Acting Agents and Commissions
An acting agent doesn’t cost anything upfront. Legitimate talent agents will usually only take a 10-20% commission on the work you take. This serves as an incentive for agents to find their actors work, as they don’t get paid unless the actor gets paid.
If you get approached or approach an agency, and they ask for an upfront fee to join the agency, run! They’re a scam!
Think of the talent agent as your supporter, mouthpiece, and accountant. They are responsible for linking the actor to the project and more that contribute to the actor’s success.
Typically, most acting agents will ask for between 10 and 15% of the acting salary or earnings up to $50,000 per year. So if you make $500,000, and your acting agent asks for 10% then they make $50,000. If you make $600,000 and your acting agent takes 10% up to $50,000, they will still only make $50,000 for the year.
Legal Matters and Services
In the state of California, it is actually illegal to charge money to represent talent. Note that advanced fees are very different from commissions, which is how legitimate agents and managers make their money.
Is It Worth Getting an Acting Agent?
Getting an acting agent can be a valuable asset to your career. Agents have access to industry connections and can help you book auditions and jobs. However, it’s important to remember that an agent is just one piece of the puzzle.
While top actors at the height of success can command immense paychecks, the reality is acting often provides an unstable income stream for most. Having a great agent does not change the fact that actors are freelancers who go from gig to gig. Especially early in an acting career, financial stability can be elusive.
At the beginning of your acting journey, you don’t need to worry about getting an agent so much as gaining experience to build your resumé. However, you’ll eventually want an agent to help you book auditions or find casting calls for professional work as you progress.
Challenges in Getting an Agent
Although Los Angeles and New York are the main hubs of the entertainment Industry, agents can be found everywhere across the globe. The difficulty of getting an acting agent is entirely dependent on how much work you’re willing to put into doing so. It’s about doing the work and honing your craft; at which point, agents tend to take notice.