Finding Acting Agencies in London is a worthwhile pursuit: but it isn't for the faint-hearted
It’s no secret that getting into acting in a big city like London can be incredibly competitive — especially if you’re just starting out. Even professional actors who have been working for years often struggle to find consistent work. For instance, a study in 2019 revealed only 2% of actors make a living from the profession, and 90% are out of work at any one time. And that was pre-pandemic. A possible solution? One of the most valuable assets for any actor is an acting agent. However, finding acting agencies in London for beginners isn’t always easy.
Why should you reach out to an agent?
Agents are responsible for putting their clients up for auditions and helping them to find and secure work. For example, Agents tend to have exclusive resources and tools to help them access auditions that actors wouldn’t be able to apply for alone.
As a beginner, finding the perfect Agent may not always be possible. For example, many actors start at smaller agencies and gradually move up to more prominent agencies as their careers progress. Today, we’ll be giving you a straightforward guide to finding acting agencies in London for beginners.
We’ll cover everything from discovering the best London acting agencies for newcomers to getting an acting agent without experience.
Which Agencies Are the Best for Beginners to Acting?
If you are new to acting professionally, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of agencies in London. But, it’s important to remember that not all agencies are the same. Different agencies are better suited to different actors.
Small, indie and new agencies can be great for brand new actors!
Types of Agencies
Here are the various overarching types of agencies you’ll likely come across.
- Top-Tier Large Agencies – These agencies are the big, multi-agent corporations that tend to take on more famous actors. While you may be tempted to approach these larger agencies, they aren’t typically a realistic option for beginners.
- Boutique Agencies – These are smaller agencies with fewer agents and fewer actors. Nevertheless, they still tend to have access to high-quality auditions.
- Co-ops – Co-op agencies work differently from other agencies. Actors take turns working as agents for the rest of the team.
- Small Agencies – Small, indie, and new agencies can be great for brand new actors. These agencies tend to have only a few agents but don’t always have access to big auditions.
What to Look for as a Beginner
If you’re new to acting, you must decide which types of agencies might suit you best. While the top-tier agencies may sound the most exciting and the most promising, they can be hard to get in contact with. Furthermore, they may not treat you so favourably if you’re brand new to acting.
The other three types of agencies can all be good options for people new to acting. In addition, if you’re lucky enough to get a meeting with a boutique agency, you may find yourself with access to a range of exciting auditions.
If you aren’t successful with boutique agencies, don’t despair. Small agencies and co-op agencies can also be great! Therefore, while you won’t initially be going up for that big Netflix show or that big-budget film, you will likely be auditioning for some short films, indie films, off-West End productions, and commercials.
After a few years with a smaller agency, you will hopefully have built up a more impressive CV of professional work. Then, you may feel more confident approaching more prominent agents so that your career can continue to progress.
Where to Look for Finding Acting Agencies in London for Beginners
Now that you know about the various types of acting agencies, it’s time to start compiling a list of potential agents to contact. But, don’t underestimate this stage – it’s likely to involve many hours of painstaking research!
Firstly, start by creating a spreadsheet for yourself to keep track of the agencies you want to contact, then make sure to include the agency name, Agent’s name(s), email addresses, type of agency, and specific notes. This will help to craft personalised emails later on.
Networking is a fantastic way to get an agent's direct email address so you can stand out from the crowd!
Getting down to the search
While Googling “London acting agencies” can be a good place to start, you might miss out on quite a few agencies, thus minimising your chances of finding a good fit.
In addition to Google, other great tools for finding acting agents that accept new talent are Twitter, FILMD, and word of mouth.
Firstly, use Twitter to browse London agencies and find open calls for new clients. Many agencies, particularly smaller agencies, will post on Twitter when their books are open.
Secondly, join FILMD for free. Connect with fellow aspiring actors and seasoned pros and a range of cast, crew and creatives to build important connections, find important job opportunities and gain first-hand insights into an actor’s experience of working with agencies in London.
Finally, word of mouth can often be a great way to discover new potential agencies. Chat with your friends or message emerging actors on social media to find out who their Agent is. Don’t be shy about asking if you could get in contact with the Agent if they seem like a good fit for you.
Networking is a fantastic way to get an Agent’s direct email address so you can stand out from the crowd.
Using all of these resources, keep adding to your agent spreadsheet! In addition, be sure to research each agency in detail to know what makes the agency unique and what could make you their ideal new client.
List of Some Acting Agents in London
Unsure of where to begin? Here is a list of some of London’s best known acting agencies to help get you started.
