What should I do to prepare to meet a Talent Agent?

Question:What should I act like, what should I expect from them? Is there anything I should bring? :) Thank You!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: What should I act like, what should I expect from them? Is there anything I should bring? :) Thank You!

A talent agent should be licensed and bonded.

The Screen Actors Guild (www.sag.org) has a franchised list of legit agents who are licensed and bonded by the guild. And you should consult this list... to see if the agent you are going to see is on it. You can get a list by sending a self addressed stamped envelope and they'll send it to you.... check out their website, their phone number has instructions on how to obtain this list.

As for when you meet with your talent agent... what you need to do is be yourself...and be natural. Agents look for different things in the talent they rep. When they see the 'real you'.... they are seeing someone they can work with. A good agent will work for you, if they like working with you. If they don't know who the 'real you' is... they can't make that assessment.

Also... how diversified are you with your talents? Are you an actor-singer-dancer-model-writer-host-co... type? Or are you concentrated strictly on dramatic acting or more comedic acting?

Do not hesitate to share in your meeting, all your many interests and talents - it helps an agent work better FOR YOU.

I have met with agents who have 'no clue' that the one of the talents they represent who is an actor, can also sing.... and it's no reflection on the agent as much as it is the talent not disclosing, they have an amazing voice and could possibly go this direction with their career, too. Know what I mean?

What sports/hobbies do you have? You may think this is silly, but let's just say you are a great snowboarder. And there is a commercial casting for some sports energy drink and they need you to act in it as well as snowboard in it. Why not cast you? See how this works?

No matter what the talent, hobby, interest.....it's important that this be on your resume, just as much as where you had training, or experience or whatever. If you can juggle, or bowl a strike everytime, or are a great golfer or maybe you have a gift in working with animals or small children......these are things that casting agents look for too, depending on the role they are casting - beit for theatre, film, television or commercial or even music video.

If you have had any 'extra' work.... be sure to let your talent agent know this. It shows you have a passion for the industry and are willing to do what you need to do to get your career going. Agents like this. It is important. It shows ambition.

Oscar winner, Hilary Swank started her career in a music video, as did "Friends" star, Courteney Cox. Brad Pitt did extra work and was discovered this way.

There are many steps on the ladder to success.....do as many as you can and do not be shy about admitting (no matter how small the part in a play or whatever) to a talent agent all the things you've done.

It's essential to show your range, how you diversify your talents and how you show up in pursuing your dream. It also gives the agent more insight as to who you really are and what you have to offer, as well as how many markets you can be working in. And THIS is very key for you to get work.

Good luck!

A RESUME! and be relaxed if u act tense they might think ur not comfotable in this setting and especially not infront of audiences. and if they ask for money RUN it is a scam if it is with a place like john casalancas (search and u can see all the suits against them and problems people have with them) they are just classes and when u get ur break the person ur working with will train u and get u classes if they're needed a good rep company that i know of is actorsrep.com they have offices and several friends of mine said they're great a good agent will work on commission and try to get u jobs cause then they get paid if u have to pay upfront though just stand up say thank u and leave!

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