An Agent’s entire job is to further your career; to run an efficient and effective business where their entire roster is accountable and reliable. When a casting house calls or emails, they know without a shadow of a doubt that (barring hospitalization and already being booked for another project) the talent they want to see will be unequivocally available. This business never stops or even takes pause for sleep. 

Let's break down the purpose and directive of an agent; their sole purpose is to promote their actors. An agent is a full time, 16-20 hours a day communicating machine. Your agent is in constant communication with casting houses, production teams and directors. 

They already have the relationships built, they know the nuances, and they have committed themselves to being your biggest cheerleader. They only get paid when you do. The more you get paid, the more they get paid. Everything they tell you is to help push you in the right direction for your career. This is a well oiled machine! Don’t reinvent the wheel! And at the risk of adding in one too many tacky cliches, They know what they’re talking about! They would NEVER steer you in the wrong direction, their job and livelihood literally depend on it.

The risk isn’t ‘will your agent work for you’, the risk is, ‘will you work for your agent’? Once your goals align with each other, the sky’s the limit! Aligning your goals may take some time, but here are some surefire ways to help the process:

• Be Punctual; with emails, confirming auditions, and attending meetings/auditions 
• Always email. Phone lines are lighting up at all hours of the day and night, and are reserved for casting/production/directors 
• Read EVERY line of an email twice before emailing questions. The answer is 9/10 right in the correspondence 
• Time change requests – Your agent doesn’t set these times, so no, they can’t change them 
• Schedule yourself as though this were your job..IT IS YOUR JOB!! Write down (and have it easily accessible) all your Confirmed shoot dates, Outside dates if you are booked, but no dates have been confirmed and Auditions 
• Do Not confirm conflicting dates 
• Be accountable         

Acting agents utilise a unique blend of customer service and marketing skills to give their talents the tools they need to succeed. Be receptive to their advice, and give them back just as much dedication. Your efforts won’t go unrewarded!