Pursuing acting as a career certainly isn’t easy. Unless you’re one of the very few lucky ones, you may spend months and years between auditions waiting for the next job. Having a good acting agent can be a huge help. In fact, without an agent, you probably won’t have access to the larger-scale projects that ultimately pay the bills.
This guide will give you a step by step process you can follow to find the perfect agent for you. We’ll cover the various types of acting agencies, how to find contact information, how to write a great introductory letter, and how to approach your first meeting with an acting agency. Follow this guide on how to find an agent to maximise your chances of finding your dream agent.
What Does an Agent Do?
Let’s begin by explaining what an agent actually does.
Your agent’s job will be to represent you as an actor. They will seek out auditions for you using their connections with casting agencies, directors, and production companies. A good agent will know your casting type so that they can find suitable auditions that are within your skillset and range. A great agent will seek out your dream jobs and will know which companies and directors you dream of working with.
Once you secure a job, your agent will deal with the ‘business’ side of things. They’ll go over your contract details with the production company and deal with any issues relating to timing, payment, or accommodation for you.
Once a job is completed, most agents will take a percentage of your fee as commission. The amount can vary from agency to agency, but it usually ranges between 10%-15%. Anything higher than this amount may be a bad sign. You should also avoid agencies that charge you a fee before you get a role.
What Are the Different Types of Acting Agencies?
Not all acting agencies are alike. Before you begin your quest to find an agent, it’s important that you understand the various types of agency that are out there. Each type of agency has its merits and its downfalls. Decide which type of agency suits your needs best before narrowing down your options of the best acting agencies to contact.
Top Tier Agencies
Top tier agencies tend to take actors and catapult them to stardom. Of course, this isn’t always the case, but these larger agencies will put you up for the big auditions with internationally renowned production companies.
These agencies have some of the best agents and can be wonderful for some actors, but others may feel that agencies can’t give them the same level of attentive care compared to a boutique.
Boutique Agencies
Boutique agencies tend to be smaller and more personal than larger agencies. If you are looking for an agent who has a small roster of clients, who will have time to focus on the development of your career, but who will still have good connections with excellent casting directors, a boutique agency might be the right choice for you.
Co-operative Agencies
Few actors actually think to explore the potential of signing with a co-op agency. These agencies work in much the same way as other agencies. However, with a co-op, the agency is run by the group of actors instead of being run by a lead talent agent.
When you join a co-op agency, you will need to dedicate a set amount of time each week to work as an ‘agent’ for other members of the agency. A co-op can be a wonderful, supportive community that works well for new actors.
Some of the Top Acting Agencies in the UK
There are dozens and dozens of acting agencies in the country. Here are a few of the best-known and most coveted agencies.
Top Tier Agencies
Conway van Gelder Grant
United Agents
Curtis Brown
Hamilton Hodell
Troika
Independent Talent Group
Markham Froggatt & Irwin
Boutique Agencies
Hatton McEwan Penford
The BWH Agency
Bloomfields Welch Management
The Markham Agency
Co-operative Agencies
NorthOne
City Actors management
Crescent Management
How to Find an Agent
1. Make a Spreadsheet of Agencies You Will Contact
Start by creating a detailed spreadsheet of all of the agents you want to approach about representation. Note that it’s most effective to contact individual agents directly. Most agencies include only a generic email address, so this step can involve some detective work on your part.
The spreadsheet should include :
- The agency name
- The agent’s name
- Contact information
- Notes about the agency or agent
Finding this information can be surprisingly tricky.
The first step is to find suitable agencies and agents. Start by researching your favourite actors and films. Try to find out who represents the people you admire. These agents are good options as they clearly have connections with the companies you want to work with.
A great place to start is IMDb pro. This service will give you detailed information that isn’t always readily available on the internet, including the agent’s email address in some cases.
Another great place to find potential agents is social media. Many acting agencies and agents are quite active on Twitter. Try to follow the agents that interest you. You may find that they post when they are next actively seeking actors.
If you find an agency that interests you, do research on their current roster of clients and the agents who are currently working at the agency. Think about which agent is likely to be interested in you. For instance, if it’s a massive agency and you’re just starting out, you may want to try reaching out to one of the agent assistants instead of one of the agency’s leading agents.
