Acting Tip: A Guide to Agents

The following is one of the most requested topics here at the Academy so I hope you find it to be useful.

WHAT IS AN AGENT?
An agent is the middle person between a production company or casting director and an actor. In a perfect world an agent will market you, inform you of auditions, negotiate your rate, collect your money then pay you.
In this same perfect world, an agent would take 10% of what you make in return.

Unfortunately we don’t live in a perfect world. More agents have opened up in Queensland than ever before. The question remains when there is less work around than ever WHY more agents?
The answer I dare say is that despite more information being around there are more people making money form Photographs, Courses, Internet sites etc than they are from getting you work. This means that they have made their money just by having you sign up to their data base.

An honest agent will charge you nothing, as long as you have a professional quality photo and are prepared to invest about $100 in one of the more reputable Internet actor sites such as AT2 or SHOWCAST. These sites are nationally used and are looked at by hundreds of directors and producers, so if you have the right look your chances of getting an audition will be greater.
They make their money back by charging you 10% of what you are paid. If an agent says there is not enough work to survive with just 10% of what you earn, I suggest they aren’t a great agent.

ESPECIALLY if you are training with us, the need to spend a cent on a course with an agent is silly, and any agent suggesting you do so is not making a great first impression. After all if Tom McSweeney, Australia’s Top casting Director, recommends kids train with us, an agent would be hard pressed to say otherwise.

WHEN DO I NEED ONE?
This is the big question. And no simple answer. Let’s break down the type of work available and see if we can make this clearer.

Extra Work
Anyone who has a pulse can do this
TV commercials-Non speaking
If you’re a big personality, confident and can take risks in front of the camera. Often the ability to be cheeky is and advantage
TV commercials - Speaking
As above but some ability to act. Remember lines and think quickly.
One liners
This is the first step up the acting ladder and often very hard. An ability to be truthful in acting. Also an incredible patience and a strong ability to take direction.
Small Speaking
As above, but more confident with own ability.
Guest roles
As above but extreme confidence and a solid acting ability.
Lead Roles
All of the above

So the only other thing to remember is YOU ONLY MAKE 1 FIRST IMPRESSION. No point having an agent if they do their job and get you an audition and then you make a terrible first impression. If you ask your teaching artists then they will let you know when you are ready. In the mean time be patient and you won’t rush in and maybe waste money or make a mistake.

HOW DO I FIND ONE?
Yellow Pages. Simple I know but if you go there you will see how many there are. How do you find a GOOD one, that is more difficult.
Use this checklist, if they tick off more than half they aren’t too bad, if they get all the ticks they are great.

GOOD AGENT CHECKILIST
Is professional in appearance, polite and seems to care about you.
Only takes 10% commission. (Most, if not all agents take more for TV commercials, according to the MEAA (union) they shouldn’t but most do)
Doesn’t charge for Photos
Doesn’t require you to do any courses.
Doesn’t have 1000 + people on their books.
Collects all moneys paid into a TRUST and pays you within 7 days of them receiving the money.
It should be mentioned the other place to find an agent is by :
a) doing well in the screen casting workshop. For all students who receive a B or higher we will personally organise you a meeting with an agent if you would like us to.
b) Becoming a member of the extension stream, and doing well in class.

WHO TO BE CAUTIOUS OF:
Finally this industry is made on dreams. Some people will tell you whatever you want to hear if you pay them enough. If it sounds dodgy it probably is. Send me an email and I will tell you if I have at least heard of them.