Getting an agent can sometimes feel like the be-all and end-all when becoming an actor. After all, they’re the people that get you in the room with those top casting directors for the shows it’s your dream to be a part of.

However, it’s not quite as rosy as all that. It can be tempting to sign with an agent as soon as possible, and go with the first one that offers you representation. This may not actually be the best decision though, and it could end up holding you back in your career.

So, to clear things up, I’m here to tell you why you don’t need to rush into getting an agent and how to go about things in a way that actually helps you out.

Look Out For Scams

First things first, look out for scams. There are some agents that are simply there to make money of you in any way they can, and this includes having a sign-up fee. If an agent makes you pay to be represented by them, then why should they submit you for roles – they’ve already earned their money! This is considered unethical practice and should be avoided.

Secondly, keep an eye out for high rates of commission. Agents generally take 10-15% commission on any project an actor does. Anyone who charges higher than this may not be your best choice of agent.

The Personal Manager’s Association is a great place to check out some reputable agents that are considered to hold the best in industry standards. If they are not part of the PMA, it might be worth trying to figure out why.

The Agent-Actor Partnership

There is sometimes an idea that the agent is in charge of the actor’s career, or that the agent works for the actor. In fact, it is better to think of this relationship as an equal partnership. You should be working together in order to get you where you want to be. You want to be working, and your agent wants you to be working – they only get paid if you do! Also, they should believe in you as an actor, seeing as they’ve decided to represent you.

This is why it’s important to find an agent you actually get along with. Do you see eye to eye? Do you have the same ideas about how things should be done? Maybe they put you at ease or push you to be your best self? It’s really important to find an agent that’s “your kind of person”. Often, you can’t tell if this is the case until you meet them and you end up clicking – a bit like the feeling you get on a first date.

So, the best thing you can do is to get out there are start meeting agents. Even if they don’t have room for you right now, at least you will know whether you’re suited to each other or not.

And remember, if you don’t click, then don’t sign! You don’t want to be stuck in a contractual relationship with someone years down the line that you didn’t really like from the off.

Start Meeting Casting Directors Yourself

You don’t need to wait for an agent to sign you before you introduce yourself to casting directors. You can head to paid workshops to understand how CDs run their auditions, or you can simply write them a short email introducing yourself so they can keep you on their books.

This is a great idea as it shows you are proactive, gives you opportunities to work, and are contacts you can make and bring along to your next agent meeting to give yourself some extra value.

Check out my handy guide if you want to learn How To Write An Email To A Casting Director.

You Don’t Need An Agent To Start Working

Having an agent can get you in the room with casting directors you may not normally get the chance to be seen by. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t build up your experience and CV until you have an agent.

Signing up to casting sites like Mandy, Backstage, Shooting People, and Casting Networks can help you find those first few jobs. There is a fee to join for paid work, but this can pay for itself depending on how much you get cast. It can also be considered an investment in your future career.

It is also worth keeping an eye on Twitter and Facebook groups for any casting calls on there. Often low-budget and student projects are cast on these platforms, but occasionally professional work is too. Just make sure to research the person who has made the post before you apply so you know they are trustworthy.

I know someone who got cast in a lead role in a top BBC production due to a Twitter casting call. They then went on to win awards for that role. It just goes to show, an agent can make your job easier, but you do not necessarily need them to do your job.

Slow And Steady Wins The Race

This is what all the other advice in the article has been leading to. You cannot get to the top without working your way there. So, yes, an agent may be able to use their contacts to get you auditions. However, if you end up signing with an agent that isn’t right for you simply because you’re in a rush to get one, it could hold you back in the long run.

How signing with the wrong agent can hold you back

• They could over-submit you. If an agent submits their client too much to the same casting director or for projects that you’re inappropriate for, this could make the CD feel that this agent is untrustworthy, doesn’t know what they’re doing or doesn’t know you very well. This can create a bad first impression. Make sure any agent you meet has an actual interest in you and what you want from your career.
• They could have too many people like you on their books. If you sign with someone who is submitting multiple people for a certain role they are increasing your competition. They may not care about your career and what you want, they care about getting paid.
• You can get stuck in a contract. If your agent relationship is not working out, sometimes you will not be able to leave them and go and sign with someone else due to having signed a contract. That is why it’s so important to have a positive feeling about the relationship before you sign.
• You could end up getting submitted for things you don’t want to do. It’s always important to be clear with your agent about the work you want to do. However, if they aren’t invested in you and your goals, they could end up submitting you for things you don’t want. This is a waste of everyone’s time, and can leave you feeling pressured and/or disrespected.
• You could end up wasting time. If your agent is not invested in you and your career, they could end up submitting you for things you don’t suit or just not making many submissions. All that time you could have spent building your own career, you’ve sat around wondering when the phone will ring. Then, when your contract comes to an end and you’re ready to move on, you’ve got nothing to show from your time with that agent.

