In the world of acting, figuring out how to get a talent agent is one of the first steps to take in order to start making it big on the screen.
Why? Because a talent agent is the person that connects you with potential jobs. They’re the one who helps you to build connections and network with the big names in the industry.
And, they’re the one who can find roles that would be a good fit for your look, skills, and niche.
With all that said, what do you need to do exactly to get connected with a good talent agent? We’re here to walk you through how to get a talent agent and how to make sure it’s a good one.
How to Submit Yourself to a Talent Agency
Once you’ve identified which talent agency you want to submit yourself to, you’ve got a little bit more work ahead of you.
You’ll first need to make sure that you’ve got a solid headshot and a professional, clean resume. If you don’t have these things, you’re going to need to make sure you gather them before you submit yourself.
Remember – your headshot should be recent and your resume should include only details that are going to help sell yourself. If you’re submitting to a talent agency, no need to include that time you worked at Starbucks on there.
Now that your materials are gathered, you’ll want to take a look at the agency’s submission instructions. Some agencies ask you to mail materials in while others will request an online submission. Still others will ask you to come in person.
It’s extremely important to remember never to do something that isn’t on the policy. Don’t visit, call, or email if the submission guidelines don’t ask you to. That can leave the impression that you didn’t read through their site and can decrease your chances of getting a callback.
Another good idea is to see if you can locate the address of the agency. Inviting them to an upcoming screening or modeling event gives you a chance to show off your skills in person.
After this, you’re ready to go ahead and submit your paperwork. Send in your materials via their requested communications avenue along with a cover letter.
Similar to a cover letter for business, you’ll want to tailor your cover letter to the specific agency you are applying to. This is an opportunity for you to sell yourself and impress them so that they want to sign you!
What to Wear to a Talent Agency Interview
If you’re lucky, your submission will be met with a request for an interview. If you made it to this stage, congratulations!
Now it’s time for you to get ready to head to your interview. Of course, you’re going to want to dress to impress.
The only thing is, what is going to be considered impressive at a talent agency? If you’re supposed to wear business casual to other interviews, wouldn’t that make sense to wear at this interview as well?
As it happens, that’s not the case at all. What you want to wear to a talent agency interview is going to depend largely on your headshot.
Typically, you’ll want to make sure that you wear either the same outfit or something similar to what you wore in your headshot. Why? Because your headshot impressed the talent agency, sticking with a tried and true outfit can serve you well.
Another good rule of thumb is to try to match your attire to the role that you’re wanting to play without making it costumey.
You’ll want something that compliments your body and hints at the role without screaming it in the agency’s face.
It’s also important to maintain professional length clothing. While the outfit you choose should definitely complement your features, it shouldn’t be too tight or too revealing, either.
What to Expect at a Talent Agency Audition
The first thing to know about a talent agency interview is that this is better looked at as an audition.
While you may not be asked to read a script, the talent agency is still seeing how your general personality and vibe will fit in with their crew. It’s going to be important for you to match their energy and their wavelength.
Once you’re comfortable knowing that this is an acting audition in and of itself, it’s important to remember to be prepared for anything.
You may be asked to read a script for a role that you’re totally unfamiliar with or you may be left waiting for hours until your talent agent shows up. Either way, it’s key to remain open-minded and flexible.
You’re also going to want to have relevant and recent educational references that you can share with the talent agency. Talent agencies like to know that you’re continuously improving your skills. Showing up with no recent classwork won’t serve you well.
And, don’t forget to ask questions!
One of the biggest mistakes people make, whether in a job interview or a talent agency audition, is not asking questions.
Asking questions lets your potential employer know that you’re interested in the position. It also shows them that you’ve done your research on who they are and are curious about learning more.
Tips for Meeting with a Talent Agent
The talent agent that you’re assigned is going to be your lifeline into the film industry.
That makes your first meeting with them incredibly important. To help ensure that you’re successful, there are a few key guidelines that can help make things simpler.
1. Keep it Conversational
One of the biggest mistakes actors tend to make when meeting a talent agent is to behave they would in a typical job interview.
Once you’re in front of a talent agent, the key is to keep things conversational and lighthearted. You’re there for them to get a chance to know who you really are, not to hear more about what’s on your resume.
On top of that, if you’re able to steer the conversation away from acting and onto other topics, you can get a better sense of who the agent is and how your dynamic would be working together.
Remember, you’re interviewing them too. It’s just as important for you to feel comfortable with them as it is for them to feel that you’re a great fit for their representation.
2. Review Your Acting Education
You paid good money for acting classes, a college degree, or other accreditation in the world of acting. Don’t let it go to waste!
If you have recent classwork on your resume there’s a good chance that your talent agent is going to ask you about it. And, they may ask you about coursework that you took quite a while ago.
No matter when you took your coursework, if you completed it and listed it on your resume, your best bet is going to be to go back and review your credits.
That way, you’re prepared for any questions that a talent agent might ask you. It’s better to spend too much time preparing than to go in blindsided and not be able to answer!
3. Practice Your Most-Feared Questions
How many times have you gone into a job interview and been asked a question that you were totally unprepared for? If you’re like the majority of the population, the answer is going to be a lot.
Before you head into a meeting with a talent agent, think about which questions you don’t want them to ask.
Once you’ve identified a few common questions that you feel you might struggle with, go over those particular questions on your own. Write down answers that would serve as good responses.
By preparing your answers ahead of time, you give your brain time to come up with responses to tougher questions without causing stress at the moment.
4. Identify Interesting Facts About Yourself
Another issue that many would-be actors face is not being able to talk in enough detail about themselves or their work.
While you don’t want to talk about yourself too much, you definitely want to be able to provide interesting and relevant details when asked a question.
Think about the credits and experiences that you’ve had and try to pinpoint one or two things that particularly stood out about those experiences. Then, make a mental note of those to bring up in conversation.
It can also help to think of a few soft skills that might make you stand out from the crowd or give you a connection to the talent agent you’re speaking with.
5. Understand Your Industry
Imagine if someone walked into a job interview at a McDonald’s and knew absolutely nothing about fast food. They would be laughed right out the front door!
The same goes for acting. When you go to meet with a talent agent, you need to make sure you’ve done your research on the industry.
Everyone has weak spots and areas of improvement, but you shouldn’t be going into an interview seeing this as your chance to learn everything on the fly.
Make sure that you already have a strong understanding of how to take headshots, how to make connections and network, and which classes will be best for your niche.
While agents may be willing to provide tips and suggestions, they certainly don’t want to do this all the time. They’re there to represent you on the path to success, not to coach you.
6. Follow Up
After your meeting with your talent agent, don’t forget to follow up!
While you certainly don’t want to be bombarding them with emails, talent agents are busy people. It’s okay to reach out to them to get an update or to see how things are going on their end.
This is especially true after they sign you. There may be weeks where you seem to constantly be emailing back and forth while others have you left scratching your head wondering where they went.
Either way, keeping strong communication with your agent is going to be key to developing a strong and functional working relationship.
Land the Best Talent Agency in the Industry
Ready to get started taking your acting career to the next level? It’s time to find a talent agency that really takes care of you and supports you.
You deserve to work with a talent agency that you know will have your back right from the get-go. Stop struggling with how to get a talent agent, and partner with a team that really cares about helping you out.
At Hunter Talent, we care about helping models and actors kickstart their careers and we care about helping you do the same. Give us a call to see how we can take your career to the next level.
