What to Expect from Your Acting Agent: Roles and Responsibilities

So you’ve reached the point in your career where you’re ready to work with an acting agent and you’ve signed on the dotted line with one in particular.

Now what? How often will you hear from them? What exactly are their roles and responsibilities to you as their client?

Hopefully, your chosen agent has been upfront about most of these things and you have a pretty clear picture of what to expect. After all, ensuring you’re on the same page is the best way to enjoy and retain a good working relationship.

If they haven’t outlined these things, however, and you’re feeling a little left in the dark, we’ve prepared this guide to help you on your way.

What Do Acting Agents Do For Actors?

First up, let’s look at the types of things acting agents generally manage for their clients. Your agent may not do all of these or offer these services to you straight away upon signing.

It is helpful to understand from the start what they will and won’t do as this can go a long way towards avoiding conflict or disappointment in future.

Typically, acting agents:

Submit You For Auditions

Agents will pursue auditions on your behalf, making contact with casting directors and sending them your details.

This may include completing the required submission paperwork electronically or by post alongside the provision of your headshots and resume. Details of your IMDb page or website (if you have them) and any other relevant marketing material may also be put forward.

Pitch You To Industry Leaders

Using their industry connections, most agents spend a lot of time on the phone or emailing industry experts to put you forward for roles and raise your profile.

Through touting your talents and unique qualities to casting directors, directors and producers you are more likely to pick up roles. This can mean securing a role before it is ever advertised for an audition.

Follow-up Call Backs

Undertaking some of the admin, your agent will often follow up on auditions and callbacks for you.

They will note the time and place you need to attend for the callback and make sure you are informed of all these details. Be prepared to attend at short notice and give it your all, your agent will expect nothing less.

Negotiate Pay & Conditions

Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of having an agent and a role they are best positioned for, is the negotiation of your pay and conditions on each job.

They can often secure a higher rate of pay than you would be able to negotiate by yourself otherwise. They also ensure you are properly catered to and cared for, for the duration of your contract.

Skilled and experienced, they go over every detail including salary, travel arrangements, billing and any special requests you may have.

Once you are an established talent, this could include details regarding your preferred hair and make-up artists, dietary requirements, wardrobe needs and more.

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