Thought I'd start a list of resources for finding agents and managers. If anyone has more to add, please do.

SAG - www.sag.org

ATA - Association of Talent Agents www.agentassociation.com

TMA - Talent Managers Association, Inc. www.talentmanagers.org

NCOPM - National Conference of Personal Managers http://www.ncopm.com

Ross Reports
www.rossreports.com
Most recent (as of July 2007) Managers List
http://www.backstage.com/bso/rossreports/article_displa...ontent_id=1003608122
The Ross Reports is a small, bi-monthly booklet that has television production, films in development, agent, manager and casting director listings, which can be ordered online through Backstage and also found at most book stores.

NY - Henderson Directories
http://www.hendersonenterprises.com/books.html
Also found at most NY bookstores.

Breakdown Services Actor Resources
http://www.breakdownservices.com/store/store.html

The Agencies--What the Actor Needs to Know published by Acting World Books, in either the NY or Hollywood edition. It is filled with current agency information (not sure how up to date this is lately) but it has helpful details and is updated monthly and available in acting related book stores.

Finding an agent and knowing how to deal with them can seem a bit overwhelming. Two excellent books that can help answer all your questions about agents are:
An Agent Tells All by Tony Martinez
How to Agent Your Agent by Nancy Rainford

For more information on agents and managers, here is an excellent column worth reading.
http://more.showfax.com/columns/avoice/archives/2006_03_27.html

Also, for a way to see what clients an agent or manager might have, you can check on IMDb-Pro if you are a Pro subscriber. There are no guarantees that the clients listed are still with those agencies/managers unless the client themselves have updated their own page, or the agency or manager keeps up with it. Some do, some don't. But, at least it gives you an idea of how many clients they have and if they are working.

I wanted to add in regards to checking client lists for agents and/or managers on IMDb-Pro. It's possible that not all of their clients may be listed. They will only be listed if they have done film or television (not commercials) or if they have an IMDb-Pro membership and have created their own page.

If any clients are only doing theatre, print and/or commercials and are not members of Pro, they won't be listed.

Hey mom (sounds weird saying it to someone else lol) - thanks so much! I've gotta learn myself up on the TMA. Also, don't forget, you can look up an actor's agent using ATA's search, click here:

http://www.agentassociation.com/frontdoor/actors_agent_search.cfm

Like mominbizzz said, not all of their clients are on that, the TV/film people are.

Thanks again, great post

*Bump*

can i submit myself to these agencys or how does that go? like mail them my headshot and resume?

Yup! Research the agencies and target only the ones that represent your type. Send your headshot and resume (1 page attached back to back) and a short cover letter stating what type of representation you're looking for and a little something about yourself.
http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/8011031/m/92710675

do you think its better to wait until january to send out headshots/resumes..because of the holidays..?

I would hold off on submissions the last 2 weeks in December, but other than that, I think anytime is the right time. You just never know if you're going to be what an agent is looking for at that time.

January through April is sometimes considered a less than opportune time to submit due to the hectic pace of pilot season, but I still say submit, and keep submitting about every 6 weeks or so. Do follow-ups with postcards. Keep yourself on their radar.

Wouldn't now be the time to start submitting to agents and managers, since there's not a lot of work out there on account of the writer's stike?

How do you submit ? just mail them your headshot and resume ?

THANKS

quote:

Originally posted by J881340:
How do you submit ? just mail them your headshot and resume ?

THANKS

Yes, just mail them your headshot with resume and a brief cover letter telling them a bit about yourself.

How do you find out which "type" agencies represent?

quote:

Originally posted by trepinski:
How do you find out which "type" agencies represent?

Read the suggested reading... Ross Reports, The Agencies, Henderson Directories or Breakdown Services Directories. The listings have descriptions of what type of clients they represent.

quote:

How do you find out which "type" agencies represent?

Hi, all. Please clarify: by "type," these resources name the types of performer, such as actors, singers, dancers, hosts, etc., that they represent, and not types as in nerd, girl next door, leading man, MILF/DILF, Latinos, blue collar? I only have Ross Reports to go by, but I can't imagine the agencies as a whole would update and publish their needs as they change. Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by transfergirl:

quote:

How do you find out which "type" agencies represent?

I can't imagine the agencies as a whole would update and publish their needs as they change. Thanks!

You're right! It's up to you to present yourself to the agencies, knowing your type and going from there. If there is a certain type of character you feel best about playing, then start from there. But remember, agencies usually want actors who can stretch themselves as actors and go out for more than just what you feel comfortable with, unless that is all you want to do. It may be harder for you to get jobs or even agents that way, but that's up to you.