I just wrote this up for a friend – I thought it might help someone else:

The agency question is seemingly on everyone’s mind. As you look at the message boards on the Backstage website, everyone frets over the slightest details trying to solve this age-old problem. Every five messages someone simply starts a thread that asks “How can I get an agent?”

Some questions:

1. Are you looking for Commercial, Theatrical or both?
2. Are you in SAG?
3. Do you have a reel? Do you have any TV/Film credits (ie. that people may have heard of)?
4. Are you sure you’re moving? Are you sure when?
5. Are you prepared for the cost of apartments here? Do you know where you might live?

Some “universal” advice:

1. You’re probably SOL until you actually move. There may be agents that will rep you as an out-of-town actor but I can guarantee that 95% or more will not. They want you in town to go to meetings and auditions, sometimes at the last minute. It doesn’t hurt to try but most will read “I’m moving to LA soon” to actually mean “I might move to LA but I might not.” or “I’m not serious yet.”

2. Get The Agencies by Lawrence Parke – http://www.actingworldbooks.org/books.htm or at some book stores here. It’s published every month (which is why it’s so essential) and has the latest agents/addresses and WHAT THEY’RE LOOKING FOR. There are some similar publications but this is the best.

3. You need a great color headshot. Don’t settle for anything less than great. Unless you’re not interested in commercial or theatrical representation, you’re going to need one style for each. It would be a smart idea to get this done before you arrive but be careful about photographers in your home town – there might be good ones and I know there are plenty of bad ones.

4. If your racial background is different than caucasion your ethnicity will be very, very valuable and will open more doors than it will close. It will be a HUGE help getting you an agent (either) and the pool of actors you’ll compete with for roles will be greatly reduced.

5. When you get here, try to get in a class or get in a show. There are a few good sources for film & theatre auditions. Plan to hit the ground running. Work and network.

6. Some may say you don’t have a “commercial look.” What may hurt you commercially can help you theatrically.

7. I’m going to guess that you don’t have a reel and you don’t have any TV/Film credits to speak of (me neither). Getting a theatrical agent is much harder (usually) than getting a commercial one and it may take more time. Some agents will rep you in both. Sometimes a good reel can open the door when the credits aren’t there. This can be created from small films you’ve done or from original material. There are some good companies out here that can help you with this – almost from scratch.