- The entertainment business is extremely competitive. Breaking in often has more to do with who you know than how talented you may be. The job of a talent agent is to find job offers for his clients and then develop agreements as to how much the clients will be paid for services. The agent wants his clients to earn as much as possible because he is compensated with a percentage of those fees. Having an agent represent you is clearly an advantage. He will be aware of jobs for which you are suited, and his connections will increase your status. Many agents are well-known, and casting directors take their opinions regarding talent seriously. Do you absolutely need an agent to get started in the acting world? No. You can seek acting opportunities on your own in the beginning and hopefully attract the attention of an agent later on.
- Before you go out into the big acting world, make sure you have some quality acting material stored in your cranium. Choose a monologue from a famous play and rehearse it on your own. If you are interested in musical theater, prepare a song from a well-known show. Be able to sing it a capella and with accompaniment. When you enter an audition, you may be given material to read, but you may also need to show something of your own. Great preparation impresses casting directors, so don't leave home without it.
- Most cities have community theater companies that put on musicals and plays. They often advertise audition dates for their productions in local papers or on their websites. Don't expect to be paid for these gigs. You are trying to gain experience and build a resume.
- Design your resume to showcase the shows in which you've appeared and the roles you've played. If a noted actor or director was involved, include his name, as it may give you extra clout. State your special talents. Singing and dancing are the obvious ones, but others may be useful. Experience riding horses, practicing martial arts or juggling could be useful to those casting commercials and other productions. Your resume must be accompanied by a "head shot," which is a black and white 8-by-10-inch close-up photo of yourself. Many photographers specialize in actors' head shots and know exactly the kind of photo you need. Promote yourself further by building a website dedicated to your acting work. Include photos of you in different productions, and if possible, add audio and video clips showing off your talents. Be sure to include your website address on your resume.
- Resume and head shot ready, you can begin soliciting agents for representation. Central Casting is one of the biggest agencies with connections to film, theater and television. Backstage Magazine lists audition opportunities in print and online. The Ross Reports magazine also lists acting opportunities for all media.
