Do you think you need an agent to get acting work? Well, I’m here to tell you you’re wrong! But how do you get acting work with no agent? I’m here to demystify the process and provide some essential DIY acting career tips.
There are so many ways to find acting work so you’re able to do what you love, build up your CV, and make yourself more appealing to prospective agents in the future.
From open casting calls to self-submission for acting roles, the opportunities are vast for those willing to take a proactive approach.
It’s important to think of these methods as an investment of time and money into your future career.
In this competitive acting business, it’s crucial to learn how to get experience and skills in order to promote yourself to other potential collaborators.
Whether you’re looking for stage experience or screen experience, there are numerous avenues to explore.
So, let’s dive into the numerous ways you can get acting work without representation and kickstart your journey as a self-represented, working actor.
Casting Sites
Casting sites can be a fantastic way to get acting work without an agent. These talent databases for actors and acting job boards can help you book your first jobs to build up your CV and find an agent in the future.
While many of them are paid, it’s helpful to think of them as an investment into your acting career.
The best way I’ve found to use these sites is to make sure you have professional headshots on your page, as well as a showreel or a number of monologues (go for around three).
Then, simply set a time aside every day to check what casting notices and breakdowns have been posted.
Spotlight
Spotlight is potentially the most important of all the casting websites. This is the casting site most big casting directors use to post their castings.
While the majority of castings go straight to agents on here, you may be able to find professional jobs that fit your specific casting. It’s a great platform for self-submission for acting roles.
It’s worth noting that you need to have graduated from drama school or have 3 professional credits to be on Spotlight. Most agents will only represent actors who have a Spotlight account.
I know, it seems like a catch-22, doesn’t it? Don’t worry, you can use the following casting websites to get those first credits and get your Spotlight account up and running.
Mandy
Mandy is one of the best platforms in the UK to get acting work without representation. They have a free section to find unpaid work, or a paid section to find professional work and freelance acting gigs.
There are many different types of jobs posted here, from plays to films to corporate video, to TIE, and even more. While many of the projects can have a small budget, there are plenty that pay very well.
This is one of the best places to search for jobs as a UK actor. An annual subscription to Mandy costs £128.88. This may seem like a lot, but my first ever job I found through Mandy paid over £1,000!
Backstage
Backstage is another fantastic website for casting, and it is now currently being merged with Mandy.
This website often sees big castings from overseas for those wanting to gain experience in the US, as well as Extra opportunities for big films in the UK.
There are also often plenty of opportunities for indie and student films, music videos, corporate work, and commercials.
Backstage has an annual fee of £84.99, with monthly and bi-annual options also available.
Casting Networks
Casting Networks is another site that hosts casting notices from all over the world.
Within the UK, it hosts castings for short films, feature films, and commercials more than any other sort of work.
There are jobs posted regularly here, and you may be able to find postings by big companies appealing to the general public.
The annual subscription fee is £79.90, making it more affordable than both Backstage and Mandy.
Star Now
StarNow is a casting site that hosts a range of projects including short films, commercials, music videos, television shows and more. It’s an excellent platform for finding independent actor opportunities and non-union acting jobs.
Most of the castings posted by big companies are hosted in the US, however, it is worth keeping an eye open for castings here too.
This is a great website for anyone looking to work in commercials or corporate work, and there are often many jobs looking for models and presenters too.
The subscription fee is £7 a month or £20 for 6 months. However, there is a free option that allows you to apply for a limited number of castings, so it can be useful to have a profile just in case something comes up that you want to apply for.
Casting Callback
Casting Callback is one of the newer casting platforms on this list, however, it plans to make big changes to the way casting works.
The most important thing about this website is it’s completely FREE, with no paywalls whatsoever.
The site posts castings for a variety of jobs including theatre tours, short films, feature films, commercials, and more – many for big companies at a high standard.
This website aims to work with casting directors and agents to make casting more accessible to those who may not be able to afford to pay for other casting sites and have plans to grow in the future.
There really is no reason for you not to be on this one!
Shooting People
Shooting People is a site that aims to create a community for those who work in film – particularly independent films.
It’s more than a casting site; it’s an actor networking platform where you can discuss topics with others, attend masterclasses, watch others’ films, pitch scripts, and apply for funding and competitions.
Many of those in the community are filmmakers and will post a bulletin when they are seeking actors for their projects.
While the jobs here are often not very highly paid, it can be a great way to find those first jobs for anyone interested in working in film.
Not only that, but it can help you foster community and connections that run far deeper than a single job, allowing you to network and grow your career alongside others.
Finally, you will be pleased to find it’s only £39.95 for the year or £24.95 for students.
Dramanic
Dramanic is one of the best resources for those hoping to work as actors in theatre and gain valuable stage experience.
While many of the other casting sites have a broad range of castings, with many of them being films, Dramanic has a specific focus on theatre castings – including some from the biggest theatres in the country.
Not only does it post castings for various productions across the UK, including R&Ds, in-house productions, and touring productions, but it also hosts a casting calendar. This displays casting season for all theatres in the UK that have them.
It costs £116.99 for the year, however, it does have a 2-week free trial too. If you want to make your break into theatre, then this is the website for you.
Social Media
One of the best ways of networking and connecting with other creators is through social media.
These platforms serve as excellent actor networking platforms and can be crucial in your actor self-promotion strategies.
Through social media, you can get to know people in the industry, find out what’s casting, and promote your own acting skills and work.
These are some of the best social media platforms that can help you to get acting work without an agent.
Twitter is the main hub on which the theatre, film, and television industries are based. The majority of agents, casting directors, scriptwriters, producers, actors, and directors post about their work on Twitter.
Firstly, this is a great way to get to know how the people you would like to work with operate, think, and feel about certain things. It can be a great way to figure out which people are your kind of people, and who you might like to work with in the future.
