What is a talent agency interview like?

What is the best way to book an interview with a talent agency and how much experience do you need?

• I am 14 years old now and have been singing since i was two (like in a choir) and acting in musicals and taking acting classes since I was eight. I have also had about two to three years of dancing experience and things like that. I LOVE acting and do reasearch about it all the time. I'm going to college next year and want to minor in theatre arts. I am often told I should model, but I'm more interested in acting. Is this enough experience to book a talent agency or is there something more I need to do? And is it possible that if I get the agency then I woul start getting roles in commercials or films? This is like my dream to do this stuff. Thank you to anyone who answers!!!

• Answer:

  Legitimate agents generally require that you have professional experience, so school productions don't count toward that. But if you've been involved in community theater, that should give you the professional credentials you'll need to be considered by an agent. The best thing you could do is talk to your theater peers, since it's likely some of them have agents who find them work in commercials, TV and movies. An agent will take a referral from a current client more seriously. Beware of any agency that uses the name "talent agency" because that's a sure sign the agency is not legitimate. Acting, music and modeling are entirely different fields with different skill sets, so legitimate agents represent actors OR models, but not both. And if you're going into music, you don't need an agent because musicians arrange their own bookings. As a rule, legitimate agents NEVER ask for money up front, so be very careful. There are more fraudulent agents than legitimate ones and the frauds make their money by selling classes, head shots and other promotional materials that are completely useless. An agent's job is to provide casting directors with experienced, professional actors who know what's expected of them on the job. Legitimate agents don't offer training or sell head shots, since you'll need those before you're even ready for an agent. And legitimate agents are paid on commission, so they only get paid when their clients do (they earn a percentage of what actors or models are paid for jobs). If you don't yet have professional experience, you'll probably have to get involved with a community theater, since that's about the only way you'll be able to earn professional credentials. If you enroll in classes at a theater (or audition for roles, since you've already taken classes) and show that you're talented and committed to the craft of acting, you'll be considered for roles in upcoming productions. Once you've appeared in a few of those, you'll have the experience required to shop for an agent who may be able to find you other work. Most stage actors also work in commercials, TV and movies, so your theater peers will be able to recommend legitimate agents.