Normally, you would have to put together a huge list of all LA-based talent agencies – which is what I had to do for myself – then go through that list and pick which firms represent actors, because many of the LA agencies work exclusively with writers only, or hosts, or entertainers, new media talent (YouTube, Instagram, Twitch), and so on.

The below list of top acting agencies in Los Angeles solves this problem. Originally, I’ve intended to put this list together just for myself so that I can effectively do 2-3 rounds of mailing submissions and follow-ups, and then stay in touch with talent agencies using social media, emails, phones, and tracking their sites. Once I got a lot of it down, I realized that this may be a helpful resource for many other aspiring actor in Los Angeles.

So, I’ve done some more research into this to make sure the information is accurate, expand the number of acting agencies, and “dress it up.” Now the list has most of the best agencies in Los Angeles, ranked by how powerful they are in the industry, and all of which are looking to represent actors and new media entertainers.

I’ve also included all the essential details for every agency which you may find useful if you’re doing more than one round of submissions and staying proactive with your search of representation. You will need this information not only for your research process, but also for getting in touch with acting agents and making connections, mailing your materials, whether by email or snail mail (I’ve indicated whenever that was possible on which method you should use), and any other creative ways you can find.

“If I had three hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend the first hour sharpening the axe.” – Abraham Lincoln

How to Use This List Most Effectively

The first thing you need to pay attention to is how big and powerful a talent agency is. This list has been ordered from the largest talent agencies in Los Angeles all the way through mid-sized firms and into boutique agencies. Keep in mind that even though the best efforts have been made to keep these numbers as accurate as possible, the Hollywood industry changes on a weekly basis with agencies signing new clients and new deals, so just like a stock market, it will continue to fluctuate constantly.

Another important point to make is that there is no official or scientific approach to ranking LA acting agencies past the number 30 or so. This is somewhat arbitrary and based mostly on the agency’s client list and specific names, how many agents they have and how experienced those acting agents are, how well-connected the agency is within the Los Angeles industry, and more. The further down the list you go, the harder this ranking becomes since those agencies are far less known, which means toward the end of the list, most boutique agencies are almost all on the same or similar level in terms of how much power they have.

With that being said, this list of agencies for aspiring actors has more to offer than simply ranking all LA talent firms by how powerful and known they are. It took many weeks of research, analysis and me putting it together for this list to become the most comprehensive and helpful resource for new actors with no agents, so I recommend you take a full advantage of it.

Let’s go through all the details provided for each talent agency, and what you can do with that information. As you scroll down to any agency on the list, what you’ll see is the following:

Address – this is agency’s location and their mailing address which you use to send them your materials, drop-off your material in person or come for a meeting if invited (you can even drop-by to talk to someone at the agency, but this rarely results in anything substantial for actors).

Phone – talent agency’s primary phone number which you can use if you have a good reason, but do not call about getting signed and submissions unless specifically stated that you should.

Email – if email is included, that means you can contact the agency over email with any questions, but only submit your materials over email if specifically indicated to do so.

Website – acting agency’s website will sometimes provide additional information for the actor to learn more about the firm. I recommend that if the agency has an “About” page, or any other details about themselves, you read and study everything to better understand who you may potentially work with. Some also have names of agents, more email addresses and other details that may not have been included in the details on this list since they can update the site at any time.

Social Media – most important ones are Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. If an agency has active social media page(s), that’s a good sign for actors. Start by following them, see what they post and learn more about the firm. Occasionally, it may result in a contact through natural conversations; however, note that 99% of agents in LA will not meet with an actor who submits themselves over social media (consider this approach to be frowned upon). It’s just good to have their pages for other reasons which I mention below.

Agents – this is simply a number of acting agents the firm has on staff, which gives you an idea of how big they are. The number also shows you the agent-to-clients ratio, which tells you how much attention you may get from this agency should you get signed. For example, if an agency has only 1 employee on staff who also runs the agency itself, and over 100 clients, you may not be the most important on their roster, if get any attention at all.

Represented Clients – this is the number of creatives they have as clients. Again, it shows how big the firm is; however, a huge number of clients doesn’t always mean that it’s a good thing, and that’s for two reasons. First, use the previously mentioned agent-to-client ratio to see how likely you are to get a sufficient amount of attention from the agency. Second, it’s not all about the number of clients but rather who those clients are – one name can bring more business to them than 50 creatives combined.

Represents Ages – this figure will let you know whether this talent firm even has a department for you. Even though ages are mentioned in numbers, it mostly breaks down into categories like these: kids, youth, adults (roughly). Simply look at the number to learn if it’s worth submitting.

Submission Policy – this is a very important detail because it tells you specifically what to do and what not to do. Some agencies will accept any type of submissions, while some want them only over email or through regular mail, and others will not accept mailings but will accept invitations to showcases, and so on. Pay attention to this policy and try to stick to it the best you can.Quick side note: A lot of firms do not disclose their submission policy so actors often have to go by industry standards in those cases (you’ll notice the pattern as you scroll through the list). Most agencies will not want unsolicited mailings, but many actors still go ahead and submit them anyway. I cannot advise one way or the other, so it’s up to you how you’d like to proceed in this case. There are pretty much no cons to submitting to all the agencies using regular mail (not email, which is far less effective) other than your time and money potentially wasted.

