| 1-Call the Better Business Bureau in the State you live | | | | some have a certain expertise in the industry, make |
| in and find out who is an accepted member of the | | | | sure that your skills and goals match. The bigger the |
| B.B.B. and the Agency's rating with the Bureau. | | | | market the more specialized they usually are. |
| 2-See if the Agency can provide a verifiable list of | | | | 9-Be aware agencies are not miracle workers. You |
| jobs they have done in the past. If they do, make | | | | have to be exceptional and well skilled if clients are |
| sure those types of clients fit your expertise and | | | | going to pay you to work in our industry. |
| look. | | | | 10-Find out if they have personally represented any |
| 3-Check the industry leader in tracking Film, T.V. | | | | of their talent and assisted with them booking in |
| acting and production and see their booking | | | | larger markets if that is a goal of yours. Do not be |
| credentials. | | | | confused with them claiming the talent once was |
| 4-Make sure the Agencies you are considering have | | | | represented by them. |
| all the licenses required by your City, and State. | | | | 11-Find out the Agency's commission rate and get it |
| 5-Interview with at least two or three different | | | | in writing. The average agency in the United States |
| agencies and find the best fit possible. Be wary, if | | | | charges their talent 10% for extras or SAG actors |
| they make promises they probably are only after | | | | and 15-20% for everything else. |
| your money. Make sure you and your specific agent | | | | 12-If they seem more interested in selling classes to |
| are on the same path for your future. Have realistic | | | | you be wary. Skill is always needed but if they make |
| expectations. | | | | more money training than booking you, you probably |
| 6-If an Agency tends to bad mouth other Agencies | | | | will not go out on many casting calls. |
| or talent they are probably just selling you. Great | | | | 13-Contact local ad agencies, commercial photography |
| agencies are so busy promoting and booking their | | | | studios, production companies and casting directors. |
| talent they do not have time or really care to gossip | | | | Ask them which agencies they work with. |
| about what everyone else is doing. Even if they book | | | | 14-When new talent first enter this business, they |
| a ton of people how do they really know what jobs | | | | usually make between $15-$90 per hour. Once your |
| various agencies are working on? Real professional | | | | skill level and resume increase you will be eligible for |
| businesses tend to let their track record speak for | | | | much higher paying work. Be wary of overstated |
| itself. | | | | rates and immediate promises when you are |
| 7-Contact your local film commission and see who | | | | choosing an Agency. |
| they have listed and how long they have been | | | | 15-Find out how much and what type of experience |
| associated. | | | | your actual agent and the agency have. |
| 8-Understand that every agency is different and | | | | |