How signing with the right agent can be AMAZING

• You feel heard and respected. A good agent will take your opinions, needs, and goals into account. These agents will like and respect you and your work and will believe in you as an artist. They are willing to work with you to get you where you want to go, and they will believe that you have what it takes to get cast.
• They tell you what you need to do to get better. Many agents will give you self-tape feedback, encourage you to add specific skills or accents to your CV, and direct you to classes and workshops. These agents will help you to build yourself as a performer and make you more castable overall.
• It feels like a two-way street. You can trust them to be working hard and getting your name out there on your behalf. However, they can also let you know what you can be doing to get your own name out there too. You’re not left in the dark, but you know what steps you need to take in order to be proactive and work together as a team.
• You click. You see things the same way. You have the same ideas about how things should be done. Sometimes, it can be tough to work together with someone who has an entirely different world view than you do. However, if your agent and you have a shared ethos about the work and the industry, as well as a similar attitude to life, it can make the working relationship a billion times more comfortable.

This Is How To Find The Right Agent For You

As you can see, it’s often better to have no agent at all than to sign with the wrong one. However, finding the right agent can make your career far more joyous and productive. But how do you get there?

Well, you have to offer them the same value as they can offer you. This is why it can be really useful to build up your CV and experience before submitting to agents, even if it means going it alone for a while. Here are some of the top ways to do that.

• Get some experience and credits. Use the abovementioned techniques to get some experience, ideally in both theatre and film. This will help you develop your skills, give you confidence and give potential agents confidence in you. If you can prove that people want to cast you, that will make you appear more desirable. If you get 3 paid acting jobs, you can join Spotlight, which is a big bonus for agents.
• Figure out what you want to do. Do you want to do theatre? Film? What kind? Is there anything you won’t do? Narrowing this down will help you to find an agent that has the kind of contacts you’re looking for.
• Take some classes. Ensuring you’re constantly improving your skills is a sign of reliability and professionalism to an agent. So, keep in regular classes, whether it be film acting, script work, or private coaching. If you can develop specific skills that will help you get the work you want to go for, that will work in your favor immensely.
• Learn some accents. Accents can be a big part of increasing your acting range and a draw on your CV. So, learn some for characters that are in your casting range. They say it takes six weeks for an accent to start sounding natural. So pick 4-5 accents, practice them for six weeks each and you will have a number of new character’s you’ll be able to play.
• Learn some skills. This might be one of the most important points on the list. Skills set you apart from other actors and allow you to be submitted for specific roles. So, learn an instrument, a sport, or any sort of skill that may come in handy such as horse riding or puppeteering. This can make all the difference when getting signed and give you an edge over other actors of your typecast.
• Get some good headshots. Headshots are often the first thing an agent sees. So, get some good ones that capture your look accurately and draw people in. An unforgettable headshot makes for an unforgettable actor.
• Get a showreel. AGENTS NEED TO SEE YOU ACT. Yes, it’s that important it’s in bold! Often, if you don’t have a showreel, agents will just delete your email because if they can’t see you act, there’s nowhere for them to go. They can’t form an opinion of you. Whether you do student films, pay for an original showreel to be made for you, or just film self-tapes in your home, make sure they can see you act.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do actors really need an agent?

When you get further along in your career, an agent can be a crucial asset in making your career work for you. However, getting an agent definitely doesn’t need to be the top of your priorities when you’re just starting out.

Is it worth getting an agent?

A good agent can be an absolute dream to work with and can really help you progress your career. However, signing with an agent who you don’t see eye to eye with, or who doesn’t value you or your work is never worth it.

How hard is it for an actor to get an agent?

It can be hard for an actor to get an agent, especially if you don’t have much experience yet. In fact, often you need to beware of agents that seem overeager to sign you when you don’t have much to offer them yet. This can indicate some sort of scam.

What famous actors don’t have agents?

Kevin Costner and Sharon Stone both went without agents. Leonardo Dicapario only works with his personal manager, and Winona Ryder spent a portion of her career unrepresented too.

Why is it so hard to get an agent?

The reason it’s so hard to get an agent is because of the high level of competition. The actor-to-agent ratio is massively out-of-whack. However, the good news? A certain percentage of these actors apply to agents whilst unprepared, inexperienced, and are often completely ignored. So, all you need to do is make sure you have professional materials at the ready, get some experience and training, and you will already be setting yourself apart from the crowd.

Why you don’t need to worry about getting an agent…

As you can see, there are so many ways you can get work without an agent. In fact, being with the wrong agent can make things harder for you in the long run. So, don’t rush into it! Take your time and eventually, the right representation will come along. As always, work hard, advocate for yourself, and don’t give up.

Thank you so much for reading, I hope you’ve found this helpful! All the best of luck and break a leg out there.