FInding an acting agent, where do you find a legit one and not bogus?

Question:First off, don't trust anyone who advertises in the newspaper, online, or anywhere else - if they're really a good agency, they don't need to advertise for clients. If they have a website, they're probably not legit either.

Check Backstage and the Ross Reports for listings of some agencies..most of these should be okay.

http://www.sag.org/sagWebApp/application...
If you go here, you can find all of the SAG (Screen Actors' Guild, a union) Franchised agencies in your area. If they're not backed by the union, you have to be very careful because the agency doesn't have to follow union rules.

I thought the Actors' Equity (another union) website had a listing of agencies too, but I can't seem to find it. Maybe it doesn't have one after all. But if you called them at one of these numbers to ask them about the legitimacy of an agency, they would probably be happy to help you: https://www.actorsequity.org/members/Sec...

AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, yet another union) also has a listing: http://aftra.com/member/agentlist.htm

I hope this helps!

Oh, and if someone asks you for money upfront before getting you work, leave.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: First off, don't trust anyone who advertises in the newspaper, online, or anywhere else - if they're really a good agency, they don't need to advertise for clients. If they have a website, they're probably not legit either.

Check Backstage and the Ross Reports for listings of some agencies..most of these should be okay.

http://www.sag.org/sagWebApp/application...
If you go here, you can find all of the SAG (Screen Actors' Guild, a union) Franchised agencies in your area. If they're not backed by the union, you have to be very careful because the agency doesn't have to follow union rules.

I thought the Actors' Equity (another union) website had a listing of agencies too, but I can't seem to find it. Maybe it doesn't have one after all. But if you called them at one of these numbers to ask them about the legitimacy of an agency, they would probably be happy to help you: https://www.actorsequity.org/members/Sec...

AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, yet another union) also has a listing: http://aftra.com/member/agentlist.htm

I hope this helps!

Oh, and if someone asks you for money upfront before getting you work, leave.

Alright If You Dont Want To Go Through All The Internet hokey Pokey Then Listen Up. Join Classes. If Your Already In Classes Then Ask Around. Ask The Teacher. Ask If they Can Refer You to Quality Agents and You'll Be Set With Several Options . From Then On Its Your Choice. if Your Mate is getting Work Off Of it Then its Obviously not A Scam Because They're Finding You Roles. good Luck