CAN I JUST GO GET AN AGENT?
“My child wants to be an actor…who’s your agent?”
It’s the question we’re asked all the time. It’s kind of like asking “What’s your sign?’ expecting a simple answer to a complex subject from a complex universe.
Just go get an agent. That simple, right? Wrong.
THERE’S MORE TO IT
‘The better question to ask is ‘How do I get a good agent’?.
There will be some work to do before submitting to a reputable agency. For example, do you have headshots, resume, a reel, training, set experience? Are your materials to submit professional and good quality?
Remember, the agent will be representing your child in a multi-billion dollar industry. This comes with their relationships with casting directors, producers, directors, and industry leaders they have built over the years.
Taking on a new client will mean they have confidence and trust in their willingness to represent you in this industry. Your professionalism will matter. Therefore, you’ll want to be prepared.
HOW DO I PREPARE TO GET AN AGENT?
Before going after an agent to sign your kid, we’d highly recommend having some basic knowledge of the industry and requirements that will be involved for you, your child, the family.
An agent will be your doorway—a gatekeeper—between you/your child and casting directors. And more. You’ll still have a lot of work to do, but your agent will act on your behalf to get auditions, negotiate contracts and more.
You’ll find helpful answers and insight in Ask An Agent: Brutally Answered Questions for Actors of All Stages by Jason Lockhart. About this book:
“Getting inside the mind of an agent is crucial, as they are generally the first gatekeeper to an actor’s success. Consider this book your secret weapon to breaking in or leveling up.”
We wish we would have had a guide like this when we started out. After going through tons of articles, websites, resources because we didn’t know where or how to start the journey into acting, this resource would have answered questions that we were asking. It would have answered questions we didn’t think to ask, too!
HOW TO GET A GOOD AGENT
Do your homework and research. Know who the best agencies are for kids in your region. Know what you will need before submitting. For example, what an agency might look at:
☑️Headshots
☑️Resume
☑️Reel
☑️Training
☑️Set experience, etc.
A resume for a 6 and 9 year old? It first sounded crazy to think that young kids would be building a resume, acting reel, and getting professional headshots. It was at that moment we realized the seriousness of what goes along with this business. Remember, it is a business.
A question you will most likely be asked is if you have a parent or guardian who is available to take the child to auditions, to set, to be present at all times on set when booked.
[Link to book and additional helpful info on agents below under Resources.]
LITTLE KIDS IN BIG BUSINESS MEETINGS
When we first met with our agent to (hopefully) represent our kids, we knew we were walking into what would be like a very professional meeting, just as any adult would attend. Both kids were prepared.
We were led to the conference room and both kids sat at one end of the conference table across from the agents and agency team. One meeting was with the commercial division team, the other with the theatrical division for TV/film.
All the headshots were laid out on the table. We had several headshots—theatrical and commercial headshots for each kid plus several different ‘looks’ for each to show a range of characters they could possibly play.
They looked at all the headshots, they read through the resumes. They asked questions, the kids answered. Both kids sat tall and confident and remained in clear communication the entire meeting.
Communication is a big deal. If your kids don’t know how or don’t like talking to adults, probably in the middle of a meeting like this isn’t the time to discover that this might not be for them.
Going forward, if they do sign with the agency, there will be many more times ahead where they will be in the rooms in front of casting directors, directors, producers and more.
Note of advice: Be sure they not only like the art of acting, but also carry the skill of talking to adults in professional settings.
Our meeting with our agents was a great indicator of how the kids would be in a professional world. They loved it. They both had been on set before to know what this industry is like and that this is where they wanted to be.
They were ready.
CAN I JUST GO GET AN AGENT?
While there are kids who sign with an agent right away….before any training, before they have a resume, no experience…it is not the norm. In those rare cases that they do happen to sign with an agent before any experience, there will still be a big learning curve to follow.
You’ll need to be able to turn auditions around quickly, follow instructions carefully, and sometime change your schedules last minute to accommodate all that will follow—auditions, bookings, and more.
There’s a responsibility that goes with that. An agent will have to know they can trust you and your child(ren) as they’ll be representing you in the huge and highly competitive industry.
“Like many other things in business, an agent with knowledge and power is a good combination.” -Bizparentz
SIGNED, NOW WHAT?
⭐️You’ll set up casting site profiles, such as Actors Access, if you don’t already have them. Follow the instructions the agency provides for setting up and linking representation.
⭐️Know how to audition. Know the self-tape set up—proper lighting, framing, sound, etc. Know how to edit, label and upload the auditions. Chances are it will be different with each audition.
Note of advice: If you’re new to this, we suggest not asking your agent for help with these details. They don’t have time to field certain questions because they’re busy getting their roster (of hundreds of clients) auditions.
⭐️Find an acting coach that can tape, edit, and upload your auditions if you need help in the beginning. Or at least until you can do it from home on your own. You won’t want to send it less than average auditions.
⭐️Be ready to audition on short notice if necessary. Turn around times for TV/film and commercials can be very fast at times. If you have other kids or responsibilities, know that there will be much juggling / changing schedules.
⭐️Be thankful for the auditions that come your way. Know there will be ‘no’s, probably many of them. Think about it this way: For each breakdown that is shown for each role….there could be hundreds or thousands of actors being submitted for that role. A casting director will choose a certain number to give the audition to.
So, again, be thankful for the auditions that do come your way. Your agent was able to get that audition from casting for you. We’re thankful for our agents because we know and trust they’re submitting the kids for roles that match them. Each audition is a chance to perform and connect to a casting director.
⭐️Maintain a positive relationship with your agents and their team. You’ll become a team and your agent will be the gateway between your child and the industry.
REMINDER: Don’t ever pay to sign with an agent. They will get paid (by commission) when you get paid from work they secure for you. AVOID SCAMS.
Find additional resources below for you/your child’s acting journey.
Photo credit: property of Ask An Agent: Brutally Answered Questions for Actors of All Stages by Jason Lockhart.
RESOURCES
“This book is no bull, straight from the mouth of a blunt talent agent, currently hustling for over 500 clients and closing deals daily. His words are legit instructions on how to be a working actor in film and TV. Organized into three sections: Getting an Agent, Working with Your Agent, and Thriving with Your Agent,“
AGENTS. Read more about the role of an agent here:
AGENTS AND MANAGERS 101
SAG-AFTRA franchised agency list (search your region) here
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