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ONE Question You MUST Answer REALLY WELL in order to Get an Agent

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If you have been researching how to get an agent, you know it isn’t easy. There are HUNDREDS of tips and tools out there, but nothing is the magic juice. There are a lot of things that need to fall into place to finally obtain representation and get to the next level in your acting career.

There is no one size fits all tactic and everyone’s journey to finding a great professional rep is different. But there is ONE THING that is important in EVERY agent journey– and that is the ability to answer THIS QUESTION really well….

WHAT ROLES DO YOU SEE YOURSELF PLAYING?

Why is this question SO IMPORTANT?

Two main reasons…

Agents want to know you can book RIGHT NOW. Not 3 years from now or 5 years from now– but what you are right for RIGHT NOW.

This business is about making a profit. In order to have a profitable actor/agent relationship, you need to book jobs and there needs to be job opportunities out there for someone like you! In school, you often play characters that you wouldn’t play professionally until you are much older and that can throw a lot of actors off. Your agent wants you to focus on the age appropriate characters you can start making money playing right away.

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Agents want to know YOU UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAN BOOK. So many actors just want to work but have done little to NO research on what they actually can book right now.

They don’t know the shows they are right for or the styles they can nail or at least they can’t articulate it. This screams LAZY ACTOR and it is not impressive to agents. You should be able to name theatre titles and characters, tv shows, writers and types of projects you are castable for at the drop of a dime. This shows an agent what you believe your type to be and that you are always aware of the opportunities you may be right for. This shows heart and hustle. It is SO important.

So ask yourself– can I answer this question? Can I answer it without an “um” or “uhhh”? Can I rattle off 5-10 quick titles or projects? If you can’t— this is your HOMEWORK!

Start researching and understanding what your money making opportunities are! Your career depends on it and there are lots of agents out there interested in hearing your answers!

Colleen Finnegan Kahl is an accomplished Theatre Arts Educator, author of this article, and President of Actors Connection. Colleen is an expert helping aspiring actors prepare for auditions and tryouts with Casting Directors and Talent Agents. Contact Colleen for more information. Photo provided by Towfiqu barbhuiya.

Stuart K. Robinson Actor & Teacher

Speak L.A. Podcast! Interview with Stuart K. Robinson

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Hey Actors!

In this week’s collaboration with Speak LA, we bring you a life-changing podcast episode. Meet Stuart Robinson – Teacher, Actor, Agent.

Stuart breaks down:

What does it REALLY mean to Be Yourself?
What is “The Thing That YOU Do?” (This is the key to everything!)
How can you get rid of your fear?
How can you not be waiting anymore?
What quality should your headshot absolutely have?

And so much more! Enjoy!

– Actors Connection

Prentice Miles Acting Website

Do Actors Need A Website?

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Let me start by asking you this: 

When you are writing up an email to a potential talent Agent, Manger or Casting Director that you recently connected with, do you feel like you are over-explaining yourself in your email pitch? 

Do you struggle making it sound impressive without sounding “braggy”?

Does it feel like you are pushing your personality to shine through while still keeping it brief and professional?

If you answered “YES” to any of this (or cringed while reading those questions… or had slight heart palpitations because writing a good cover letter is STRESSFUL) then Dear Actor, YES you need a website!

Do you need any ole website? NO!

DO NOT waste your money on a website if you are just going to basically make it like an Actors Access profile and have everything slapped up there boringly…

DO INVEST your money in designing a website if you are going to do it right. Take time to develop a brand based on research (or hire someone who can help you develop your brand) and optimize your website to function as a PREMIUM PITCH PACKAGE. Because at the end of the day, that’s what a GOOD Actor Website will do for you: It will function as your 3 Dimensional Cover Letter and do “The Humble Brag” for you so you don’t have to in your email pitches. 

Think about when you look at a show poster, let’s say Stranger Things for example, what does that poster tell you about the world? About the tone of the show? About the premise?

Well, your actor website is basically the show poster to who you are as an actor/human! A good website allows you to show more and say less, because your website does all the talking so you don’t have to when you pitch yourself!

So my advice to you when it comes to beginning your actor website journey is this:

Take the time to develop your brand first because good branding is what differentiates your website from functioning as a portfolio site (like Actors Access) to serving you as a Premium Pitch Package.

In short, my definition of Branding is how to marry your essence with the industry. Branding IS NOT Typecasting OR putting you in a box to paint a 1 Dimensional picture of what “Archetype you play.” It is much more intricate and deeper than that. – – –  I will write another blog about my definition of an Actor Brand because there are so many controversial opinions about this and I PROMISE you my version of branding is MUCH different from what you’ve heard.

If you’re struggling with how to begin this Actor Website + Branding Development journey and are ready to take the leap and hire a professional, let’s connect! I help actors every day level up their actor websites to function as a Premium Pitch Package, and I can help you too. Schedule your Free 20 Minute Consultation to get started.

-Kristina Horan, Head Website Designer + Brand Developer at Kristina Horan Website Designs.