As you begin your acting career, you might find yourself asking:
REMEMBER: A talent agent's job is to sift through all the applicants and then present the qualified and appropriate ones to casting directors, producers, ad agencies and companies who are looking for actors (on and off camera) for their productions.
A good agency will screen their talent. They won't represent just anybody who sends them a demo tape, an mp3 or whatever. And chances are they won't represent you if you have sex with any of them (unless of course you are able to give their key constituents the best bang they have ever had)
It has been thrown in my face many a time that to be considered by an agency, you will have to send them a professionally produced demo tape, a cover letter, and an acting resume. It has also been stated that most will not work with inexperienced newcomers, so you will have to show that you have had experience or at least some sort of credible, solid training to prepare for auditions and studio work.
But this is horse shit!!! What will sell you is your degree of self-love and self-acceptance and the fact that you think your shit don't stink!!! (BTW, mine... does NOT).
You will have to command the very air around you so that when you enter a room, everyone and everything will stop and take notice. They will either love you and want to marry you or... they may be so fucking jealous of you that they will wish you would drop dead on the spot. (Of course, you are NOT obliged to fulfill their wishes).
Supposedly If they like what they hear and see, they will call you. But then again, even if they like you, there is no guarantee that they will get any calls for your type and be able to send you out.
If they agree to represent you they will generally put excerpts from your demos tapes on a ãhouse reel," which these days is usually a CD containing the voices of all the talent they represent. They then market this CD to producers and others who might require voice talent. Even if you are not on the ãhouse reel," an agent may send you on auditions.
When a call for a particular type comes in, they will either audition the talent they represent by having them read the client's copy or submit talent demo tapes (for voiceover) and head shots (for on camera work). Should one of their talents book the job, the agent handles the details of the booking and negotiates the fee, makes sure you are paid in a timely manner and take 10-15% of your talent fee for their efforts. Agents are paid commissions from both the talent they represent and the clients for whom they provide the talent. Some agents, who are also managers, take a 20% commission. Generally the check comes to the agent who deposits it and pays you your percentage less their commission.
IMPORTANT: Agents only get paid after you book a job which they referred you to, so NEVER pay an agent in advance for agreeing to represent you. If they require you to do so, they are just sleazy money whores who couldn't give a fuck about you, save for the fact that your money (and that of other gullible saps) is paying for their luxury apartment on Park Avenue.
It is unethical for an agent to produce your demo tape or ask you for money to help pay their marketing costs (tape duplication etc.). There have been several scams of this nature. If someone claiming to be an agent asks you for the money up front, zip up your pants (if need be), grab your stuff, run for the door, run out the building and report them to the consumer affairs department at your state attorney general's office.
One way to know if a talent agency is legitimate is to call the closest office of either of the two talent unions: SAG or AFTRA. Other more experienced actors in your area can also tell you who is good and who to avoid. It's always wise to keep careful records of everything you book through a talent agent. Recently one of the oldest and most respected agencies in New York City was forced out of business when it was found that talent payments had been embezzled. While rare, problems like this can happen.
It is not uncommon for a talent agency to specialize. Some work with children, others with sports figures, etc. Most of the larger agencies have separate departments for voiceover and on camera commercials, legit (theatre) and film. There are also agencies that specialize in real people modeling (print work).
Most agencies like to have a small group of exclusive signed clients and a larger group of non-exclusive clients to draw from. They will generally send out their exclusive clients first and then call the non-exclusives as a back-up. Signing exclusively with an agency means you may not accept work or auditions from anyone else. As a beginner, it's probably best to freelance with as many agencies as possible. This increases your chances for wider exposure. An exclusive contract is generally good for a year.
Most major talent agencies are located in big cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Miami, because that's where the work is. And because most auditions are face to face, they will rarely work with talent who live outside of their immediate area. To find the talent agents in your area, look in the yellow pages and then ask around. In New York City or Los Angeles, consult the Ross Reports, available at any drama bookstore, or call 800-817-3273. Many other large cities have resource directories for actors. Ask your librarian.
Your submission package should include your voiceover demo tape and a cover letter. Agents will tell you they would also like to see a head shot and an acting resume, but if you don't have a head shot, ignore what they say and just send your tape with a cover letter.
It can be frustrating to get an agent to listen to your tape or take your phone calls. Follow up with weekly phone calls until you get feedback on your tape. If they like what they hear they will call you in for an interview. They basically want to meet you and make sure you are professional.
To find out whether an agency is right for you ask them: how long they have been in business, what are some of the things they have done lately, and whether you can call any of the other talent they represent for a reference. You might also ask how they plan to market you and what types of things they will be likely to send you out on.
If you can't find an agent, don't despair! While agents are an important part of our marketing mix, they are not the only way to get work. Remember, an agent does not hire you directly. They are middlemen. You ultimately work for a production company or a client. So if you can't get an agent to represent you or there are none in your area, it is perfectly fine to go to the producers themselves.
As soon as you make your demo, begin assembling a list of production companies, casting directors and recording studios in your area and start sending out your tape and making phone calls. Or think about building your own studio and marketing yourself globally. I've always taken a very hands-on, proactive approach to my own career instead of waiting around for somebody to do it for me. I think this attitude has been essential to my success.