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How do I find a talent agent and can I have one at my age 14?
I want to know how to find a talent agent and if I’m old enough to have one.
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Susan Elaine’s Answer
Yes you can, the first thing is to look online at the biggest city near you and Google "talent agents," then see who has open submissions for actors and follow their instructions very carefully. At this age, you or your parents do not pay any fees for anything, photography, classes, nothing... agencies that charge fees are scams. Look on YouTube and Google Images (to find examples) to find out how to do your own headshots and take different pics around your house against a blank wall to find out which has the best lighting so your skin looks rhe best. Open curtains or blinds, close curtains or blinds, turn lamps or ceiling lights on until you find which pic looks great of you. For example a small wall by my bathroom always has best lighting for me and I always look great in that exact spot where I take all my pictures. Wear solid colored clothes, no red, black or white. So then look on google images for headshots and see how to do it, what pose etc, then crop it also to look like headshots in Google. Then send that pic into agencies. Study Actors Academy videos on YouTube and get 1 minute monologue on Google for teenagers also and practice your acting...also speak slow and make pauses in right place. Take theater courses in school and study how to become an Actor videos on YouTube. All this will help you find an Agent eventually...if you work hard at the craft. Being an Actor is just as hard or harder than any business
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Sydney’s Answer
Be very careful, you're young so people might take advantage of you. The upside is that they will also see an enthusiastic young person and might give you an opportunity, but I'd advise caution strongly.
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Joshua !
This will just be my opinion based on observation and the reality of the business. No, you don't "get" an agent, you are chosen by an agent. An agent represents you and obtains work for you for which they get 20% of the salary and then they pay you 80%. Since there are varying guidelines in New Yok City, you may hear that you can only have one agent representing you whereas in other locales you can have more than one agent. You will have to become familiar with the business end first before attempting to seek representation. A trusted adult who can commit to the time and money involved in both joining and paying dues for being in the Union would also be needed.
Unfortunately, this next part is not something I like to say, but you'd have to quit school. If you happen to get a TV series, there will be a teacher on set. One of your parents or a production company adult will be hired to oversee those under 18 on the set. If you obtain representation, you will need transportation to and from auditions and adult accompaniment. An agent will expect you to be available for any work they call you for, even projects that you may not like. You also may not get projects that you audition for. If you are prepared for all of this, then you can think about how you should go about obtaining an agent.
One way that people are offered representation is when agents attend showcases and see talent they really like and know they can get lots of work for. After all, the more work they can get for an actor, the more money they make. There are times when industry notices will call for new faces and ask actors to send their photo, resume and reel to them because they are seeking new talent. You can visit the other agencies and let them know you're seeking an agent and the staff will give you information as to whether or not they accept solicitations from actors.
Another way to obtain an agent is by a friend introducing you to their friend who is an agent and the agent thinks that you're marketable and can obtain work for you. Another way would be to follow the industry and know when group agent auditions are taking place. I am not sure if these are popular anymore but it is when a large number of agents or casting directors (different than casting agents) assemble together to observe actor auditions. I am not sure if this is even done on the East Coast, though. So it's not a matter of "finding" an agent, it would be a matter of being active in the industry and an agent believing that you could get work, for your benefit and theirs'.
Some actors of 14 years of age do have an agent, but their parents are very involved and oversee the career. If you have that, then you can very well start doing the things that will bring you in front of agents. It is a very strong commitment and like I said before, a lot of work will be during the same hours that you're supposed to be in school, so this is something that your parent needs to learn about and approve of and be available for. It does work out when all the pieces fit. There is a family I knew who had three daughters on three major network TV shows, but guess what ? The father was the agent. He was an established agent and was able to get his daughters steady work in television at very young ages.
Review all of the advice you receive and figure out what would be the best thing for you to do now. Continue building acting experience ? Wait till you're 18 when you can do it all on your own ? Finish school and graduate with your High School Diploma? Attend college for a degree for your future ? There's a lot to consider and huge commitments to make as an actor, so think about it and find a way to make your dreams come true.
This will just be my opinion based on observation and the reality of the business. No, you don't "get" an agent, you are chosen by an agent. An agent represents you and obtains work for you for which they get 20% of the salary and then they pay you 80%. Since there are varying guidelines in New Yok City, you may hear that you can only have one agent representing you whereas in other locales you can have more than one agent. You will have to become familiar with the business end first before attempting to seek representation. A trusted adult who can commit to the time and money involved in both joining and paying dues for being in the Union would also be needed.
Unfortunately, this next part is not something I like to say, but you'd have to quit school. If you happen to get a TV series, there will be a teacher on set. One of your parents or a production company adult will be hired to oversee those under 18 on the set. If you obtain representation, you will need transportation to and from auditions and adult accompaniment. An agent will expect you to be available for any work they call you for, even projects that you may not like. You also may not get projects that you audition for. If you are prepared for all of this, then you can think about how you should go about obtaining an agent.
One way that people are offered representation is when agents attend showcases and see talent they really like and know they can get lots of work for. After all, the more work they can get for an actor, the more money they make. There are times when industry notices will call for new faces and ask actors to send their photo, resume and reel to them because they are seeking new talent. You can visit the other agencies and let them know you're seeking an agent and the staff will give you information as to whether or not they accept solicitations from actors.
