How to Get an Acting Agent

Why Do I Need an Agent?
Talent agents are your ambassadors to the people who will hire you for acting work – the directors, producers, and casting directors. Your agent will find auditions and make contact for you, and in return for these services he will receive 10% of your paychecks (this is the industry standard; beware of agencies asking significantly more than this).

How does this work? Agents hear about upcoming auditions either directly from the producers and casting directors organizing the auditions, or from a service called the Breakdowns. This list, prepared and faxed out daily, is available only to agents and managers. There are some enterprising actor collectives and theater groups out there who manage to get their hands on copies of the Breakdowns as well, but actors aren’t technically supposed to see them – and when it comes down to it, you won’t do yourself any favors by walking into a major audition without agency representation.

There are exceptions to this rule: significantly, you don’t usually need representation to audition for student films. These are a great way to build your résumé and to start networking from the bottom-up. Many student films even receive agreements from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), and although non-union actors cannot receive SAG vouchers for this type of work, it is a great opportunity to work alongside signed / union actors and possibly to be seen by agents and other industry professionals within the film festival circuit or during distribution negotiations.
Many types of professional theater work – especially that in summer stock or regional / repertory companies – can also be undertaken without agency representation. Most theaters in smaller markets where there aren’t too many AEA (Actors Equity Association – the stage actors’ equivalent of SAG) actors available have agreements that allow union members, union-eligible candidates, and non-union actors to work together. Many of these theaters are well-respected establishments with long-standing histories, and this is a fantastic way to get professional experience, build your résumé, and make industry connections. While most big professional theaters in New York will require their actors to have Equity contracts and / or agency representation, many of the countless smaller, downtown theaters – not to mention Fringe companies – are independently run, and are viable options for beginning actors. Once again, this is a great way to network and build your résumé, and will very likely expose you to agents, managers, and other industry professionals who may be interested in you later on.

Continue: How to Get an Agent Part 2