Finding the right agent

This experience is unique for everybody. Every actor has a different story of how they found their agent. It might be by referral or through the phone book. Some actors stay with their agent for their whole career, and some switch every three months. Everyone has a different opinion about who's the best agent in town and those opinions change with time.

In my opinion, the most important thing is whether or not your agent believes in you. If they don't think you're "the bomb", they won't be able to convince anyone else you are either. That's their job, to promote you, to push your name around, get people interested in you and take care of the business side of things so you don't have to. A good agent (as well as a good manager and publicist, when the time comes that you need them) is invaluable. A bad agent can be career suicide.

This is not to mean your agent decides whether or not you are successful. They can only do so much, and they have other clients to take care of as well. They get you in the room, and you do the acting. The gods decide if you get rich and famous.

Some say it's best to go with the biggest agency in town. They do have more pull and can get you auditions that others may not. HOWEVER, a big agency is big because they have a lot of clients, and if they're really busy, they're more likely to put you on the backburner if you're not consistently getting work. Sometimes it's best to go with a smaller agency where they have the time to give you the attention you need.

There's no hard and fast rule about whether an agent's going to be good for you. If they're really gung-ho about you, have a decent work ethic (they're not drunk every time you see them), and they're getting you some auditions, give them a chance. They may be doing everything they can for you, but you're just not what people are looking for right now. Or the industry may be going through a slow period.

When you're first starting out, it can be argued that any agent is a good agent. This is true in a lot of ways. Finding your first agent is one of the most difficult parts of the business. You need a good package (photos, resume) to convince them to see you, and then you have to audition for them. Union of BC Performers (UBCP) and ACTRA Toronto have web pages with agency lists and/or tips on how to find a good agent. I really recommend you bookmark this page and check out those sites. They go into detail about a lot of things I don't for the sake of redundancy, like putting together a good package. For your audition you'll have to prepare a monologue. You can get monologue books and play books at the stores listed in the resource links to the left. Know your monologue inside out, and pick one that you're passionate about. You get five minutes or less to sell your talent.

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