Another way to obtain an agent is by a friend introducing you to their friend who is an agent and the agent thinks that you're marketable and can obtain work for you. Another way would be to follow the industry and know when group agent auditions are taking place. I am not sure if these are popular anymore but it is when a large number of agents or casting directors (different than casting agents) assemble together to observe actor auditions. I am not sure if this is even done on the East Coast, though. So it's not a matter of "finding" an agent, it would be a matter of being active in the industry and an agent believing that you could get work, for your benefit and theirs'.
Some actors of 14 years of age do have an agent, but their parents are very involved and oversee the career. If you have that, then you can very well start doing the things that will bring you in front of agents. It is a very strong commitment and like I said before, a lot of work will be during the same hours that you're supposed to be in school, so this is something that your parent needs to learn about and approve of and be available for. It does work out when all the pieces fit. There is a family I knew who had three daughters on three major network TV shows, but guess what ? The father was the agent. He was an established agent and was able to get his daughters steady work in television at very young ages.
Review all of the advice you receive and figure out what would be the best thing for you to do now. Continue building acting experience ? Wait till you're 18 when you can do it all on your own ? Finish school and graduate with your High School Diploma? Attend college for a degree for your future ? There's a lot to consider and huge commitments to make as an actor, so think about it and find a way to make your dreams come true.
Steward "Tony" Pacheco
Minister, USMC Vet, John C. Maxwell Cert. Coach, Trainer, Speaker, Teacher, Straight Shooter
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Answers
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Steward "Tony"’s Answer
Have You Asked Yourself The Main Question First? "Do I Have Talent or Do I Have Ego?" "What Talent Do I Have?" "Is My Talent Developed?"
I have worked in production for a few years and have watched many with such ambition and vision of fame & fortune get chewed up and spit out.
The overwhelming "That Wont Happen To Me!" responses could make one a millionaire if a dollar were given for each. I had a cattle-call for a television show I was producing and directing for Salsa/Mambo dancers in the US 20 years ago. The amount of people who lined up, to my surprise reached across the strip mall where I set up. Many 14-year-olds as well were auditioning for this production.
Some came with agents, and some came without, but all came with parents. At 14, your parents/guardian need to be onboarded to your program, as well as recognize your talent and not their egos as well. Agents move talent. No Talent = No Agent! Now some do take retainers which means you pay them, and they do what they can to Mooooove you to cattle calls (Auditions), but pay you will, regardless of income.
At 14, this will be hard work to get noticed and approved. but it all starts with "Do I Have Talent or Do I Have Ego?"
This business is run by adults, and they are only interested in profit so thick skin is what you need. Never ever go against your parent's gut feelings about any work that you do in this business. If they see a red flag in a deal, you better listen to them because nobody will love you like they will, not even fans (You You Ever Get To Have Any). If you sign a contract, make dang shure you have your own lawyer read it and advise you on its language.
Break A Leg Kiddo!
Acting Classes
Dance Classes
Comedy Classes
$$$Professional$$$ Portfolio Headshots (digital & traditional), Video from any production work i.e. School play, Church Performance, Street venue, etc.
Open Casting Calls, Community Theater Work (That includes production work) make friends in the industry.
I have worked in production for a few years and have watched many with such ambition and vision of fame & fortune get chewed up and spit out.
The overwhelming "That Wont Happen To Me!" responses could make one a millionaire if a dollar were given for each. I had a cattle-call for a television show I was producing and directing for Salsa/Mambo dancers in the US 20 years ago. The amount of people who lined up, to my surprise reached across the strip mall where I set up. Many 14-year-olds as well were auditioning for this production.
Some came with agents, and some came without, but all came with parents. At 14, your parents/guardian need to be onboarded to your program, as well as recognize your talent and not their egos as well. Agents move talent. No Talent = No Agent! Now some do take retainers which means you pay them, and they do what they can to Mooooove you to cattle calls (Auditions), but pay you will, regardless of income.
At 14, this will be hard work to get noticed and approved. but it all starts with "Do I Have Talent or Do I Have Ego?"
This business is run by adults, and they are only interested in profit so thick skin is what you need. Never ever go against your parent's gut feelings about any work that you do in this business. If they see a red flag in a deal, you better listen to them because nobody will love you like they will, not even fans (You You Ever Get To Have Any). If you sign a contract, make dang shure you have your own lawyer read it and advise you on its language.
Break A Leg Kiddo!
Steward "Tony" recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Garrett John’s Answer
Hi Josh, I don't mean to discourage you from your search for an agent, its good to know something about their world as you will need them later. But for now do not focus on talent agents, focus 100% on your talent. If you show real talent you don't need to find an agent, they find you. Do you have a story you wish to tell? Hopefully yes, or get a job in a bank, they're an imaginless bunch. Write down a story, make it about something you know - a 14 year old boy goes in search of an agent. There's a story right there. Turn it into a short script, make it funny, make it anything but 'normal', have a twist at the end. Get a few likeminded friends together, a camera (can be a mobile phone cam), edit it, put it into festivals. Hey presto. Youre an auteur (like Tarantino). Keep doing that. You learn each time. Start today. By the time you are 16 there will be a call. It will be your agent. Break a leg.