Have you ever had this thought? Or at heard another actor utter this phrase?
We get it. Getting representation can feel like dating in LA. It can be hard & a little frustrating (ok a LOT frustrating). That’s why actors sometimes think they have to sign with someone the moment they hear a “yes.”
But guess what? You don’t have to. AND it will not break your career.
As with anything in life: 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕤𝕒𝕪 “𝕟𝕠” 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕓𝕖 𝕒 𝕘𝕠𝕠𝕕-𝕙𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕖𝕕, 𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕟-𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕕 𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕠𝕟. Repeat that as needed.
Signing with an agent (or manager) “just because” doesn’t serve anyone.
What happens if you sign with an agency where neither party is particularly eager to hustle? Likely, a whole lotta nothing.
Here’s something to consider:
Say you sign with an agent who brings you on because you nanny for their top-booking client and well, they want to throw “top-booking client” a bone. You’ve now entered into a year-long contract where you finally feel as though you can take a breather from submitting to every. damn. submission. on. Actor’s. Access. #amirite
But “new agent” is busy pitching & submitting “top-booking client” + other top bookers because #money
All of a sudden 3 months go by and as your mid-bite through your avocado toast your realize… !!! You haven’t had an audition this entire time!
Important side note: 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟 𝕒𝕘𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕕𝕠𝕖𝕤𝕟’𝕥 𝕞𝕖𝕒𝕟 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕙𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕝𝕖 𝕚𝕤 𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣. 𝕀𝕥 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕞𝕖𝕒𝕟𝕤 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕒 𝕔𝕠-𝕙𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕝𝕖𝕣.
While having an agent can greatly open up more opportunities, it’s important to patiently wait for the right one for YOU.
Here are some rep RED FLAGS to keep an eye out for:
🚩 Never ever ever ever ever ever ever pay upfront for representation. An offer that is accompanied by a guarantee of employment is typically an illegal one.
🚩 A SAG-franchised agency should never charge more tha a 10% commission fee. This is a union rule.
🚩 The first step in checking on an agent’s legitimacy is to see if they are licensed by the state. To legally negotiate for you, they must post a bond to do so (the same is not true for managers since they do NOT have to be licensed by the state).
🚩 They are pushing your social media more than your acting materials. It’s not unheard of.. and it’s just strange.
🚩 They forget your name from time-to-time. Not sure this one needs more explanation.
There are hundreds of amazingly, hard-working, talented agents out there. In the famous words of Dr. Cristina Yang, go find “your person.”
#themoreyouknow #TheCastingDirectorsCut #mondaymythdebunker