How to Find Acting Agents for Film and TV
The right agent is arguably the number one most important deciding factor in an actor’s growth and career trajectory. They will open the door to the opportunities, auditions, and roles that really get your career going! (And keep it rolling on after the initial success, too.)
Signing with that agent is a key step in any actor’s career development. But finding the right agent can be like finding the right romantic partner. That is to say: not every agent is going to be right or compatible. So how do you find the right agent for you? It all starts with research. In this article we’re diving into practical methods for researching agents to approach, with an eye towards finding your perfect match!
Why You Should Research Acting Agents Before Applying
Let’s establish this at the start: the entertainment industry can feel a bit like the Wild West at times. It’s a harsh truth that not all agents are created equal. In an industry that requires no formal qualifications to begin working as an agent or create an agency, it can be a big risk to not do your due diligence. Ideally, you will want to sign with an agency whose clients are booking work. Some agents simply don’t have the skills, networks, or reputation to get you the opportunities you hope they will. The research process will help you find clues that guide your decision making.
In today’s industry, proven track records hold weight. Agents are running their business and have a right to be selective. But remember, so do you. Narrow your focus towards agents who have clients who are actively working. Especially ones who are working in your target tier and on your target shows!
The right research approach will help you discover and approach the agencies whose clients are getting work that are aligned with your goals. By doing this work, you’re setting yourself up for success from the start.
Best Tools for Researching Acting Agents Effectively
Now we’ve got it straight that research is important, let’s move onto the next pressing issue. How exactly should you go about it? Well, in today’s world, most of your research is going to take place online. But, we’ll also be relying on some good old word-of-mouth. Because, let’s face it, there are some things you just can’t Google (or ChatGPT)!
How to Use IMDbPro to Find the Right Acting Agent
Your secret weapon in the agency research process is going to be a membership to IMDbPro. We’ve got a whole other article you can read to discover Why IMDbPro is Worth It for Actors. The good news is that accessing IMDbPro is pretty simple. If you’ve never used it before, you may even be eligible for a free trial through your Prime Account! Otherwise, one month of paid access should be enough for all your research needs.
IMDbPro will give you full information about cast and crew details of productions, including casting directors, actors, and their agents. You can even get agents’ direct contact details through IMDbPro. Now that is worth its weight in gold!
The key features we love about IMDbPro during the agent search are:
- Access to professional level research of agent rosters
- Information about agency clients’ recent bookings
- Full disclosure of the agents representing actors on your target productions
Let’s do a case study about how this might work, shall we? Let’s say I know that Bridgerton Season 5 is soon filming in my market, and I want to get minor role in the production. I can use IMDbPro to find agencies who have clients who are doing that very thing!
Firstly, I’d go to the most recent season of the show, in this case Season 4. I’d look at the episode list and go through each episode, looking for actors credited towards the bottom of the list. When I check out their profile, I can see the number of episodes they’ve been in. If they’ve only been in 1-2 episodes, I’m in business!
Then, I can look at their agent information and add those details to my list for further research. This is a great way to find agencies whose clients are already booking work, and have those relationships with the Casting Directors working on my target productions.
How to Evaluate Acting Agents: Key Questions to Ask
There are a few different ways to analyse an agent’s roster. Who’s on their books? Be realistic here: where are you in your career? If you’re a mid-level or early career actor, that’s what you’d be hoping to see some of on the books! Not necessarily A-Listers like Zendaya or Paul Mescal (as nice as that would be.) Some questions to keep in mind as you research are:
- Is the agency a good fit for you?
- Do they already have someone like you?
- Do any of their clients have career trajectories you admire?
- Are their clients working?
You can look at their clients’ CVs to see the type of work they’re doing and at what level, to determine whether it’s a good fit. If you love musical theatre and specialise in it, but the agency has no active musical theatre clients, it’s probably not a match!
Also consider if there are clients on their books similar to your age, type or vibe, or ethnicity. Ideally you will want to find agencies who don’t have too many other actors who look like you on the roster. This can create competition within the agency. Likewise, avoid agencies that have too many clients of your casting type or vibe! Also remember that sometimes agencies are particularly looking to represent diverse talent, so if this is you, that’s a win.
Real-World Example: Researching Agents
Let’s keep using the same example from before, shall we? Here’s a snapshot of some of the current client list at our Bridgerton S4 agency.
