March 16, 2005

• Got Agent?

  
  

  How to get an agent. 

  
  

  This has been a much requested entry from a lot of  ”actor-to-be” readers and the one that I’ve long avoided.  Why?  Because the topic’s a huge headache.  There is no “right” way to go about it and there is waaaay too much to get into.

  
  

  And from my experience, 90% of the time, the people who ask — are not ready to have an agent yet.  Just having a headshot and being ready to mail ‘em out, does not make one “represent-able” goods. 

  
  

  Because once you get an agent, you’re going to be instantly thrust into a playing field amongst actors who are honing their chops daily or have been for years.  You don’t want to be labeled as being “too green” on your first impressions in front of casting people.  And the agents sure as heck don’t want you embarrassing them.  And the agents that do take on tons of newcomers are already known for their weaker talent pools among the casting community anyway - so his/her submissions probably won’t get open very often.     

  
  

  The key is to take your time.  Otherwise it’s a lose-lose situation in the long run.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve personally seen how the agent appropriate for the level you’re at – will usually always wind up “finding” you.  But who am I to be discouraging?  After all, I too once submitted to agencies I had no business sending out to.  So with that said…     

  
  

  I found a great way to pass the buck with all the agent questions.  Last week I came across a really well done book called: “An Agent Tells All” by Tony Martinez.

  
  

  Tony is currently an agent at GVA and was growing weary of the same questions.  So he wrote a book from the agent’s perspective on how to: submit to an agent, knowing when you’re ready for an agent, how to handle the interview, what tools you’ll need, what an agent does, what you should expect from your agent, etc.  The book’s also got a website. 

  
  

  In the book, Tony agrees that training is a tool that most actors forget they need.  It’s a very easy read and he thoroughly lays it all out in a clear, no-nonsense writing style similar to mine.  If I were to write a book about this stuff, it would come from the same principles.  A ”Thumbs Up” from me. 

  
  

  In fact, I learned a lot about the pilot season process in later chapters that I wish I knew while going through the NBC thing a few weeks ago.  Those starting out may not need that info right now, but that’s what good guidebooks do — have all the info available there when you need it. 

  
  

  So any of you folks looking for an agent, this is a great place start to accumulating a lot of information you’ll need… that is if you’re ready (see my site’s FAQ #3).

  
  

  Other good books about agents and the submission process are: “Your Film Acting Career” by MK Lewis (my bible when I started out) and “The LA Agent Book“ or  ”The NY Agent Book” by K. Callan.  Although both books provide timeless advice, the agencies/names may be outdated in the editions I linked above.  After reading about the agent submission process, then go into a Samuel French Bookstore in NY or LA and pick up “The Right Agent” or “The Agencies” (for some reason not available online) to read about each agency in detail and get their current addresses/agent names when you’re ready to submit.  Good luck!

  
  

  Btw: That last question in the previous entry on State Coins was a rhetorical one.  I outed out so many coin collectors!

  • 1:13 pm
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