As you fill out your spreadsheet, write down what makes each agency and each agent unique and a good fit for you. Do they represent actors who do a lot of comedy work or theatre work? Do they have a special connection with the BBC? Think about what unique aspects interest you. You’ll use this information later when you write a personalised letter to the agency.
2. Assemble Your Materials
In order to be competitive with other actors, you’ll need to have a few materials ready to go.
Spotlight Membership and CV
Even if you’re brand new to acting, you should consider investing in a Spotlight membership. Spotlight is the main casting portal used by actors, agents, and casting directors across the country. All of the big jobs will be posted on Spotlight.
Having a membership and a Spotlight CV shows the agent that you take the profession seriously and that you’re ‘ready to go’. Use Spotlight as an opportunity to create an online CV. Include the acting work you’ve done professionally or during your training. You can also include your unique skills, such as accents, sports, and so on.
Professional Headshot
Upload a professional headshot to your Spotlight CV. If you don’t have any professional headshots, it’s highly advised that you get some taken. Many agents will immediately disregard your letter if they see you have a low-quality photo.
Showreel
If you’ve done any professional acting work in the past, create a showreel by cutting together your best scenes from commercials, short films, or even student scenes.
If you don’t have a showreel, many agents will be uninterested in your application. However, there is a range of professional showreel companies that will film and edit scenes for you so that you have something to show potential agencies.
If you can’t afford to pay for these services, you can always film a monologue or a self-tape and include this as a sample of your work.
Invitation to Upcoming Show
If you are working on a theatrical production, be sure to include an invitation to the show in your letter. Give details about the time and place of the show, who you are playing, and why you are proud of your work in the production.
Any Other Examples of Your Work
If you have any rave reviews, indie film awards, modelling photos, be sure to include this information in your letter as well.
3. Write a Letter (or Email) Introducing Yourself
The letter you write to each acting agency will be their first impression of you as a professional. It’s crucial that you strike the right tone and capture their interest. Some agencies receive hundreds of emails every day, so, to put it bluntly, your letter needs to be good!
Work on establishing a personal but professional tone. Use good grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. Also, try to keep the letter brief and concise. Unfortunately, if you write a short novella about your career hopes and dreams, most agents won’t have time to read it.
Write a simple subject line that explains the reason for your email. Usually, “Seeking Representation” is perfect.
Begin by introducing yourself. Mention your training and experience in acting. Next, include a link to your Spotlight CV. Mention that they will find your headshot, showreel, and (in some cases) your voice reel on this page.
Follow this with some information about your ideal career path and how they can help you. Talk about the companies and productions you would love to be involved in. You might also mention why you think you are ‘castable’ in these types of productions. This is the section where you’ll personalise the letter for each agent.
If you have an upcoming show, include the details here.
End the letter by expressing an interest to meet and discuss the next steps.
4. Follow Up (In Some Cases)
When it comes to follow up emails, use your discretion about whether it’s appropriate. Most agents will, unfortunately, leave your email unanswered if they aren’t interested. If you are planning on writing follow up emails, it’s usually best to wait a few weeks before sending them off.
Keep your email short and sweet. Express your continued interest in the agency, and wish them well. If you don’t hear back after two emails, it’s best to assume that they aren’t interested.
5. Meet With Potential Agents
Hopefully, you will receive one or two positive replies to your emails. However, if you don’t receive any replies, try not to become disheartened. Acting agencies are highly competitive and it can take hundreds of emails before you receive good news.
If you do manage to secure an initial meeting with an agent, congratulations. Prepare for the meeting like you would prepare for a job interview. Be ready to talk about your career goals and plans. Make a list of questions that you can ask them about what they can do for you.
In the meeting, try to be professional and confident. Also, try to stay relaxed! The agent has already expressed their interest, so just be yourself and enjoy chatting with someone who probably has similar film and theatre tastes to you.
6. Receive an Offer of Representation!
The final step will be receiving an offer of representation. If you manage to make it this far, you deserve to celebrate.
But first, be sure to carefully review the agent’s contract. Check that the commission fee is reasonable and double-check that you won’t be tied down for an extended period of time.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this guide on how to find an agent has given you some insight into the best way to get started. A good agent can be an incredible gateway into the industry. However, don’t despair if you are struggling to find the right fit for you. Continue to pursue acting roles and experiences on your own. Or, if you can, create your own short films and plays. By keeping busy, you’ll keep your acting muscles warm and you’ll accumulate material to show to potential agents in the future.