Talk To An Agent

FOR NEW SUBMISSIONS PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR HEADSHOT AND RESUME ALONG WITH A SHORT INTRODUCTION TO submissions@amtalenthouse.com

The Actor/Agent Relationship

Every actor should strive to have a great relationship with their agent and vice-versa. You often hear actors praising their agents while others actors are complaining about theirs. The actor/agent relationship is a mutual partnership. Agents make submissions, arrange auditions, negotiate salary, believe in you when you are down and celebrate your success. Your agent can not put all the energy into the relationship. Nor can you expect them to do the majority of the work. Developing a long term relationship takes time. Patience, loyalty to your agent and believing in yourself will go a long way toward a successful career. Remember this is a business, not a hobby.

Below are Do’s and Don’ts to help achieve your goals for a successful career in the show business.

• DO have a great headshot that looks like you. You can be the most talented actor in the world, but it will not do you any good unless you have a great headshot to get your foot in the door. The headshot is the first step in the casting process, and in most cases can be the deciding factor for a casting director to bring talent in for a role. It should be done by a professional photographer and must look like the current you. Keep your Actors Access and all other accounts up to date without having to be reminded
• DO return calls promptly and check your e-mail daily. You must be accessible at all times. It is a good idea to have a cell phone that you check emails on.
   
• DO be on time for all auditions and callbacks. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the casting location. There is no excuse for being late.  Plan ahead for possible traffic and weather delays.
   
• DO be prepared for auditions. Bring extra headshots and resumes. Have extra wardrobe in your car. Go over the storyboard and know your script before you go to the audition. Do your Homework!! One of the casting director’s biggest complaints is actors who come unprepared. If you cannot put in 100%,.. Don’t go! You must be off book for every audition. Memorize lines and know the character. The audition room is not for socializing. The more prepared you are the better chance you have to book the job.
   
• DO investigate good acting classes. Audition a few classes to see which one is right for you. Going to an acting class is the equivalent to going to the gym to work out. Acting is an acquired skill. The more you do the better you get.
   
• DO book yourself out if you are not available for auditions. If you are not booked out then your agent will consider you available 24/7.
   
• DO call your agent and express any concerns you have.
   
• DO keep a positive mental outlook at all times.
   
• DO remember it’s your career. It is your responsibility to stay on top of the business, you are the only one who can control your own destiny.
   
• DO have a great attitude at all times. How you look, act and conduct yourself at auditions and on the job will determine future booking. Be professional, patient and listen to directions given to you by the director and crew. There are a lot of little details involved in filming. Be cooperative; no moaning and complaining.

• DON’T expect to book every audition you go out on. The best advice is to do the best you can at the audition and when you leave forget about it. It is a numbers game. Auditions are job interviews. When you’re right for the job you’re hired!
   
• DON’T ask for a different audition time than you were given unless you ABSOLUTELY can’t make that time. Your agent didn’t set the times, the casting director did. If you can’t make the time you were given, chances are the casting director will just fill the time with another actor.
   
• DON’T go to an audition if you are not feeling well. Try to reschedule or cancel it. Your work is not going to be the best and it is not fair to put other actors and casting directors at risk to get sick.
   
• DON’T call your actor friends to see if they are going on the same audition. This has a way of causing hard feelings for everyone. Although you may go on some of the same castings, please don’t compare yourself to anyone. Every actor an agent represents is unique to themselves.
   
• DON’T talk to other actors while waiting to be seen for an audition, it can throw you and others off from concentrating on your character.
   
• DON’T call your agent at home or on the cell phone unless it is an emergency.
   
• DON’T bring family and friends to auditions or bookings. Exception is one adult per minor child.
   
• DON’T go behind your agent's back and call/or stop by the casting director’s office about a business matter unless you have discussed it with your agent first.
   
• DON’T take it for granted that you can drop by your agent’s office anytime and expect them to drop what they are doing to talk to you. Be courteous and set up an appointment.
   
• DON’T expect your agent to get you the job. Your agent provides the opportunity and the actor gets the work by being the most professional and talented actor for the job.