People always ask me: “Do all agencies receive the same audition opportunities? Or do some of the bigger agencies get preferential treatment or their connections help get their talent better opportunities?”
For the most part all agents get the exact same breakdowns. Small agents can have great relationships with casting directors, and so can big agencies. Having clout by signing with agencies like CAA and ICM and William Morris Endeavor applies to actors who have already built their careers. Those big agencies really only represent actors who have already spent 5 or 10 years building their name, reputation and body of work. Those agencies find you, you don’t submit to them.
When you are just getting started in an acting career you’re not going to get an “A” level agent. You’re going to get a “B” or “C” level agency and that is FINE!! At the early stages it doesn’t matter who the agency is. You just need an agent who is EXCITED about you! New actors with no TV credits are always a harder sell then actors who already have credits, period. They take more time to get in the door.
Any hard-working agent at a “B” or “C” level agency that takes you on is going to have to become VERY excited about you and willing to continually work hard to get you in the door year after year. (Only you getting legit TV credits will make that easier, or becoming social media star, or established in another field like sports)
So…How does an agent get excited by a client? Here are 5 ways!
1) If the actor BOOKS the auditions they go on.
2) If the actor gets CALLBACKS for the auditions they go on.
3) If the actor is busy SUBMITTING THEMSELVES on projects and booking them. For example; short films that go to major film festivals and get recognition.
4) If the actor gives their agents great HEADSHOTS to work with and great acting CLIPS AND DEMO REELS. Always updating their acting clips with great new footage every six months.
5) If the actor is busy networking and making connections on their own through networking groups and film festivals and getting opportunities on their own to help build their resume.
Having an Agent or Manager is only one piece of the puzzle. That’s why they only get paid 10-20%. Actors have to do 80% of the work.
When looking for an Agent or Manager go ahead and submit. But understand the agency and managers check those submissions at THEIR leisure not yours. If they need clients they will look at the submissions, if they’re not in need of new actors they won’t look at the submissions. Some may look at every submission, some agents don’t and they only look at submissions by referrals. If you’re really interested in signing with one particular agent submit every 3 to 4 months, send the new footage, send them to Headshots, and stay in touch with them always asking for a meeting. It will take persistence and consistency – just like it takes for every other success you will have it this business. DON’T GIVE UP. YOU ARE WORTHY.
