Discover the Best Acting Agency to Promote Your Talent

Is your dream for a career in drama? Does the desire to act for a living get you out of bed in the mornings? You aren’t alone. There are many aspiring actors and actresses desperate to break into the business at this very moment, many of whom simply do not know where to start. If you fall into that category then it might be time to start looking for an acting agency that can promote your acting talent. Although acting agents will by no means stop you from having to work to fulfil your own acting dream, they can certainly help you on your way to finding a multitude of acting jobs.

Do I need an acting agency?

The vast majority of successful actors are represented by an acting agent. An agent will submit your applications to acting auditions, negotiate any terms of contract with companies that you may work with, and even agree how much you will be paid. This incredibly useful service helps to take some of the strain off an existing, or up and coming, actor or actress, allowing them to concentrate on developing their talent through lessons or courses.

Not all acting agents will successfully sell you to a director, so it is important to find a good one. However, with the right agency at your back, supporting you throughout your career, you can quickly move from a floundering performer, to a rousing success.

Obviously an agency will take a certain commission of your wages. It is important to remember though, that a certain percentage of something is better than 100% of nothing, though it is, of course, important to compare the rates of different agents and agencies to ensure that you are not being taken advantage of. Remember that an agent will make more money as you do; this provides them with excellent motivation to make you a resounding success.

In answer to the question, although it is possible (though difficult) to make it on your own without an acting agent, they will certainly make your life easier and more successful more quickly.

How do I find the best acting agency?

If you are convinced than an acting agent could be just what you need to promote yourself and step into success in the drama industry, then you will need to know how to find the best acting agency.

Perhaps the best way to find a great agent is through a recommendation. If any friends or family members of yours have had a great experience with one agency, this could be a good sign of a great place to start. If you don’t have contact with anyone that can offer such a recommendation then why not search for reviews online.

Another factor in your search is location. Are you prepared to move for your career? Or are you only interested in agents located within London if you live in London? Decide how far you are prepared to travel, and search for agencies within that radius.

What happens next?

Once you have shortlisted some acting agencies that are of interest to you, you will need to attend an interview. An agent will not represent you if you have no acting talent whatsoever as they would only lose time and money in attempting to get you work. Therefore, you will need to prove yourself in order to earn their services. Though this might sound daunting, you should always remember that, once an agent is working for you, they will dedicate themselves to getting you acting jobs.

To maximise your chances of being accepted by your agent of choice, bear in mind the following few tips:

• Never reel off your CV to an acting agent, they have that on paper already and are quite capable of reading it. Instead, concentrate on telling your story to your interviewer. That is, after all, what they are looking for; an individual that can hold their attention through a story.
• Watch other actors and actresses on television, particularly in interview situations, to see their story telling ability. Watch carefully as they don’t simply answer questions, but talk about their life in an engaging and interesting manner.
• Practice your story telling in front of friends or family. Remember that it needs to be dramatic, and to include a beginning, middle and end. You must be prepared for that all important question, ‘Tell me about yourself.’

Rebecca L. Smith is a full time freelance writer based in the UK. She specialises in creating an assortment of articles on a range of different topics of interest.