How to Get An Agent You Love
Picture this: You've just submitted yourself to a whole slew of agents, and now those exciting emails asking for an interview are rolling in—agents want to meet with you! Congratulations! That’s fantastic news, but the adventure is just beginning. Now what?
Do Your Research
Now, you get to dig into who these agents are and decide which questions you’re going to ask them to figure out if they’ll be a good fit for you. Remember, the relationship between an agent and a client is a two-way street. The agent isn’t the one with all the power. You have power, too. Don’t make the mistake of diving headfirst into the first agent that wants you. That’s not a very good strategy.
Interview Multiple Agents
A better approach is to interview a range of agents and decide which one suits you best. This is something I prepare my clients for in my course, Get Better Roles - part of the magic is all about knowing how to pitch yourself. If you know how to do that right, you’ll be the one holding all the cards.
Must-Ask Questions
But, before we dive into the research, there are a couple of things you should know. First, I've put together 15 must-ask questions for every agent interview. These questions will help you get ready and feel confident. As you dig into researching potential agents and their agencies, you might find some info that makes you want to tweak these questions to fit your needs better — tweak away! The more you think about the things that truly matter to you, the better your odds of finding an agent who’s a perfect match.
IMDb Pro is Your Friend
To really dig into your research and get the low down on your potential new agent, you should use IMDb Pro. I get that it’s an expense but, c’mon! If you’re an actor based in North America or one who wants to work on an international level you need it.
But if you’re still hesitant to make the investment, you could also use the agent’s website and social media to do your research but remember: these sources are curated to show you what they want you to see and not necessarily based on hard-core facts.
Now, let's dive into how to get the best out of IMDb Pro. First, use IMDb Pro to check out an agent's credentials, the kinds of jobs they manage, whether they handle theatrical or commercial work, or maybe even a mix of both. This can tell you a lot about the agent’s industry influence and ability to get clients booked.
Agency Size & Clients: Look up the number of clients per agent. A good number is around 100-150. Anything much higher than that may be a red flag because it means that the agent is probably overworked and won’t be able to give you the attention you deserve.
Competition & Roles: Look at the profiles of the talent they represent. See if they have clients like you and what kind of work they’re booking. Are they getting real gigs or just filling in as extras? This gives you a good idea of what to expect.
Agent Relationships: Spotting patterns can be a game-changer. If you notice an agent consistently booking clients on a particular show, it means they have a solid connection with that show's casting director. That’s great news for you!
Industry Recognition: Don't forget to Google the agent. Check if they're featured in reputable industry publications like Deadline or Variety. Doing this shows you’re serious and prepared — an may just give you the inside scoop on potential future collaborations or even red flags.
The Interview Phase
Now, let's say you’ve been contacted by an agent. Your potential new agent loved your EPK and now wants to interview you. Great news! It means they’re interested in getting to know you better. You now have the opportunity to see if they are a good fit for you.
Figure Out Your Priorities: First things first, write down what you want from your new agent and the qualities you want them to have. And, maybe prioritize them based on “Must Have” and “Nice to Have.”
Investigate: Look up your new agency on IMDb Pro. Assess their client roster to see what kinds of roles they consistently book.
Dig a Little Deeper: For example, if this agent already represents many actors like you, ask what drew them to you — why they’re interested in you specifically.
These are just some ‘food for thought’ questions to get you started. For a more comprehensive set of questions, check out this cheat sheet I made for you to use during an agent interview.
Final Steps
If your potential new agent wants to sign you on the spot, try not to rush. Ask if you could have 24 hours to think it over. Even if you’re dying to sign with them, if you have other interviews lined up, request even more time–maybe a week. This will give you time to talk to as many potential agents as possible and find the one who truly is a perfect fit for you and your career. Don’t forget, the power is more in your hands than you realize. You got this.
No IMDb Pro?
If you don’t have IMDb Pro, that’s not a problem (well, sort of). It might make things tougher but not impossible. Aside from checking your potential agent’s website and social media, another option is reaching out directly to actors represented by the agency for feedback. But, you might have to take that with a grain of salt depending on their relationship with the agent.
The Bigger Picture
If you're serious about taking your career to the next level, you need to learn how to pitch yourself effectively—to agents, casting directors, producers, everyone - it’s the fastest way to get you into the rooms that matter. That's what my course "Get Better Roles" focuses on. Book a call and let’s see if you’re a good fit.
Until next time, you stay your bold and beautiful self.
Anne
