How to Get An Agent
NOT A REAL ESTATE AGENT, A SHOW BIZ AGENT!!!
DUHHHHHHHHHHH!
This great director, once an actor, SYDNEY
POLLACK, played Dustin's agent in TOOTSIE
BUT YOU NOTICED, TOOTSIE GOT HIS OWN JOB!
For every path that the “experts” say is the best way to land an agent, there are probably 5 other ways to land representation. There really is no clear, verified way to get an agent, whether you are an actor, a dancer, a musician…whatever art form you are into. It is incredibly difficult to get an agents attention, much less getting them to sign you up. And unless you have a ton of money, or can create THESPIAN ART without the need for a paying audience, then this can be time consuming BUT…it is a road that you need to travel, or paying work will be negligible, if you get any at all. You have tokiss 100 frogs to get a Prince, get up to bat 100 times to sink one into the outfield.
So here are a few ideas that I think you can use that might help. Now, I am going to qualify what I am about to say. I am an actor living here in L.A. So these tips will be geared towards actors…although, these ideas can be used across the realm of artists.
1. Casting Director Workshops
Here in Hollywood, as well as in New York, there is a meeting place that actors can meet casting directors and sometimes agents. They are called “casting workshops”. The students pay the BOSS GUY 40$ or so. They aren't giving away their time. Their “schools” will charge you a fee for said workshop. This school most likely has been doing this for some time, and will have a schedule of the different casting directors and agents which have agreed to ATTEND that workshop. In this workshop, the host will have a scene from a film or play that you and a partner will work on for 15-20 minutes and then go back in and read for this person. If you are really good, or if you have a look they need, then they will call you in for an interview. Hopefully, they will like you enough so that they will offer you a “Hip Pocket” deal. This means that they will test you out for 3-6 months and see how you do in the real world. A word of caution: Many people find this practice reprehensible. They ask “Why do I have to pay money for an agent to see me? This is a scam”. Well, it’s a valid question… one that every single actor/actress needs to answer themselves. But for me, I look at it this way. If you were in business, and you needed to meet new potential clients, wouldn’t you go and try and take them to lunch? Lunch for two at a decent restaurant is 40$. If you look at your career as a business, and the product you are selling is “You”… then $40 to meet an agent is about par. IMHO
2. Get into a Theater Play
There are literally over 100 stage theaters here in L.A. and they all are looking for actors to cast in their shows. Subscribe to Back Stage, or any other publication in your field and look for auditions. The go and audition for a role that is right for you. If you are good enough and trained enough then odds are, sooner or later you will get cast. This is really great when it happens. Before the show opens up, do mailings of your picture to all of the agents and casting directors and invite them to your show to see your work. Ask them to phone you so you can mail or courier them two tickets for a night that is convenient for them. Give them a choice of night. (Ask your astrologer for dates when MOON is conjunct JUPITER, trine Uranus or Mars! Free service btw) If agents and casting people come often enough, the casting directors and agents (who by now have your PHOTO and on back, your DATA, who even know your name and acting range --and who have seen that you are quirkier than Walken, chestier than Raquel...) they will remember you and have you up for a real casting call.
3. Make a Short Film and Cast Yourself in it.
This is rapidly becoming the best way to get an agent. As they say… “When in Rome…do as the Romans do”. This is a film/TV town. 80% of the world's theatrical product is made here. So if you make your own work, either in film and or theater, your odds of being seen go up drastically! And let me tell you something. The cost of making a short film now is pennies…compared to producing your own play. Hell…you can make a short film on your cell phone, and it will look great. And when you make your film and its done…get it into film festivals. This is the single BEST way to get an agent. If this film has any buzz to it and it garners some awards, then milk that. Send out copies of your film to different agents for their review. "X FILM WON AT SAUSALITO FILM FESTIVAL." This might help you advance further than any of the traditional methods.
4. Make Cold Calls
So back to this being a business. If you were in business, and if you had a realistic view on how to get new clients, you would know that you need to make “Cold Calls”. Yes, that dreaded word…cold calling. It’s a very tough thing to do. Picking up the phone and calling someone you don’t know to ask if they would set up a meeting with you is one of the hardest things you will ever do. But you gotta do it. You will be surprised on how easy it will become, the more you practice doing it. Just pick up the phone and start making calls to these folks and ask “politely and nicely” if they would consider taking a meeting with you to discuss them possibly representing you. Yes… it’s a long shot. But if you have nothing else, you have a phone and you have the will and desire to succeed.
5. Acting Classes
When you enroll in an acting class, you are practicing your craft. You are growing as an actor and you are meeting kindred spirits in your chosen field. A side benefit is that you will most likely meet other actors/actresses, as well as work with them in class. Over time, you may become friends with them. And if you become good enough friends, who knows? Maybe one of them will make the introduction for you with their agent. This happens ALL THE TIME out here. Actors always help other actors.
6. TALK to CELEBRITIES AT THE HEALTHFOOD STORE, CAFES AND FILM SCHOOLS
You're in WHOLE FOODS. Dustin Hoffman is looking at cheese? Sidle up. "The aged cheddar has way more flavor than the non-aged. Kinda like ACTORS." When he laughs.....start the real conversation. Cafes, shops and classrooms are where you meet the big people. Writer's Guild has regular lectures by celebs. Then there's SHERWOOD OAKS FILM SCHOOL, a really good one. So good they can get any big writer/ director/ agent to come lecture, free. Guy who wrote INDIAN TRIBE movie sidled up to Costner. Google that meeting.
So these are 6 ideas that I hope will help you in your journey. But as I said in the beginning…there is no set way to get an agent to sign you. There are many roads that lead to Rome. It is really up to you and how much gumption you have to get there.
About The Author: John Montana is an actor living with his wife in L.A. and has begun to make short films and show them at festivals so he's a real ARTIE SMARTIE.
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