Acting as Your Own Agent
You should always aim to act as your own agent to some degree—this keeps you proactive in your career. To become more desirable to agencies, initially focus on building relationships and auditioning frequently. Here are steps to become your own agent:
- Go to open calls
- Submit online profiles
- Follow up aggressively
- Make your own choices—you know what’s best for your career.
Obtaining a Talent Agent
The process to obtain a talent agent includes several steps. To start your own agency, follow these 10 steps:
- Plan your business
- Form a legal entity
- Register for taxes
- Open a business bank account and credit card
- Set up accounting
Startup costs range from $7,000 to $14,000, and as a talent agency owner, you can expect to charge a commission and have a profit margin of about 70%. The main job of a talent agency is to find work for clients. Having an eye for talent and knowing how to find work for them is crucial. The median US talent manager salary is $68,424.
The Role of Talent Agents
Talent agents have a variety of responsibilities:
- Find work for their clients
- Send actors on auditions
- Set up meetings
- Negotiate contracts
Talent agents charge between 10 and 15% of the acting salary, typically up to $50,000 per year. Working with a talent agent comes with benefits such as career guidance and access to opportunities.
Can Actors Be Their Agents?
Even with an agent, actors should also work on their own to stay proactive in their career. This involves talking to friends and teachers about potential agents and understanding which agents fit your acting type. Building relationships is key.
With an agent, child actors get access to a wider network of roles, and agents ensure that actors are paid fairly. Agents also use industry relationships to help you get auditions. Remember that having an agent doesn’t guarantee success, and actors must continue to work hard with or without representation.
In the era of digital technology, voice actors have more opportunities to represent themselves. They can send out MP3 demos and set up home studios affordably. Boutique agencies may offer more personalized attention, and smaller agencies can be an exciting and profitable venture.
Actors and agents use casting websites for submissions, and actors must remain available for all production dates.