How to Get Representation in the Entertainment Industry
You’ve moved to Los Angeles with hopes and dreams of making it in the entertainment industry. You’ve read all of the advice articles online - get your headshots, get into acting training, and make as many industry connections as possible. While vague, you’re in the right direction - but there is so much more to pursuing a career in show business. It’s about a creating a package that makes you enticing, alluring - what every production company and network wants to hire. The below advice will assist you with creating the vessel necessary to work in Hollywood.
#1: Figure out who you are.
As an entertainer - you need to figure out who you are as an actor, and the brand you’re looking to develop. There are so many forms of actors: The Leading Man, The Character Actor, The Heart Throb, The Women in Distress, etc. Through coaching and self discovery - you figure out who you are and what you feel most comfortable with. When I take meetings with actors, that is one of the first questions that I ask them - who are you as an actor? If you feel comfortable with comedy or drama, or being the supporting - let your potential representative in the meeting know.
#2: UNDERSTAND THE BUSINESS.
The Entertainment Industry is a business of self progression and growth. Very few actors have the opportunity of just booking roles right out of the gate. You may need to gain some experience: both with coaching as well as on-set experience. Come to Los Angeles understanding that you may need to go the co-star and guest star route before you feel completely comfortable with landing guest stars and series regular roles. On top of coaching, making sure you identify and work on your brand for the business.
#3: DO NOT SUBMIT TO MASS AGENTS AT A TIME.
A common mistake that I see that most entertainers make is mass submitting to every agency without preparing their package appropriately. There is a lot that goes into signing a client - understand that we are taking you on without any upfront fees and making commission only when you book. We have to make sure that clients are prepared and ready for the studios and networks. Work on your package first - and DO NOT BCC every rep in town. Target your submissions. It’s a small industry and we all talk and discuss this. And it usually ends up in you not being signed.
#4: KEEP SUBMISSION EMAILS SHORT & SWEET.
Submission emails should only be a few lines - let’s get into who you are, your accomplishments, and the materials. That’s it. Do not go into your life story - we have plenty of time to ask that once we decide we want to do a formal email. Understand that managers and agents have a short time to really devote to new clients. Operate efficiently and if no response, move on to another company.
Work hard and make sure that you prepare yourself. There is a team in town for you - you just have to find the right one.