“Do you have an agent?”

Possibly the most popular question ever posed to an actor, second only to “What have we seen you in?”  (Or, my mother’s favorite, “When do I get to see a copy of that student spec commercial for diapers you shot in December in Oxnard so I can send it to all your cousins?!”  Oh, Mom…) The representation question is certainly one we devote lots of time and energy to, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle.  Because, in reality, the agent is only one (albeit very important) part of your team.  That’s right!  You are building a team to help you build, support, and sell your product: YOU.

Think I’ve been watching too much college basketball for my own good?  Yeah, well, just think about it for a second.  When you read any of those interviews in gossip websites or celebrity tabloids, or listen to who award-winning actors thank at the Oscars or the Golden Globes, they always mention a whole slew of random people you’ve never heard of: publicists, managers, assistants, coaches, teachers, casting directors, and, yes, agents.  It’s like one of those commercials for children’s advocacy groups: “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child.”  And it totally takes a village to raise an actor’s career!  Your teammates can offer you everything from advice to auditions to just plain moral support.  So let’s talk about the important players you can start gathering for your team.  You’ll be surprised how many people you can count among your teammates… Read More