Re: Agency Help!
Hi,
Im also based in the south west but have an agent in London so it shouldnt matter, you just need to be prepared to travel to London at the drop of a hat for castings etc. Id start by getting a Cv up together along with a good covering letter aswell as a clear photo. It doesnt have to be professional at his age and most agency will want to get headshots done once he has actually joined with them. Most agencys want this sent to them in the post but some will recieve it by email, make sure you check first. It might be worth getting a copy of contacts as they have a list of agencies in there or just do some research on the internet. Getting an agent isnt the be all and end all though, especially as he has already got lots of experience of his own accord.
Good luck!
Im also based in the south west but have an agent in London so it shouldnt matter, you just need to be prepared to travel to London at the drop of a hat for castings etc. Id start by getting a Cv up together along with a good covering letter aswell as a clear photo. It doesnt have to be professional at his age and most agency will want to get headshots done once he has actually joined with them. Most agencys want this sent to them in the post but some will recieve it by email, make sure you check first. It might be worth getting a copy of contacts as they have a list of agencies in there or just do some research on the internet. Getting an agent isnt the be all and end all though, especially as he has already got lots of experience of his own accord.
Good luck!
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Friend to the stars
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- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 9:08 pm
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Re: Agency Help!
thanks for the replies! The experience he has had so far has been mostly through his drama group as they had links with a lot of people who have come to them for castings but it is mostly for younger children and he is too old and tall for the parts now. That's why we thought we would try an agent. What about payment, do agencies charge an upfront fee or do they just take a percentage or fee out of the jobs they get you?
Re: Agency Help!
Don't join any agency that asks you for an upfront fee!
Here's some thoughts on agencies that I wrote as a possible article for this site - hope some of it might be useful
Spotlight publish a book called “Contacts” each year. It’s available on-line from the Spotlight website, stocked by larger bookshops and cheap second-hand copies from previous years are often available from Amazon market place.
Contacts lists pretty well every agent in the country. Just because an agent is in Contacts does not mean that is well-established, reputable or well-run (though most will be).
You could try ringing round a few agents and ask about their submission policy. Most will say that you should write or email them with a CV and headshot. A good actor’s agent will definitely want to meet you before taking you on and will want to see what you can do. If the agent is prepared to take you on without meeting you, be cautious, it probably won’t be worth being represented by them.
People often ask for recommendations for agencies. This is always fraught with difficulties because what suits one actor/model/performer won’t suit another.
There are many agencies (especially modelling agencies or those specialising in commercials) that take on hundreds and hundreds of clients. Some of them charge large sums of money as a “registration fee” or “book fee” or “website fee”. It is worth noting that up front fees are illegal and that any charge made for a book fee must be reasonable (i.e. should accurately reflect the cost of producing the publication) and you should be able to see the publication. Actors’ agencies should not charge a book fee, though Extras agencies may do so. If you are prepared to pay a fee (and I don’t think anyone should pay a fee to be in an actor’s agency) ask them whether they will take the fee out of your earnings. Never be afraid to challenge a request for money. It is much easier for an agent to make money from book fees from eager performers than it is for them to make money on commission from jobs, so less-than-scrupulous agents may happily take your money knowing full well that you are very unlikely to get any work through them.
If an agent you approach is defensive or full of bluster about up front charges, ask yourself whether you want to be represented by them. Also, make sure you know how many people they represent: being one of hundreds is not likely to go in your favour. The best agents know every client on their books.
As many actors know, “choosing an agent” is probably not how it usually works. In theory, an actor employs an agent; in practice the agent accepts or rejects an actor. Agents are inundated with submissions from actors and the best agents are very choosy indeed. When you are approaching agents, try to put yourselves in the agent’s position. An agent will represent an actor if he/she believes that the actor has what it takes to make money for the agent in the short or long term. As already stated, this should be from commission earned, not from up front fees.
So, why should the agent take you on? They won’t do it out of altruism or to be nice to you or because they believe that “everyone should be given a chance” (steer clear of agents that state something like this, they will find it very difficult to run a successful agency if they really do operate with that mindset!). They will take you on because their experience suggests that you are the sort of performer who may get work. This might be because of your looks, or your skills or more likely a combination of the two. An agent will look at your photograph and your CV and will also scan a covering letter.
Young actors: if an agent thinks you have a great look, they may not worry much about a lack of experience, because they will see the potential for you to be of interest to casting directors – especially for lucrative commercials. If they see that you have masses of experience with recognised industry names, they’ll probably wonder why you don’t have an agent, but will probably be interested in seeing you because you have proved that you are employable. If you look quite interesting and have some experience and perhaps have unusual or interesting skills, they might be interested in meeting you.
