Grow Your Acting Career With the Right Talent Agent
By The Up-To-Date Actor, May 30, 2022
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Navigating the world of acting can be challenging for even the most experienced of actors. The Film/TV/Theatre industries are fickle and dynamic. As a working actor, it is your responsibility to do everything you can to grow your acting career. Part of that means partnering with the right talent agent.
Having the right representation can make all the difference in your success. The Up-To-Date Actor has an extensive database filled with talent agencies, but it is on you to find representation that is the best fit.
Research Different Talent Agents
There are so many different talent agents available but that does not mean they are all right for you. Do your homework and research, research, research! Use the Up-To-Date Actor’s talent agency database to put together a list of talent agencies you are interested in. Find agents who represent your area of interest and who are actively seeking new talent. Get even more specific by filtering for agents looking for your demographics, ethnicity, age, and skill set.
Once you have narrowed down your list of desired talent agents, add them to your targets page so you will be notified of upcoming networking events, changes in staff, changes in contact information, and other relevant information.
Craft a Cover Letter Submission
The cover letter you write should explain why this talent agent or company needs to represent you. What language skills do you have? Do you dance? Do you play sports? What is your ethnicity? What are your demographics? What specific life experiences do you have that could help you stand apart from the rest of the competition?
Most cover letters will also include your unique type (how you are most often cast), and who recommended you (if you have a referral). Make sure to include links to recent work, reels, training, who you are currently or have previously worked with/studied with, reviews, and other relevant information that will put you on the talent agent’s radar. Also include links to your marketing materials, including your headshots, resume, online profiles (Actors Access & Casting Networks), website, and recent self-tape audition samples. Close with a brief line about how you are confident in your future success and look forward to hearing from the agency.
As for the subject line, this is critical for getting your email opened in the first place! If you are already recognizable in the industry, putting your name in the subject line could help. If not, which is likely, given that you’re looking for an agent, it’s best to use creative words to highlight your unique talent.
For example: Seeking Talent Representation 35-45's SAG/Bilingual/Athletic/Boxer/Gritty/Sensual/Sassy
At the very end, create a professional signature including your name, phone number, headshot, website links, IMDB link, and contact information.
Prepare for Your Talent Agent Interview
Part of your homework involves preparing for the interview with your potential talent agent. Reaching this stage is a great sign that both you and your potential representation are interested in each other. Keep that in mind – each other. Just as much as they are interviewing you, you are interviewing them. Remember that it must be the right fit. The only way you are going to grow your acting career with the right talent agent is if both of you are in sync.
Before the interview, verify their connections. The talent agent may say they have experience in several areas like film, tv, theatre, commercials, etc., but do they have strong enough connections in your main area of interest to get you the auditions you’re looking for? Many smaller agents and/or managers will say that they represent talent "across the board," but their connections may be limited to commercials and commercial print. How likely is it that they will be able to get you network TV auditions? This is something to consider.
Prior to the interview, make sure you know your type as an actor and your main area of focus for the next 6 months. For your main area of focus, specifically TV and theatre, research and target projects for which you feel you would be a good fit. Identify 10 TV shows filming in your area and 10 theatre projects being produced in the upcoming season. Find out who the casting directors are for those projects, as well as popular casting directors in your area of focus. Some of these may be casting directors who know your work and have called you in before. Having this information in your arsenal will show potential talent agents that you are organized, professional, business-oriented, and serious about your work.
Take control of your acting career by finding the right talent agent. Sign up for an account with the Up-To-Date Actor to access valuable tools and resources and take your acting career to the next level!