How do you get an agent?

How to get a free acting agent?

• I know one of the biggest rules in getting started in the business is to run as soon as a place asks for money from the start. I want to look for an agent but I'm not exactly sure how. You can never really trust the internet but if anyone has any sites where I can definitely get an agent, then please suggest :) I am 15 turning 16 next year. I guarantee you I will make it and not let an agent down! I give everything my all and I am DETERMINED to purse my dream! I've had this dream forever and I will not give up. I have theater experience but not any tv. I am ready to move on to the big screen. Please help me with any useful info on how to get started or how to get an agent!

• Answer:

  At your age, the only way to get an agent is going to be when they attend the showcase performances at your stage school. How else are they going to see you act and assess if you're seriously talented? You're almost an adult, and then you'll be competing with much more experienced professionals, and good agents are only interested in drama school graduates with years of experience. What most wannabee actors don’t seem to realise is that theatrical agents are not nice, generous people just wanting to help them get top jobs and be happy. They are running a business and are in it primarily for the money. I’m not saying they’re all horrible, but their main aim is to make a profit for themselves. An agent only takes on a certain number of clients, as having too many means that they can’t devote enough time to each one in order to get them good auditions. When they select clients, they obviously look for the ones most likely to earn the highest pay, because they take a percentage of this instead of a fee. If their clients don’t get good roles which pay very well, they don’t earn much either. They know that the actors most likely to get paid big money are those who went to the top drama schools, who have lots of experience both on stage and to camera, and have extra skills such as dancing, singing, stage combat qualifications, speak other languages, can drive, ride horses, etc. There is no way that any good agent would risk wasting time on anyone with little or no training, experience or other evidence that they are going to be high-earners. They have hundreds of actors to choose from and are always inundated with requests for representation, so they can afford to be as selective as they want. I'd advise you to get a place at a good drama school and work hard for three years. Acting as a career is far too competitive for you to just waltz in and expect to succeed without an adequate training and far more experience.