Adult actors: competition is fierce, getting a decent agent is not easy. If an agent will take you on without meeting you and/or without ever having seen you perform – the agent is not worth bothering with… Honestly, you will do much better looking for work on your own and building up a CV that will be of interest to a good agent who will take a genuine interest in your career.
Hard though it is, if you are interested in trying to get professional work, you need to look at yourself as a commodity. The best agents will be interested in you, your ambitions and your career, but they are running a business, so don’t expect them to take you on because you have “a passion for acting”.
If an agent is interested in meeting you, don’t be afraid to ask questions at the meeting. You need to feel that you can communicate and that ultimately you are working as partners.
Here's some thoughts on agencies that I wrote as a possible article for this site - hope some of it might be useful
Spotlight publish a book called “Contacts” each year. It’s available on-line from the Spotlight website, stocked by larger bookshops and cheap second-hand copies from previous years are often available from Amazon market place.
Contacts lists pretty well every agent in the country. Just because an agent is in Contacts does not mean that is well-established, reputable or well-run (though most will be).
You could try ringing round a few agents and ask about their submission policy. Most will say that you should write or email them with a CV and headshot. A good actor’s agent will definitely want to meet you before taking you on and will want to see what you can do. If the agent is prepared to take you on without meeting you, be cautious, it probably won’t be worth being represented by them.
People often ask for recommendations for agencies. This is always fraught with difficulties because what suits one actor/model/performer won’t suit another.
There are many agencies (especially modelling agencies or those specialising in commercials) that take on hundreds and hundreds of clients. Some of them charge large sums of money as a “registration fee” or “book fee” or “website fee”. It is worth noting that up front fees are illegal and that any charge made for a book fee must be reasonable (i.e. should accurately reflect the cost of producing the publication) and you should be able to see the publication. Actors’ agencies should not charge a book fee, though Extras agencies may do so. If you are prepared to pay a fee (and I don’t think anyone should pay a fee to be in an actor’s agency) ask them whether they will take the fee out of your earnings. Never be afraid to challenge a request for money. It is much easier for an agent to make money from book fees from eager performers than it is for them to make money on commission from jobs, so less-than-scrupulous agents may happily take your money knowing full well that you are very unlikely to get any work through them.
If an agent you approach is defensive or full of bluster about up front charges, ask yourself whether you want to be represented by them. Also, make sure you know how many people they represent: being one of hundreds is not likely to go in your favour. The best agents know every client on their books.
As many actors know, “choosing an agent” is probably not how it usually works. In theory, an actor employs an agent; in practice the agent accepts or rejects an actor. Agents are inundated with submissions from actors and the best agents are very choosy indeed. When you are approaching agents, try to put yourselves in the agent’s position. An agent will represent an actor if he/she believes that the actor has what it takes to make money for the agent in the short or long term. As already stated, this should be from commission earned, not from up front fees.
So, why should the agent take you on? They won’t do it out of altruism or to be nice to you or because they believe that “everyone should be given a chance” (steer clear of agents that state something like this, they will find it very difficult to run a successful agency if they really do operate with that mindset!). They will take you on because their experience suggests that you are the sort of performer who may get work. This might be because of your looks, or your skills or more likely a combination of the two. An agent will look at your photograph and your CV and will also scan a covering letter.
Young actors: if an agent thinks you have a great look, they may not worry much about a lack of experience, because they will see the potential for you to be of interest to casting directors – especially for lucrative commercials. If they see that you have masses of experience with recognised industry names, they’ll probably wonder why you don’t have an agent, but will probably be interested in seeing you because you have proved that you are employable. If you look quite interesting and have some experience and perhaps have unusual or interesting skills, they might be interested in meeting you.
Adult actors: competition is fierce, getting a decent agent is not easy. If an agent will take you on without meeting you and/or without ever having seen you perform – the agent is not worth bothering with… Honestly, you will do much better looking for work on your own and building up a CV that will be of interest to a good agent who will take a genuine interest in your career.
Hard though it is, if you are interested in trying to get professional work, you need to look at yourself as a commodity. The best agents will be interested in you, your ambitions and your career, but they are running a business, so don’t expect them to take you on because you have “a passion for acting”.
If an agent is interested in meeting you, don’t be afraid to ask questions at the meeting. You need to feel that you can communicate and that ultimately you are working as partners.