When is it time to find an agent? - Actors Forum is the Community to Talk, Learn and Study Acting.

alex · 07-14-2005, 02:21 PM

A friend of mine has been making some commercials in LA, and she doesent know if its time to get an agent yet.

An agent bascially gets you good gigs, but take part of your salary.

What do you guys think, is it worth it at her point in the game or should she wait till she starts getting into bigger and better things?

Lamonza · 07-14-2005, 02:55 PM

You can get an agent at any time. It could be a long time before your friend lands some bigger gigs. If you get an agent "Maybe" your friend would get some bigger gigs a little bit quicker.

Different agents take out different %'s so I would start shopping for one asap.

Life is short.

Jimmy · 07-16-2005, 11:36 AM

It all depends on your immediate goals and experience level if it's time to get an agent. There's many differnet ways to build a career.

alex · 07-16-2005, 04:49 PM

I told my friend in LA about this forum, and she wanted me to post this message:

"Anybody have any experiace with a good agent that doesent charge much, and is available to take up a new client

I know I'm asking for a lot, but I tried 3 agents and they only want money and don't do any work."

Jeffrey · 07-17-2005, 04:59 AM

I know there are a few good agents you could find. Just a little hard work on searching for the right one. Good agents are those who really love their work.

Blarian · 07-17-2005, 09:40 AM

To get the full benefit of an agent. I think you need to have a high enough call back % that you can't handle everything yourself, first and foremost. Secondly, you need to be very talented or very marketable so they can actually do something with you other than take your money. It also comes down to the particular agent and making sure they are working to get you booked, rather than make a quick buck for themselves.

The most important think to remember is that an Agency is a business. They are in it to MAKE MONEY. If you are a no-name actor, most likely they don't care about you and will take the quick buck over advancing your career (unless there's long term value in it for them.)

Imprint · 07-20-2005, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blarian

To get the full benefit of an agent. I think you need to have a high enough call back % that you can't handle everything yourself, first and foremost. Secondly, you need to be very talented or very marketable so they can actually do something with you other than take your money. It also comes down to the particular agent and making sure they are working to get you booked, rather than make a quick buck for themselves.

The most important think to remember is that an Agency is a business. They are in it to MAKE MONEY. If you are a no-name actor, most likely they don't care about you and will take the quick buck over advancing your career (unless there's long term value in it for them.)

Could I translate this in the sense that when you are ready for it an agent will come for you? Or is there still a need to go and find and agent on your own?

The first option would mean that only a few people would actually get the luxury of an agent. Are agents that are starting out, with just some actors listed on their conto any good, or should I be looking for established firms that require more experience from my side, but have more of it from their side as well?

Artemis · 07-20-2005, 10:03 PM

Agents normally take 10% of what the actor makes. Any more than that and it's a scam. If she's only doing commercials, I would tell her to hold off a little because unless she gets a major commercial deal that will be shown across the US, I doubt she'd be paid much.

alex · 07-24-2005, 02:58 AM

She got an agent, despite the views I relayed to her from this forum, he charges 15%, but he got her a nationwide commercial for budlight, so I guess it paid off for her, she is doing a lot o flocal commercials too. SHe says she was never as busy as she is now.

So I guess the right time to find an agent is when you can't find work yourself.

The Legend · 07-24-2005, 02:53 PM

If you have done enough plays/movies/commercials/etc. then I think you should get an agent. An agent might be able to get you into big movies, whereas, it would be impossible getting an audition yourself. Not impossible, but you know what I mean. You dont have to worry much about finding auditions and things of that nature.