We’re always asked – how can you get accepted to a talent agency?
A talent agency wants the very best, and it will always find the time to take on someone it truly believes in, sees potential in, or of course an actor with proven abilities.
Some agencies focus on working with familiar faces, while others choose to build a career from scratch and give opportunities to discoveries that simply must be on screen.
Quite a few beginning actors approach agencies the wrong way: without filmed materials, without video or natural photos — some even write text alone, driven by a motivation for auditions.
Motivation is important and admirable, but would you invite a professional into your home who has motivation but no skills or experience at all?! The answer seems clear.
Therefore, before rushing to approach talent agencies, it’s recommended to find a way to become professional — to stand out in an on-camera course or with private teachers, shoot student films, and start building a résumé.
I have experience, I studied theatre…
Talent agencies focus on film and television — small, authentic, touching acting, as opposed to the acting method of theatre. If there are actors who know how to make the transition from theatrical to cinematic acting, that’s wonderful.
It’s recommended to send a short self-introduction video, narrative materials, home auditions and a few recent close-up photos — a professional portfolio isn’t mandatory at this stage. There’s no point in sending video from a theatre play.
Looks do matter
Appearance is part of the initial interest, what we call the opening condition for ‘type casting’. We need everyone: slim, full-figured, local or foreign looks, beautiful and average looks — the main thing is that there’s something memorable there, with character, something you can’t help but stop and linger on.
Content is king
In a world saturated with social networks, there’s enormous value in seeing an actor’s potential — whether he’s a comic type able to play characters, an actor with a commercial look for campaigns, or an actor with humor aimed at a young audience who wants to be a teen star, and so on.
Creating online videos is a genuine working tool for every casting director, agent and professional.
Some actors struggle to produce relevant or viral videos on their own, and so it’s worth collaborating with another actor or a professional who shares a common interest.
You might be interested in reading about an influencer agency
