Picking the Right Agent

Picking an agent is more or less like college selection. It is one decision that needs to be made carefully because it will greatly determine the future of your acting career. Sadly, most actors blindly rush into making this decision. There are thousands of well-established talent agencies and narrowing down your choices can be very confusing. Those who have made it in the acting industry will tell you that finding the right agency that perfectly fits what you need is a daunting task.

Well-established agencies versus ‘boutique agencies’

I believe the biggest mistake that most start up actors make is trying to get signed with the famous, well-established agencies. Sure enough, if you get lucky and are offered a place, this could really work out well for you. However, there are advantages of being signed by the smaller agencies. You are most likely to be very important to them and they will work around the clock to secure a lot of work for you. The bottom line is that you seek to create business relationship with your agency. At this point, the best thing that could happen to you is you becoming a working actor, so the best agency for you is one that helps you find work, regardless of its location, the length of time it has been around or its size.

Having said that, these questions should help you pick an agent or agency that best meets your needs;

• What are the projects and talents that the agency handles effectively?

Find out what the agency in known for; what is their specialty and do your needs fit in? Different agencies specialize in different areas. You either want to go commercial or for theatrics, it is true that some agencies may be representing both, but there are agencies that are better than others at one or the other.

• How does your agent see you and your casting? Is that how you see yourself?

There are certain types of roles that you believe are the right ones for you; you have practiced them and you feel comfortable with them. If the agent does not seem to pay attention to this, then feel free to keep looking for the right agent. There are many agencies to choose from.

• At what level are you in your career? Is the Agency at that level?

With time, you will notice that you have built your career to a certain point and you need to move to the next level. If your current agency is not able to find you audition for the next level, then you need to change to another- upgrade.

Now, when is the right time for you to start looking for a new agent?

I want to presume that the fact that you are currently working with an agent means that you accessed them and chose them. It therefore, means that they saw your talent and your casting as you wanted them to. However, there comes a time when you feel like you no longer work well with them. Here are some genuine reasons for you to start looking for a new agent:

• When you are not being called for auditions despite having done everything that your agent requires you to. If you have put in all your efforts in getting the perfect demo reel and headshot and attended classes as your agent recommended and you still are not getting auditions, it is high time you left and looked for another agent.

• If others in your age-group are getting out. You may not be in the agency’s age-group sweet spot and therefore, not being pushed forward for auditions. If you realize that many actors in the age group within which you fall are leaving, you too should leave.