Submit to Agent(s) – in here you can find names of talent agents you should address. You should always submit to a specific agent rather than the agency itself. Some firms will have just one or two names, while bigger ones will have ten and more. There really is no way to tell which agent is best to submit to, so all you can do is research their name further (starting simply with Google and checking their LinkedIn profile as well) and making a decision that way. If you cannot find any help in deciding, then pick one name and submit to that agent with a cover letter.

Description – this is just a general description of the actor agency, with some additional information that’s not as vital but may still be helpful. Wherever that was possible, I’ve included their history, how they got established, who the agency is run by, and any controversial stuff about them. I’ve covered their clientele, what known names they are representing, how you can submit to this agency, what you should expect from them, and more. It’s just a few paragraphs, so it definitely wouldn’t hurt to read it and know a little more about a firm you’re applying to.

Using all the above information, you can make your submission process a lot more effective and get better results. You’ll know exactly if the agency is a good fit for you, and how to approach them, and whom to contact. You can also use their email, phone and/or social media contacts to follow agency’s updates and/or follow-up on submissions (which I strongly recommend that you do) about two weeks after you’ve sent them all the material. Stay proactive and it will pay off, but don’t become a memorable nuisance.

With regards to social media, it’s very helpful to know agency’s (or, better yet, specific agents’) Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages. Other than the reasons I’ve mentioned above, you can also use these to understand whether you have any common connections with a potential talent agent – a very valuable opener when trying to submit to them, or  even better, have someone you may know refer you to that acting agency or agent (this is the gold standard of approaching agents). Again, make sure not to submit yourself to agencies through social media.

Below I’ve provided some quick tips and guidelines on how to submit to agents in Hollywood or anywhere else in the US, advice on how to write a cover letter for an agent, and what not to do when submitting as an actor. I recommend you read through this information before delving into the list of talent firms. Try to optimize the approach you take the best you can so as to reap the benefits as soon as possible.

Mass Mailings vs Targeted Agencies

This list has been created to make it easier for you to email or mail your material to a large number of agencies almost at once in hopes to get a meeting with them. Many would advise that mass mailings don’t work as well as mailing to a targeted list of about 20-30 agents, and that’s true.

However, here’s my take on this: it all comes down to how much you can afford.

You can target 20-30 agencies and stop there. But if money is not an obstacle for you, then what harm is there in mailing 60, 90, and even all 150 talent agencies in LA? There is none. The worst thing that can happen is that your submission is going to end up in a trash bin. There’s no actual blacklist.

You can even go through the whole list and structure it in your own way. Pick 20-30 agencies that you think are most likely to be interested in you, and put those first on the list. Then, pick another 20-30 and put those below the first batch. Repeat the process until you have all 150 in order. Once that’s done, go in order of importance and start mailing – send as many submission as you can afford, preferrably all of them in a short span of time.

How to Submit to Talent Agents

If you’d ask any Los Angeles based talent agent today on how should actors begin the process of getting an agent, they would all tell you that the very first thing you must do is research the industry and find talent agencies that may potentially accept you (“that are a good fit for you,” is what actors will typically hear).

But just because one agency won’t give you a meeting does not mean that another firm wouldn’t be interested. Fortunately, this job has already been done for you – you’ve got the agencies list, and the time-consuming part of the “research” process is out of the way.

But you still have plenty of work to do. You need to scroll through this list, and pick talent agencies that you would like to submit to and then do a round of mailings through email or using regular mail (maybe both, depending on your strategy).

The list has been broken down into several different categories – from “best” (meaning biggest and most powerful) talent agencies to smaller ones (boutique agencies with a smaller power rank). As you probably already know, for any new actor in LA, it will be much more difficult to get any meeting with one of those celebrity or powerhouse agencies, while boutique LA agencies are hungrier for new actors, even if you have little experience.

I can already hear you wondering: “Should I even try to submit to any of the large agencies like WME, CAA, ICM or any agency from a top 20-30 part of the list?” The answer is: yes, you most certainly can. Again, it all comes down to how much time and money you can afford to waste on this.

How likely are you to get invited into a meeting with a CAA as someone with no substantial work on your resume? Not very likely (but not impossible, either). The only con of doing that is that you will have to spend more money on creating your mailing packages. However, if you’re not behind on your rent and have a dollar to spare, it doesn’t hurt to try your luck. Even though it’s unlikely, other actors have gotten meetings using cold submissions before.

What to Submit to Acting Agents?

The submission package that you send to the agency using regular snail mail is pretty simple and straightforward. All you need to have in the envelope are the following items:

1. Resume
2. Headshot
3. Cover letter

This’s it – the whole package should contain three pieces of paper total. You don’t have to add any extras like actor postcards, additional list of your credits or skills, personal statement essays, or coupons to Starbucks. Save that investment for later, because those coupons will come in handy.