Scrolling through their client list, I can see quite a lot of blonde, fair skin young women with a similar typecasting. If I were also of that typecasting, I might think twice about what we can offer each other. As it stands, I didn’t see too many clients with my casting and look, so I could feel confident about approaching and sending my materials!
You should check client lists on the agency website and IMDbPro. Are the actors working consistently now? Prioritise agencies with active bookings. If the other clients aren’t booking it is not likely you will. Look for momentum. Actively search for agencies who have actors who are on the boil. To clarify, you’re looking for agents with those performers who are rising stars, who are consistently auditioning and booking! It’s all well and good to look at new agencies or those with a lot of developmental clients, but do you really want to wait 4 years for the agency to get hot?
Other Effective Agent Research Methods
The other online research method I can use is by digging into the agency website and finding out more information. The agency website is also a great place to find what their recent wins have been, usually on a ‘News’ tab, and to learn more about their track record and successes.
Another great way to find agents to add to your list is to talk to other industry professionals and your actor peers, relying on word of mouth to discover agents and to get a feel for their way of working!
Where to Start Your Acting Agent Research
So you know what, and how to research. Now, for the next hurdle. Where do I even begin to build a list?! It can certainly feel overwhelming, with so many agents out there and a seemingly endless list of possibilities.
However, there are a couple of specific places you can look to start building that list. For example, right here on StageMilk we have industry guides like Acting Agents in New York. Along with, of course, other cities like Toronto Agents, London Agents, Sydney Agents, and plenty more! Just give the search bar a little workout and you’ll be sure to have a solid starting place.
How to Build a Targeted List of Acting Agencies
Some other places that you can look include the lists compiled by your union or local accreditation associations.
US: SAG-AFTRA Franchised Agents List (search by location)
Affiliated Managers List, if you’re considering managers too.
Canada: EIC Talent Agents via ACTRA
UK: Personal Managers Association (PMA)
Other places to find agencies to approach include actors’ social media. If you identify an actor whose career trajectory is one or two steps ahead of yours and look them up on socials, they will often have their representation information in their bio or tagged in any announcement posts!
Also consider looking at bigger agents’ assistants. For instance, LinkedIn or other social media can help you find the agents’ assistants. These assistants are often building starter lists and developmental clients of their own, and they’re hungry for new talent!
As you start diving into it, you’ll get familiar with the major agencies in your market (e.g., LA: CESD, Hyperion; NYC: Paradigm, Avalon; bi-coastal: Abrams, Buchwald, Innovative.) While you’re on the agent hunt you should be like Rain Man for agents. You should be able to rattle off at least 5 agencies who you would be stoked to sign with, and the agents you’d love to partner with in that agency.
How to Learn the Real Reputation of Acting Agents
Reputation matters in this industry, so make sure you talk to people! Have conversations with your actor friends and teachers. Go to classes and workshops, even if they’re online! Ask who reps your classmates, and see what their experience has been like. You’ll start to find patterns emerging.
Next Steps: What to Do After Researching Acting Agents
By this stage, you will have easily collected a list of 20-30 agents who you could see yourself working with and who are aligned with your career goals! Please heed my advice to only submit to agencies you feel a real alignment with. You want a genuine fit, as hopefully this relationship will be a long and prosperous one.
When you reach out definitely be sure to mention if there’s a specific client or approach an agency has taken that caught your eye. Personalising your approach in this way shows that you’re not just scattergun emailing every agent out there!
Finally, after you’ve sent out your emails and you’re waiting for responses, remember that this is not a one and done deal. In other industries, business often “wine and dine” dream clients for years. So why can’t you do the same with your agent? As an actor, non-response or rejection is never final. Treat the process like a development project for your business, and keep them in the loop with each new win and momentum updates. Sometimes, agency timing or your own growth can change things and you finally get your shot with that special agency!
Final Thoughts on Finding Your Dream Acting Agent
There you have it, folks. This framework should feel energising, and completely empower you to go out there and find your dream agent! Keep your mindset focused on the long term rather than the short term. Never sell yourself short by signing with any old agent just because they’re the first ones to say they’ll have you.
In this business knowledge is power. Focus on becoming an expert through constant research and networking. Continue bettering yourself as a business and an artist (perhaps even working with us in our StageMilk Drama Club to stay sharp!) and know that all of this effort and energy is an investment into your career. The right agent is worth the work, and worth the wait.
