How to Find an Agent or Manager

In Hollywood, it's simply a fact of life for an actor--you need an agent or manager. Even if they don't do anything for you, you still need one. Now for the record, agents and managers have different functions once you book work, but they also have some similarities. The following steps show you, first, how to get one or the other.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Write a cover letter explaining what your purpose is. Make sure it's brief, no more than just a couple of sentences.

2. Make sure your resume is in good order. The recommended items on your resume would be your name in bold letters and centered, actors' union(s), height, weight, hair color, eye color, contact number(s), film and television credits including role and production company, stage credits including role and theater venue, acting training, dialects and other skills that may not necessarily have to be related to acting.

3. Carefully staple your resume to the back of your headshot. If you don't have a headshot, get one.

4. Do a mass mailing to agents that you feel are appropriate for you. The Samuel French book stores have lists of agents and what they specialize in. They are located in Los Angeles, New York, Toronto and London. In case you live far from those places, then you can also find a list online at www.aftra.com. Many times, agencies will also accept pictures and resumes through email. This is ideal for those with pictures and resumes online.

5. Keep yourself busy doing something. If you sit around and wait for the phone to ring, you'll drive yourself crazy.

Tips & Warnings

• If a manager should call you in for an interview, that's fine. If he asks for a fee up front, run away. It's a scam. The only time an agent or manager gets paid is if you book work. Agents get the standard 10% and managers 15%. However it is appropriate that they ask for as high as 50% assuming they're worth it, but that's rare. This happened to have been the arrangement between Tom Parker and Elvis Presley.