Top-Tier Acting Agencies in London
- Troika
- Conway van Gelder Grant
- Independent Talent Group
- Curtis Brown
- Hamilton Hodell
- The Artists Partnership
- Tavistock Wood
- Markham, Froggatt & Irwin
- Artists Rights Group
Boutique Acting Agencies in London
- Eamonn Bedford Agency
- Simon & How Talent Agency
- Stetson Withers
- Jessica Carney Associates
- The BWH Agency
- Hatch Talent
- Shepperd Fox Artist Management
- Narrow Road
- Nancy Hudson Associates
- MacFarlane Chard
- Nina Lee Management
Co-Op Acting Agencies in London
- 1984 Personal Management
- NorthOne
- Alpha Actors
- CCM Actors
- Rosebury Management
Small/New Acting Agencies in London
- DCH Management
- Davis Gordon Management
- IAM
- Nic Knight
- BMA Artists
- MacFarlane Doyle
- Rebecca Middleton Talent
- Brood Management
- Hero Talent
- Hamilton Management
- Galloways
Indeed, there are dozens of other agencies in London, so be sure to continue researching and searching!
Contacting Your Chosen Agents and Agencies
Once you’ve compiled your list of potential agencies, it’s time to reach out.
Drafting a 'touching base' email
Firstly, start by writing a draft base email. Keep it relatively brief and straightforward. Introduce yourself, explain that you seek representation, and write a paragraph or two about your experience and career goals. Make sure you are personal and honest while showing that you are passionate about pursuing this career.
Once you’ve written a structure, you will need to personalise the email for each Agent. Be sure to explain why you are a good fit for them specifically. Maybe they specialise in theatre auditions, or perhaps they have a small roster of clients, for instance. Of course, you should always be sure to address the email appropriately to the specific Agent or agents you are reaching out to at the agency.
In addition to your cover letter, you should also include your headshot, acting CV, and showreel. As a beginner, you may not have these things. Nevertheless, it’s essential to show that you take acting seriously.
Introducing Spotlight
Spotlight is the leading acting job board. Every professional actor is on Spotlight. However, getting accepted as a beginner isn’t always easy. A ‘Performer’ membership currently costs £162 per year with a discounted rate of £106 for ‘Young Performers’ aged 4-24 years. Each year, applications are also welcome from Graduates.
‘Performers’ must have at least four professional credits or have graduated from a full-time accredited drama school. However, if you’re new to acting and don’t qualify for Spotlight, mention this in your letter and include a PDF acting CV.
Professional Headshots
It’s worth getting professional headshots to make your letters to acting agents stand out. While headshots can be expensive, they are a necessary investment that often pays off. However, if you really can’t afford professional headshots, have a friend with a good camera take a neutral, natural image of you in front of a plain background. The Agent will want to know what you look like!
Showreel
You probably won’t have a showreel with professional clips if you’re new to acting. If you’ve taken part in student films, cut together your scenes and use this as your showreel. You can also send clips of theatrical productions you’ve been in if the quality is adequate. If you have nothing to show, consider filming a monologue to show your acting capabilities.
Sign off the email expressing a desire to meet the Agent and discuss the next steps. But be prepared for plenty of rejections and unanswered emails. Hopefully, you will get one or two interested agents who wish to meet with you.
How to Prepare for Your Very First Agent Meeting
Once you’ve secured a meeting with an Agent, you’re well on your way! Your first agent meeting is bound to be pretty intimidating. But be confident. If the Agent wants to meet you, you can rest assured that they are interested in meeting you!
The meeting will likely occur in the Agent’s office or a public coffee shop or restaurant. Here are a few tips on nailing the meeting:
- Get a good night’s sleep so that you look your best.
- Dress in a casual yet professional outfit that you feel comfortable in.
- Give yourself lots of time in case you get lost!
- Show up on time!
- Come with a hard copy of your headshot and CV, just in case.
- Come armed with a few questions to ask the Agent at the end of the meeting.
- Prepare to answer some questions about your ideal career trajectory, your experience, your favourite roles, etc.
- Be confident and forthcoming about your skills and what you can bring.
- Do some research about the current UK film and theatre industry.
- Follow up with the Agent after a week or two of the meeting if you haven’t had further communication.
After You've Got Your First Agent
Hopefully, after following all these steps to find acting agencies in London for beginners, you’ll finally sign with your first agent! Congratulations – the hard work paid off!
However, don’t expect to start working straight away. You may not even get your first audition for a few weeks or months. The wait can be frustrating, but try not to bombard your Agent with emails. Do keep in touch, though, and feel free to point out any casting calls you see that seem like a good fit for you.
While you may spend a few weeks waiting for things to get started, you can use this time to prepare for your first audition. Learn monologues, invest in equipment for self-tape, go to the theatre – in other words, do everything you can to become the best actor you can be!