Talent Agents in a Smaller Town

I just read a great blog about agents and I thought it was worth throwing in my opinion in the matter since I'm not in New York, LA, Hollywood, Chicago, or any other big city... Only time, and maybe some few people willing to do some scientific testing, will tell if I am right at all...


I'm not talking Smallville sized, but anything that's not (according to Movie Maker): Albuquerque, NM, Los Angeles, CA, Shreveport, LA, New York, NY, Austin, TX, Stamford, CT, Boston, MA, Detroit, MI, Philadelphia, PA, Seattle, WA.

It doesn't matter so much where I live now, because from where I have lived I find that it's about the same everywhere: There is a "main hub" city within an hour from where you live. This city has about 10 or so "agencies." Among those there really are only about three that are "real" agencies. These three agencies have all of the contacts and their clients get "all" the local and non-local work. They likely are "all full" with decent talent that is "your" type unless you are a significantly "unique" look.

So... what now?

Well, personally, I'm preparing myself to go to CA soon, but if I weren't this is what I'd do (I'll throw in what I am doing at the end - it's not really that different):

1. Don't pay a "headshots and trainning/classes" fee to join an agency. Yes, this is a viable way to make money for an agency outside of the biggest cities, but it means one thing only - you don't matter. These people make money on signing as many people as they can. Casting is done by an "announcement board" and you flock to cattle calls you could have found out about on your own anyway. Save your money. (But do look up good headshot professionals in the area and print up good resumes).

2. Spend it on training. If you have technology resources available, use those as you choose. If you've got nothing then get to the local library and jump on the internet. Google acting coaches, acting classes, acting schools, or acting training with your city and state. Then research these people... Try and sit in on a class for free (if you can), compare prices, and get a fund together to allow you to work with the best coach(es) you can. (This goes for vocal, movement, film, stage, etc... you can get specific about who trains you on what aspect of your abilities). These coaches usually have connections to people in the area who will cast you and can vouch for you when you go to get your agent.

Also, if there is a good acting program at a nearby college you may want to consider going (back) to school, but first ensure you can afford it and also talk to departmental faculty to get a head start on admission and auditioning processes - you don't want to learn how to audition for them after you lost a chance to go - usually they will meet with you or refer you to peers who can prep you for the auditioning process.

3. Learn about how YOUR craft. There's a million philosophies on "how to act" and in the end it's usually about confidence and honesty. Again, go to the library and do a catalog search on "acting." Read everything... You'll find that a lot of your coaches are just getting you physically (and mentally/emotionally) connected to the concepts you will read about. Knowledge is power, and once you know you can weed out what works for you (but I beg you to not be so cocky to believe that you are that one gifted person who doesn't need to learn to succeed - you'll learn through experience, but you probably wont succeed until you do.)

4. Learn YOUR industry. California, New York, Montreal, whatever... Those places may be exciting, but you're here, not there. You need to figure out how this city works. Google up production companies, studios, theatres, casting directors, Talent agencies, etc in your local area. Make a list of it all. Get it in your head who's who where you are. Go to the local colleges with film programs, find where they post their auditions and go by often enough that you can attend their actual auditions. Find out from people at auditions who the best agency is and shop around to determine who you like. Find out who is actually producing real work (not just paying, but stuff that really will *get finished* and get submitted to noteworthy festivals) on stage and screen. Find ways for the local industry to know you (Christmas cards, thank you notes, general schmoozing...)

5. Get some credits. I know this one is chicken or the egg... but if you aren't positive that you can nail an interview and audition with "the right" agency then you need to get some work first. Student films, Student stage productions, community theatre, etc... (not extra work!!! extra work is like a paid pass to lookie-lou around a film set... do it a few times to get aquainted to how it all works, but don't let it become "your career"). It's okay if your credits aren't impressive paid work or large roles. If you can show that you have been ambitious enough to get your own experience then your "hire me" points jump way up and make your impressive audition scores better.

6. Date your agent. Do not literally "date" your agent. But if your career goals are to go as far as you can in the acting industry then you need commit to a long term relationship with an agent. This will possibly be a neglectful relationship on their part (they are juggling 200+ similar relationships - and they already have their favorites). Whatever the relationship becomes you need to like having that agent and that agency name on your resume and headshot. You should be "happy" to call your agent and beg to be sent out every day or two or three. You should be ready to make your new agent feel like you feel they are the best agent out there.

If your "stuck" with an agency - follow these steps and make the switch - if it's an issue of paying off the "headshot sign-up fees" you're not getting your moneys worth by staying... at least get them to give you a comprehensive list of casting directors, studios, and theatres in the area - you can still work these "cattle call" agencies if you prepare to work hard.

7. Get a good list of contacts and play hard. Don't wait on your agent EVER!!! Go to every audition they send you on. Call and give feedback afterward and be as positive and thankful as you can (without making them or yourself sick and put-off). Then go to your own auditions and call them after those! Schmooze with everyone you come in contact with and be the best person to work with at every gig you land. Facebook everyone! The sooner you get on everyone's A-list the sooner you can live off of acting income in your small town. Imagine how excited to "sell you" your agent will be when they get a call from a casting director who wants to sign you to a paying gig that they didn't send you up for... how often does that happen?

This is a friends business. That means that everyone wants to be friendly while they get work done... I wouldn't cross the line too much to become "drinking buddies" (I don't drink alcohol anyway...) with the top dogs in your industry or you risk being just "the friend." But I definitely would make sure that people know your around and that you are great to be around and to work with... that will double the amount of times you get cast and will quadruple the amount of times your agent calls to send you out.

I think I'll post about "Industry strategy" sometime soon... Anyway, that's my take for finding and working an agent in a smaller area - I hear it works in the big cities too.

As far as my own strategy goes... its really the same thing, but I'm going to start tossing in some "networking" to agencies in CA. I plan on having as smooth a transition as I can.

Two things of note: although amateur film making (not that kind of amateur film making) with your friends is a great exercise and incredibly ambitious, if you can't make an impressive amount of money on film sales or win awards at festivals it doesn't count as resume work (maybe one entry wouldn't hurt...). Also, if you find that an agency you really want to be a part of is less interested in you, land a paying gig and tell them that you are represented by the agency you like. The agency may deny the fact and you may have to play dumb ("I said what... I meant I just got picked up by X agency... how silly of me!") and do some quick re-interviewing, but there's a good chance that the agency you like will ask how much the job pays and then "remember" that you were in fact on their talent roster.

Good luck!!!