Ask A Healer Creative Wellbeing Series

Getting a good acting agent may mean you start getting the roles you deserve as an actor; what you should know about acting agencies
Copyright, Neva J Howell

Featured For Actors:
How to give up your day job and act for a living

Additional Resources: Actor's Skill Development Pack > Stand Up Comedy Performance Kit > Strengthen Your Voice > What is Subtext? > Crying on Cue > Believable Acting > What Makes Good Acting > Oh, the Angst! > The Acting Guide

Earmarks of Legitimate Acting Agents:

A licensed acting agent will never ask for a fee from you, up front. They will never charge money to represent you as an actor or actress. If the agent does not believe they can find acting work for you, they should not take you on.

SAG agents receive 10% commission on jobs they book for you; non-union agents may take more.

I personally do not recommend working with non-union agents who take an exorbitant fee to represent you. My rule would probably be no more than 15% although I know many charge 20% or even as much as 30%.

A legitimate acting agency has "people". They have been in business long enough to have formed relationships with casting directors and other folks on every level of a creative project from producers to personal managers. They can, and will, negotiate to get you the best fee for each job.

Repeat ..... a legitimate acting agent will NEVER ask for advance fess or make you get headshots at a specific photographer or require you to handle any of your acting promotion thru channels they specifically promote.

This information courtesy of my own experience and the folks at Show Biz Ltd. They offer agency listings that have been screened and are designed to help you find an agent that will be safe, effective and legitimate.

Learn more about how to get a good agent, and explore the Acting Agencies Listings Service offered by Show Biz Ltd:

Disclaimer: I have not personally used this service. I believe they provide valuable resources for actors. However, you should always use your own best judgement when using any service to promote your career.

Looking for film casting calls? Show Biz Ltd. also has those. Working as an extra in movies

How to get a good agent:

I learned (the hard way) that a bad agent is worse than no agent at all.

When I went to Hollywood the first time, I didn't care who signed me as long as somebody did. I soon learned that an agent who is sloppy, and submits you for everything instead of for roles that feel like a good match for your age, range and character type, do you more harm than good in the industry.

Casting Directors have really long memories if you ever make them look bad in an audition by doing a poor job or not being right for the role. This is understandable since they are being trusted by the director, producer and/or writer of the creative project, to bring in the best talent that can be found. An agent who repeatedly submits people who aren't right for the role will soon be ignored by the CD.

When people ask me how to find a good agent these days, I suggest they search online for interviews the agent has give or for comments from celebrities represented by them. Sour grapes can be felt and read between the lines.

Also look to see who else they represent. If they have a lot of actors or actresses of your age, range and type, they may be overloading their roster which will make it harder for you to get work. Also, they'll be less open to taking on a similar person.

When you do get the interview, calm your excitement over possibly getting signed, long enough to really notice whether or not you actually like the person. I was signed with someone that I did not even enjoy talking to at one time. This person was just sour-faced and negative, as far as I could tell. That's just not good energy.

Considering how to get a good agent may be one of the best ways to start your career off on the right foot; ignoring the importance of a good agent may be one of the best ways to stall out.

Cosmic Casting Office
Success Tips from Successful Creative Folks

Acting Lessons for Level One
These are best done done in order.

Acting Lesson 1 - Introduction to the Course > Acting Lesson 2 - The Actor's Body > Acting Lesson 3 - The Actor's Voice > Acting Lesson 4 - The Actor's Emotions > Acting Lesson 5 - The Actor's Mind > Acting Lesson 6 - Believable Acting Tips

Additional Goodies For Actors:
Free Audition Tips and Info on Ebook for Acting > Abraham-Hicks on Auditions > Is your heart in your craft?