The Actors Guide to getting an Agent.

The Real Ari: Ari Emanuel

If you want to be a professional actor, you have to have an agent.

There may come a time when a self-submit system – organized by a sophisticated social networking algorithm – makes the act of finding, pitching and landing auditions as simple as filling out a profile page.

(Actually… wait a minute. Why has that not happened yet? Oh, yeah. It’s because the entertainment industry is still convinced that the internet is an operating system in the likeness of Bernie Madoff. Everywhere you turn in Hollywood people are saying “when we learn how to monetize the web”, or, “we’ll just charge a small fee, people will pay it”. No, we wont. Ever. You can generate ad revenue, sure. But you cannot replicate the business model for television or movies, online. It is impossible. *End Tangent*)

In 2009, you need an agent.

So what does an agent do?

Since we’re dealing with young actors or people new to the business we’ll talk about the basic functions that an agent performs on standard jobs and contracts:

• They submit you for the job.
• They try to convince a casting director to see you, if they’re resistant.
• They follow-up with said casting directors – when appropriate – to see how you performed in an audition.
• They recommend acting workshops and photographers for head shots.
• They make sure that you are being treated professionally on set.
• When you are not being treated professionally, they handle it.
• They create something in the likeness of an excel worksheet to chart your progress.
• They update your resume and make sure that you’re Casting Workbook and IMDB pages are accurate.

Once you graduate onto lead roles, picture deals, box-office bonuses, gross percentages and the like, you need someone who is thinking dynamically about the overarching theme of your career. In the beginning, you need a level-headed, detail oriented, honest and motivated person that you get along with. Ideally, the latter becomes the former.

If an agent asks for any of the following things, it should raise a red-flag.

• Money up front. Did you know that you can earn $4000 – 9,000 working from home? Just send us your Visa number…
• Commissions higher than 15%. 15% is standard for film and television. Theater is usually 10%.
• They don’t have to work in an office. It’s perfectly reasonable for someone to run a single-person agency from their residence. That being said, if they don’t put on pants for your interview, I’d pass.
• You should be able to see the entire roster of the agency. In fact, it should be a selling feature.

Now, onto the important stuff. You want to become a professional actor with reputable representation and you don’t know where to start:

1. Resume. Write down everything you have ever done that was not directed by your parents. Unless you had a parent that also taught drama at your school. I wasn’t kidding when I said write down everything. Write down everything.
2. Organize that resume in this type of format: Click here to view my resume as a Google Doc.
3. Headshot. It should be an 8 x 10. Everybody has a digital camera. Snap a shot, print out 50 copies. Your agent will probably want you to get a new one. Don’t spend more than $100. And… Just have them printed on nice paper. Don’t bother with whatever expensive s*it the photographer suggests. You should also keep a .jpg file.
4. Demo reel. Again, it’s the year 2009. Get a camera and shoot a couple of monologues with an introduction off the top; edit it together on iMovie and upload it to YouTube. Don’t burn any copies to CD. (3 minutes max.)
5. Find three people that you know in the industry and ask them to suggest 5 agencies in your city. If you don’t know anyone in the industry than sign up for a free trial with IMDBPro. Find actors that you recognize from your city and see who represents them. If that doesn’t work, then find those people on Facebook and send them a brief message asking for recommendations. If you’re still searching, send me an email – stephenamell@gmail.com – with the actors names and I’ll email you back with their agencies. The point is: Find 5 Agencies.
6. Contact each agency and try to set up a meeting. They’ll request a headshot, resume and demo reel. You’ll have all three on the ready. If you leave a message and don’t hear back within 3 business days, call back. Rinse, wash, repeat.
7. Treat the meetings like – wait for it… job interviews. Ask as many questions as possible. See if the agent is the right fit for you. When you’re answering questions be honest, direct and as brief as possible. You’re not going believe this, but actors have the tendency to be long winded and maddeningly vague. Above all, remember that this is the first opportunity for the agent to see you perform. So take that room by storm in a concentrated, controlled manner.
8. If you are rejected after the initial meeting ask the agent for 3 different acting workshops to help you improve. Pool the suggestions together and complete the one recommended most. Then call the agents back.
9. Signing. 1-year contracts are not uncommon. Don’t agree to anything longer. If the agent tells you it’s their “policy”, ask for proof.
10. Bring the acting industry to its knees.

Actors, by and large, are analytical to a fault. They get so wrapped up in meaningless, remedial bullshit that they forget why they’re in the business to begin with. To perform. To entertain. To bring people joy and laughter. (I don’t care how that sounds.)

Once you have an agent standing behind you, do your best to separate yourself from the business side of the equation and focus on your craft.

Sky’s the limit from there.