Ways To Get An Acting Agent
There are many ways to get an acting agent, of course, but being that I’ve just recently signed with my first exclusive agency, I thought I’d share what I’ve learned about the process and give you some of my “stats” to hopefully help contextualize your experience — I would have loved some hard facts when I was on my hunt 🙂
I have met with 8 agents so far in my career (“met” meaning an in-the-office meeting/audition).
Of those, I have freelanced with 2 of them and signed with 1.
I met 3 by friend referrals,
4 by mailings,
1 by being in a show with another represented actor.
When I met with these agents, I got good “we could work together” vibes from 6 of them.
Apparently I was wrong about 4 of those.
1 was cold and rushed in our meeting.
1 was schmarmy (is that a word?) in a kind of used car salesman way…yuck.
Of all 8, 1 was a commercial agent, 2 worked on all areas of the biz, and 5 were legit agents.
Of the 8, 6 of them were women and only 2 were men (what does this mean about me??).
All 8 of these were at small to medium-sized offices (probably also helped along by the fact that those are the ones I’ve been specifically targeting).
There were many, MANY more that I spent hours of my life meeting at seminars. MANY of those were very positive meetings and I left feeling hopeful, but never was able to make a real meeting come about from any of them. I will, however, credit some of the valuable feedback I got from meeting them to my success in branding myself to other agents.
And for what it’s worth: a couple of the agents I had great meetings with but didn’t get signed by? They still read my actor newsletter. So I know they’re at least interested in my future 🙂
What has your agent hunting experience been? Do you have any other tips and tricks to add?
P.S. What do you think of the little graphic I made? I’m no designer, but I’m pretty pleased with it!
The Green Room 
1. Love the graphic! 2. I signed with my favorite agency after I’d perfected a few marketing techniques: I joined a dancer-specific website that had certain ties with the agency (and made sure I was being featured as much as possible), I streamlined my cover letter and referenced all the work and connections I had made in New York, and then I mentioned that I had booked 2 shows and had to choose between them. The NY office recommended me to the LA office when I moved and I signed as soon as I arrived!
Reblogged this on Start Your Acting Career and commented:
This is a question that gets raised frequently, whether you are a starting actor or not. This list is right on point, and number one on the list is where most every actor starts, and what I’ll focus on today. It’s where I started in two major markets (San Francisco, Los Angeles).
How do you even begin to tackle a project as huge as a mass mailing?
Well first, you need to write a basic business letter of introduction. If you’re not sure how, there are great websites that explain how to do this – do an internet search.
Next, you will need to have a nice snapshot ( especially for children ) of yourself from the shoulders up. Mostly, you will be applying for a commercial agent, and your photo should reflect that. Commercial agents want to see that you are friendly, approachable, and could sell cereal if asked. Taking inexpensive headshots may be easier, however, if you need to reproduce the photo around 100 times ( they don’t call it mass mailing for nothing ). The photographer will usually be able to direct you on how to get the copies made following the shoot.
Now you’ve got your photo, you’ll need a resume. There are also great resources on the internet about how to create a resume, especially when you have no credits. It should be formatted professionally, and be easy to read, with your contact information clearly listed.
Now you’re ready to mail! It’s good to have a system in place to keep track of who you’ve mailed to, and the response, if any. There are even software programs that help actors to specifically do this. But if you are savvy with making a spreadsheet, you can track it yourself. And you’re on your way! You just have to wait for the phone to ring.
TALK TO ME. Have you completed a mass mailing? What tips can you share about your experience? And remember to subscribe (it’s free), and share.
copyright Natasha Younge 2013