How Should You Contact a Talent Agency?

Actors and comedians rely on talent agents to find work.

Whether you are a film actor, comedian, or voice actor, the first step in your career is to connect with a talent agency. A talent agent acts as a mediator and advocate between an actor and entertainment industry professionals. Because agents are so critical to the booking process, the first step in an actor's career must be to contact a talent agency to secure artistic representation.

Instructions

1. Identify the person within the agency who handles your area of interest. Never contact a talent agency without a specific name in mind.

2. Prepare your resume and headshot. Ensure that your resume is up to date and printed on high-quality, heavy-stock paper, preferably with a watermark. Paperclip your resume and headshot together -- never staple them.

3. Write a cover letter. Remember that a talent agent may only scan your letter for a few seconds, so be extremely brief. It can be tempting to send a form letter when you are sending your resume to multiple agencies, but do not do it. Form letters can be spotted immediately by experienced talent agents. Personalize each letter, and explain why you would like to be represented by that particular agency.

4. Package and send your resume, headshot and cover letter. Your packaging and preparation should be neat and distinctive, while avoiding cliches like pink paper or a heavily scented envelope, which can be an annoyance.

5. Follow up with the talent agency periodically. Send a brief postcard or note mentioning any recent work you've done. Keep the note personable but professional, and avoid over-familiarity.

References

• Acting Career Start-Up: How to Find a Talent Agent