The characters Ralph and Sarah in the ITV WEST Television Workshop production of the savage comedy, MR KOLPERT (2005), set about a brutal interview of their unsuspecting dinner guests, Bastian and Edith. Hopefully your interview experiences won't be this tough!
Interviews, whether for jobs, with directors, producers or agents - they can be pretty daunting. This advice on being interviewed by an agent pretty much covers all interviews, so you can adapt it depending on your individual needs…
Okay - so you've finally landed an interview with an agent… When you get that prized interview with an agent, you want to be as prepared as possible. You have copies of your CV, Showreel and favorite photographs, plus a couple of monologues prepared in case the agent asks you: "So, show me what you can do."
But the first part of the interview is sometimes awkward for both agent and actor, as you both make an effort to get on the same wavelength. The agent has probably already seen your CV, Showreel and photographs, and if you're lucky, they may have seen your work in a play or film.
But the agent wants to get to know you a bit more personally, and to find out how you present yourself to people in the business. After all, if you work with the agent, they will be sending you to audition for other professionals in the business - the agent wants to make sure that you can present yourself professionally to anyone they might send you to.
So the agent says: "Tell me a little about yourself." Or, "What's your background?"
What do you say?
You should prepare ahead of time for this moment, just as you would prepare for any role or audition, because all interviews and meetings are 'performances' - they are all opportunities for you to "Wow" them with what you've got and what you have to offer.
The WOW factor!
So prepare for your interview! This is your opportunity to be a writer, to create exactly the monologue that suits you as a person. So practice it, just as you would an audition piece, until you're completely confident about it.
Think about what you'd want the agent to know about you. Don't just rattle off your CV; the agent has already seen that. But you can mention a few highlights, just to emphasize your strong points. If you have good training from a reputable school, university, group, agency or other training provider (such as ITV WEST Television Workshop!) be sure to mention this. People in the business like to hear that you might know what you're doing! If you've played some lead roles in plays or films the agent might recognize, mention them.
If none of the above apply, don't let it shake your confidence. Every actor had to start somewhere - so pick a role you've played and talk about why you enjoyed it, or what you learned from the director or another actor you worked with.
You can talk about what it is that excites you about acting. Is it the opportunity to get into a character's head and rummage around that you enjoy? Or is it the chance to express yourself onstage? What do you love about the theatre, musicals, TV, radio, stand-up, cabaret, comedy or film?
If you have a hobby that is particularly interesting, such as stunt motorcycle riding, you can mention this. Try to give the agent as clear a picture of what's unique about you as you can - but remember to be professional, relevant, enthusiastic and to the point.
Communicate as much as you can from your true self, rather than putting on some kind of mask. You don't have to list every hobby you have - you don't want to bore or scare them! In fact, it's better if you "distill" your monologue into a 15 to 30 second distinct image of who you are. Agents are usually short on time, and the more clear your presentation, the more they'll see you as a professional.
PREPARE TO PRESENT YOUR TRUE SELF - DON'T LIE!
Don't be tempted to lie about roles you've played or directors you've worked with. Good agents are extremely knowledgeable about the business, and if you get caught in a lie, the agent will probably have nothing more to do with you. Trust is very important in this business, and if you're deemed to be untrustworthy, your reputation can be ruined before your career even gets started. Don't take the chance -just be honest about where you are in your career.
Finally, remember that if an agent has invited you in for an interview, they are already interested - or they wouldn't waste their time meeting you. So you don't have to push. Be as relaxed as you can and be as much your "real self" as you can. Relate to the agent on a personal level, as you do a friend or acquaintance. The agent probably hopes you are a down-to-earth, interesting and professional person, someone they might enjoy working with over time. View the interview as one of several paths leading to many possibilities, rather than as a career success or failure test.
TRUST YOUR GUT
Now, if you have an interview with an agent, and find yourself extremely uncomfortable in that person's presence - if they yell at you or put you down, or exhibit very negative behaviour - this is probably someone you don't want to work with, because they'll just continue to abuse you throughout your relationship. Trust your gut instincts - if you're uncomfortable, leave the office and look for another agent. There are plenty of good agents out there, and you'll know when you've found the right one.
Remember - an agent or agency that charges YOU to join is probably not a real agency. Why? Well, an agent takes a percentage of your earnings - that is they take say 20% of the money you earn from acting jobs - they are not a club you pay to join. But without a good agent, you'll most likely get little or no work and so you'll earn nothing. So it's better to have a GOOD agent taking a large cut of a large income - than a bad agent taking a tiny cut of a tiny income! And how will you know they are good? Reputation. You'll have heard of them, or at least more experienced performers will have.
Most actors only get agents AFTER they've landed their first decent paid professional role. After all, why would an agent who earns a percentage of your acting income want to take on someone earning nothing? After all, a twenty percent - hell even fourty percent cut of nothing is still nothing! So at the beginning of your career, it's probably going to be up to you - and not an agent - to find you work. But once you land that first professional job - and have a written contract promising a fee - you'll find it a lot easier to get an agent. Let's face it, unless your agent's your Mum or Dad, it's highly unlikely they'll want to represent you for free!
IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED - REDEFINE SUCCESS!
One last thing. It does not hurt to resubmit to agencies on a regular basis. How else are they going to remember you exist? However, instead of sending yet another headshot and CV, try sending a postcard size of your photo with a brief note updating the agents about recent productions and/or classes you have been in since you sent your last mailing: student films, independent films, local commercials, plays - whatever you've added to your experience - tell them about it.
Send such an "update" mailing every 4-6 weeks (assuming you have something new to tell them.) After 6 months or so, you might want to send a new, updated CV and another 8x10 photograph and maybe even a new showreel.
REMEMBER - EVEN TV DOCTORS NEED PATIENCE!
Have patience. This agent thing can take time - especially if you are sending your info to big time agents - who can do you the most good. Sending postcards lets them know you are sincere in your desire to be an actor because you regularly take classes to improve your skills and are in productions - which shows you are winning auditions and are improving your acting abilities.
In the meantime, don't just wait for agents to respond to your mailings. Be assertive. Market yourself directly. Keep your eyes open for casting auditions. Check your local papers, film schools, theatres, film commissions or trade publications for audition notices for independent films that might be filmed in your area. Keep an eye on relevant websites (many of which are listed on our LINKS page) and above all… KEEP ACTING!
ACTING is a VERB! A doing word.
So go on… ACT!
Compiled by ADAM FRESCO (2006)
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