Why You Need a Talent Agent in Vancouver and How to Get One
To be a successful actor in Vancouver, a talent agent is essential.
Having an agent is the only way to book auditions for network television shows, studio films and big budget commercials. The producers of these large projects hire recognized casting directors (CDs) to find performers and those CDs only accept actor submissions from agents. CDs build relationships with agents and trust them to send professional, reliable talent out for auditions.
An agent’s job is to submit you for any project/character that fits your look and skills. They manage the back-and-forth between CDs and producers on your behalf, so all you have to worry about is your craft—learning your lines and performing—not shoot schedules or pay negotiations.
Below I’ve outlined the actions to take to make yourself super marketable to agents.
1. Create and Compile Your Acting Materials
There are thousands of actors in Vancouver so you must show prospective agents that you are professional and informed about the film industry. Submitting strong marketing materials will illustrate how talented and motivated you are, making you an attractive potential client to add to their roster.
These are the materials you should include for your submission package:
Headshots with varying looks.
When an agent opens your submission email, they want to see what you look. If there’s someone on their roster who looks like you already, it will be an easy “no” for them (more on this in step 4).
Think about the types of roles you can play and get pictures taken of you looking the part. Some examples could be:
· Girl next door
· Young mom
· Edgy girl
· Professional woman
When choosing you final selects, make sure your eyes look alive in the photos you choose and that each image tells a story.
Footage of you acting.
Agents need to see what you can do. Film 2–4 contrasting scenes, audition style, and upload them to Vimeo.
Contrasting is key. Agents need to see your range and what you’re capable of.
Here are mine:
· Doctor
An acting resume.
If you don’t already have an acting resume, make one. Include all of your performance training and experience.
Here’s an example.
2. Create Profiles on Major Casting Platforms.
Casting platforms are the information hub and communication tool that agents and CDs use to share material.
CDs upload project breakdowns with character descriptions for agents to read through. Your agent will submit your profile to the open roles that you’d fit. CDs review agents’ submissions and decide who they’ll invite to audition for the part.
Having these profiles fully populated will demonstrate how serious you are about being a successful working actor.
These are the major casting platforms:
1. Casting Workbook
Sign up for all three and flesh out your profiles with as much information and media as possible including:
· Headshots
o CDs see your headshot as a small thumbnail amongst dozens or maybe hundreds of other actors who look like you, so make sure you’re uploading your best shots.
· Footage
o CDs want to see how you look and sound on camera. Upload your contrasting scenes and a demo reel, if you have it.
· Special Skills
o Each platform has a section for you to fill out any special skills that you can perform such as accents, vocal range for singing, martial arts, dance disciplines, sports, etc.
· Resume
o You can upload a PDF of your resume to these sites.
3. Get a Cavco number.
Productions get tax credits (i.e. savings) when they can prove that they’ve hired Canadian talent, and Cavco numbers are how they prove it to the CRA.
Being able to say you have one makes you look super professional in your submission. It shows you’re knowledgeable about your industry and willing to take initiative on the business side.
Apply for a Cavco number here.
4. Sign up for IMDb Pro.
There are many benefits to having an IMDb Pro account, but at this early stage in your acting career it’s the best research tool to find an agent.
IMDb Pro gives you access to more information than the regular IMDb site, most importantly, who’s on their roster.
Research agencies and agents using Vancouver Actor’s Guide. Make a list of who you’re interested in and look them up on IMDb Pro to view how many actors are on their roster and what those actors look like*. Note the contact information of any agent who does not have an actor that looks like you on their roster.
*Rule out agents who have an actor that looks like you already. If they have two lookalikes, you as the newer client could potentially lose out on audition opportunities to the more experienced actor.
When you’re ready to reach out to agents, include the link to your IMDb page. Make sure you’ve included your experience, bio, and photos (headshots, editorial, on-set). Here’s my page as a reference.
5. Send your submission package to your top agents.
Now you should have a strong submission package of acting materials and a list of agents you’re interested in.
If you have a teacher or mentor in the industry, ask them to send a recommendation letter to your top agent picks on your behalf. Their endorsement will give you credibility, especially if they’re well known.
If you don’t have a teacher or mentor, don’t worry, you can reach out to agents yourself. When you do, write a cover letter in the body of the email outlining:
· Why you want to work with them
· Why you’d be a good client for them
· Your short- and long-term acting goals
And be sure to thank them for their time.
Good Luck!
This process can be overwhelming, so post your questions in the comments section below.
Break a leg!