It’s also a great way to connect with other creatives by replying to posts, and supporting others’ projects through likes and retweets. Keep an eye open for casting notices on Twitter too. Often open casting calls or indie projects get posted on Twitter.
This is also a great platform for promoting yourself. Here you can post yourself doing monologues for others to see, which is a great way of allowing others to see your talent.
Also, keep an eye out for promo threads, in which people in the industry will encourage people to reply to the post with their details in order to promote themselves as actors.
Twitter, properly used, can be one of your strongest resources as an actor for finding work in the long run.
Facebook Groups
Facebook groups can also be a fantastic way of finding casting opportunities and connecting with other actors and industry professionals.
Often, there will be Facebook groups specifically for actors in certain areas, for example in certain cities or regions. There will often be casting opportunities posted in these for independent films in the area or local theatre.
There are also Facebook groups linked to film schools, universities, or nationwide filmmakers and actors groups. These can also be a great place to find student films or independent productions to take part in.
While these may not pay much, they can be a great place to get those first few credits and build your CV.
When responding to Facebook castings, please make sure to do a background check on those posting. Unfortunately, there are those who will try to scam others, so just make sure that people are who they say they are with a quick internet search of their background/previous work.
Local Castings
You may be surprised at how keeping an eye out for local castings can make a big difference to your career. These independent actor opportunities can be a goldmine for those looking to gain experience and build their network.
When you live in bigger cities such as London and Manchester, you are more likely to hear about local casting opportunities.
However, even if you live somewhere with a smaller arts scene, you may be surprised at how many opportunities there still are.
Often there are local theatre companies or films being produced in your area that you may be surprised to hear about.
Try getting in contact with your local theatre, community center, or village hall and asking if there’s any way to be notified of any opportunities to get involved in any theatre projects.
You never know – even if these projects are at an amateur level, the people you meet on these projects may work professionally too and want you involved in their next project.
Or their best friend may be a top film director looking for new talent. Word of mouth can be a powerful tool in the acting business.
Make sure to keep an eye on local notice boards in places like the post office, shop front windows, and community centers. Casting notices for local productions are often posted through more traditional methods such as these.
Getting involved in your local community of artists can be a big help in your career, as well as making for a fulfilling experience of investing in the place where you live.
Make Your Own Work
A great way to get a job is to give yourself one! This is one of the most effective DIY acting career tips you can follow.
Not only will you develop important skills such as writing, producing, and management skills by making your own work, but it also means you can act in a story close to your own heart.
Making your own work can also be a vehicle to promote your acting skills, add to your CV, and connect with agents and casting directors – all while keeping the output in your own control.
So, why not give it a go? You could try writing a play to perform at a fringe festival or pub theatre. You could write a short film with you as the lead part.
This approach allows you to gain both stage experience and screen experience, depending on your project.
The best thing about this method is that it’s tried and tested. Many actors have launched their careers simply by creating their own work, there’s no reason why that can’t be you too.
Write To Casting Directors Yourself
If you have those first few credits and feel ready to progress your career, but you are not represented by an agent, you can simply represent yourself and build connections with casting directors on your own.
This is a key strategy for acting work without representation.
While you shouldn’t harass casting directors, there is no harm in contacting them to let them know who you are.
Simply contact them, send a link to your online CV, headshots, and showreel, and ask if they will keep you in mind for any roles that you may be suited for.
A great way to contact casting directors is to attend workshops they put on. While they are not allowed to cast actors on the basis of these workshops alone, you can write to them after and tell them how much you enjoyed their workshop and how you would love them to keep you on their books for any roles in the future.
Check out my post on How To Write an Email To A Casting Director to learn more.
Check Out Audrey Hope’s Great Video On Getting An Audition
Audrey Hope has made a fantastic video giving even more advice on how to get auditions without an agent. Check it out if you want to learn more about taking charge of your own career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get into acting without an agent?
Most actors have to work very hard in building their own careers before an agent will sign them. You can do this by attending classes, keeping your eye out for auditions, and networking.
Many actors start their careers self-represented and find success through their own efforts.
Do beginner actors need agents?
No, definitely not. Agents want to represent people they know are reliable and have something of value – but that’s something you have to build up yourself.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways for beginner actors to get acting work without an agent, from open casting calls to online audition submissions.
How do I get my first acting job?
Some of the best ways of getting your first acting jobs are to join casting websites, make friends with student or beginner film directors, or promote yourself on social media. Look for non-union acting jobs and freelance acting gigs to get started.
How do I start an acting career from nothing?
First things first, go to acting class and get some training! To promote your work, you need to have something high-quality to promote.
After that, network, apply to auditions, and keep taking steps forward. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Focus on CV building and gaining both stage and screen experience.
How do I get an agent UK?
Make sure you have something to offer by getting some training, developing some special skills, and getting your first few credits.
Then you can send emails to agents introducing yourself, sending them your details, and seeing if they’d like to meet for coffee.
One of the best ways to find an agent is to invite them to a show you’re in. Some actors even aim for a West End debut to attract top West End agents.
Now you know how to get acting work without an agent…
For beginner actors, getting an agent can feel like the be-all and end-all. As you can see, it’s really not. In fact, learning to work without an agent can be a valuable part of your career plan.
Learning to navigate the acting business as a self-represented actor means that you will always have the skills to move yourself forward no matter what happens.
It’s about taking small steps and maintaining a proactive approach to your career goals.
Not only that, but the more time you put into building your own CV and skill set, the more valuable you will appear to prospective agents in the future.
Remember, becoming a working actor is a journey, and every audition, every role, and every connection you make is a step forward.
Wishing you all the best in your work, and break a leg out there!
