Finding a Talent Agent

Video Transcript

"SCOTT DUPONT: Hi, Scott duPont. I'm the producer of a DVD called "Acting 101." I'm here on behalf of Expert Village, and we're here to talk about agents. Now, I'm very--I have several different agents both here and Orlando. I've got an agent in Tampa; I've got an agent in Chicago, and I'm quite busy. I've got a resume now where I have skills. The agents can actually market me and oftentimes direct book me on jobs. But when you're first starting out, here is the reality and I'm very very good friends with these agents and a lot of agents that don't represent me. I know a lot of them especially in this town. Here is what they told me, time and time again. What they are looking for when you submit your initial head shot and your resume. Okay, they are looking for something on the resume. Okay? That something might be several different acting classes, a bit of training. Okay, you gotta start somewhere. They are also looking for some theater, if you've done some of that. Usually, that doesn't pay, but just some experience or some extra work just to show that you've been on set and you've made that initial commitment. They also look at if you've done a few student films, okay? Once again, they know you weren't paid, but it is a little bit of experience and if you haven't done any of those things, unless it is a unique look that they definitely need, they're probably going to put that headshot in their shredder or just throw it away. I'm being honest with you. So those are few of the little things you need to do before you see an agent is get a decent headshot, take some acting classes and also do a little extra work or maybe some student films and then when you submit to the agent and you get a list of agents anywhere in the country by going productionhub.com. Type in agents, type in your town, or your state and city and they'll pull up all the agents. Now a few quick notes about agents--make sure that the agent you're applying to or submitting to, they're not going to charge you any kind of fee or any kind of registration upfront, okay? Because that it is a no-no. They only take money from you after you book the job. If there are some Screen Actors Guild agents in your area, great! Those are the ones you should submit to first, but there's usually a few nonunion agents that are reputable too in your area. So good luck, and hope you get an agent. If you don't get one initially, keep trying, keep trying, keep trying. Sometimes it just takes a little time. We'll be back in the next segment on behalf of ExpertVillage.com"