Before submitting to agencies in search of representation, the first thing you need to know is if the agency is actually taking submissions. Many agencies will only take submissions on referrals. Referrals can come from acting instructors, actors who are already represented by the agency, casting agents, directors, etc.
When I first started looking for representation, I went to SAG-AFTRA’s website and downloaded their list of SAG franchised agencies in Atlanta. I wrote a post about how to do this last year. You can find the article here.
Once I had my list, I went to each of the agency websites to see if they took submissions and how they wanted that submission. There are three ways to submit and every agency has their preference.
- Email submission
- Form on their website
- Mail submission
The Cover Letter
I wrote a detailed cover letter in the format of my email body to outline what I have accomplishes, my roles, what my acting goals were and my training. The email also covered my passion for acting and how motivated I was to be successful.
Headshots
Professional headshots are an absolute necessity for actors looking to get work in the entertainment industry. A headshot is often the first impression a casting director or agent will have of an actor, so having quality photos taken by a professional photographer experienced in headshots is crucial. An amateur photo simply will not cut it when competing against other actors who have invested in professional shots. A good headshot should capture the actor’s personality and essence while looking natural, not overly posed or artificial. The lighting, background, framing, and color balance should all be expertly handled to make the actor look their best.
Resume
Acting Credits
Having acting credits to your name is important when trying to get representation from a talent agent. Agents want to see that an actor has experience in the industry and some name recognition, even if on a small scale initially. The number and quality of acting credits signal an actor’s experience level and demonstrate their commitment to the craft. Credits prove that an actor has on-set experience and the ability to land roles, which gives agents confidence that the actor can continuously book jobs if signed.
Training
Taking acting classes, workshops, and other professional training can make a big difference when seeking representation from an agent. Agents want clients who have devoted time and effort to honing their acting skills and take the craft seriously. Formal acting training shows that an individual is truly passionate about the profession and isn’t just looking for fame. It demonstrates dedication, focus, and a willingness to grow as an actor. Agents prefer working with talent who have studied under coaches, teachers, and programs that the agents recognize and respect. The right training on audition techniques, scene study, improvisation, and more proves that an actor will show up skilled, prepared, and able to take direction when meeting with casting directors and booked on jobs. There are many agencies that won’t even consider representing an actor who has no training.
Skills
Beyond acting talent, agents look for actors who have developed a diverse set of skills that make them more marketable for a wide array of roles. Skills like stage combat, dance, foreign languages, singing, accents, musical instruments, and more give actors a leg up when competing for parts. Agents want clients who have taken the time to expand their artistic abilities because it directly translates to booking more jobs. A dancer who can also sing has an advantage at auditions for musical theater roles. An actor trained in stage combat can be considered for action films and stunt work. Fluency in another language allows an actor to land bilingual parts. The more skills an actor can list on their resume, the greater their casting potential.
Reel
Agents need to see an actor’s work in action to assess their skills. A strong reel displays an actor’s range and the compelling qualities that make them stand out, such as emotional depth, comedic timing, believable accents, and more. Footage should be thoughtfully curated from an actor’s best film, television, commercial, or other acting work. Even if credits are limited, a reel featuring scenes from classes and workshops can still be impactful.
Other Ways to Find An Agent
I have seen the Talent Link posts on Actor’s Access and know of at least 2 actors who found representation with this method, so it is legitimate. One of the actors had to go through this method 6 times before finding representation, so not giving up is imprtant.
It’s different for everyone and a lot of getting an agent is based on what the agency’s needs are. If you have a look that the agency lacks, you have a better chance of getting representation. It takes some actors years to find representation and most agencies will let you submit every 6 months. So don’t give up. If you don’t find an agent the first time around, keep working on your craft, self book projects and take more acting classes.
Simon Shih 