Resume. If you’re new to the industry, put whatever you have in terms of credits and training on your resume. If you’ve been around for a little while, pick the most important credits and use those. Try to keep the resume as succinct as possible to minimize the workload for the agent; they’ll love you for it.

Relevant: More advice on acting resumes

Headshot. I would highly recommend to invest in a really good set of headshots. Not only does an experienced photographer knows how to sell your specific look, but the agent will also see that you’re not an amateur and understand the importance of investing into your career. These things matter.

Relevant: More advice on headshots

Cover letter. This is the least important piece in the package, yet it must be included anyway. Even though many agents have said they don’t read cover letters, some still do. Not including one shows a level of unprofessionalism and, frankly, laziness. See tips below on how to write a cover letter.

How to Write a Cover Letter

These are just some quick tips for your cover letter that you should include alongside your headshot and resume. Even though it may not be read, you should still put the effort in case someone does read it.

1. Address the agent by name. This is very important – do not address the agency; don’t use “sir” or “madam” in your cover letter either. You should have a name of a specific agent working at the firm and use that instead. Names of the agents are included under every agency in this list.
2. Keep it very short. Forget the standard cover letters you’d send for a regular job interview. Do not write more than 2-3 (!) sentences. Talent agents get hundreds of submissions every week, so they don’t have the time to read it. Put only the most important things in your cover letter.
3. Do not mention your credits. Anything that’s already on your resume does not need to be mentioned, unless it’s of really substantial value (see below). Other than that, you don’t have to repeat that you’ve worked on this show or that play because the agent will see it on the resume.
4. Do not describe your looks. Same as above, your headshot will tell/show the agent everything he or she needs to know. Don’t waste characters on describing how you look, and never – I repeat, never – compare yourself to any well-known actors (it’s a pet peeve of most agents).
5. Be succinct. You need to keep it short, so pick only the essential things to mention: any awards you’ve won, your most important progress as an actor, a reputable drama school you’ve studied at, any relationships you have with a big-name casting directors/directors/producers, etc.
6. Use your personality. It’s okay to be yourself. This is not your usual cover letter, remember? You’re an actor, so avoid sounding like a corporate drone and add a touch of who you are. Finding an original way of saying “hello” may raise the chance of your cover letter being read.
7. Mention the referral. If you’re submitting to an agent through a referral, remind them of that in the very first sentence. An agent will always pay attention to someone who’s been referring an actor (you) to him or her, and it’s the best way to get a meeting with a talent agent in LA.
8. Spell check! There’s nothing worse than a cover letter demonstrating the actor’s failure at grammar and syntax. Make sure you check your cover letter many times for any errors.

These are just very simple, common sense type of things that all of us sometimes miss. I would strongly advise you to stick to every one of these industry standard “rules” when writing your cover letter.

Now, with all of that out of the way, it’s time to start referring to the list and send those submissions.

Top 10 Celebrity Agencies

1. Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

• Address: 2000 Avenue of the Stars # 100, Los Angeles, CA 90067
• Phone: (424) 288-2000
• Email: info@caa.com
• Website: https://www.caa.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/caaspeakers
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Creative-Artists-Agency-153306451349620/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/creative-artists-agency
• Agents: 334
• Represented Clients: 3,701
• Represents Ages: 18-64
• Submission Policy: Industry referral only. No unsolicited submissions. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Richard Lovett, Rob Light, Kevin Huvane, Bryan Lourd, David O’Connor, Steven Lafferty, Michael Mand, Beth McClinton

One of the most prestigious talent agencies in Los Angeles, more commonly referred to as CAA, has a roster full of the highest-profile actors and a proven track record of winning its clients significant paychecks, CAA is the upmost tier for actors seeking a big break in LA.

The agency got its start in 1975, when five agents joined together in Century City. They were without significant funding, and relied on folding tables and chairs to win their first clients. Within its first week, CAA sold three packages, one of which was The Jackson 5ive. The agency grew quickly, earning around $90 million in booking each year by the end of the 1980s.

As changes occurred and CAA grew even greater in influence and revenue, its celebrity clientele expanded too. The agency came to represent nearly 1,500 of the top actors in Hollywood with approximately $150 million in revenue each year by the late 1990s. It’s unlikely that CAA will leave its position as one of top talent agencies in Los Angeles anytime soon. CAA doesn’t simply help its stars secure bookings; the agency offers career assistance and financial specialists to cover any need.

Today, CAA has many different divisions in addition to the common film and television acting. That, and unique divisions such as CAA Marketing, which works with brands and corporations. Also CAA Sports, which features agents who solely represent athletes. That sets it apart from many other agencies. CAA is more than a top Los Angeles talent agency — it sits with the best around the world.

2. William Morris Endeavor (WME)

• Address: 9601 Wilshire Blvd 3rd Fl Beverly Hills, CA 90210
• Phone: (310) 285-9000 / (310) 859-4085 / (310) 248-2000
• Email: See website for every agent’s email address
• Website: https://www.wmeentertainment.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/wme
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wmeentertainment/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/william-morris-endeavor
• Agents: 305
• Represented Clients: 4,613
• Represents Ages: 18+
• Submission Policy: Industry referral only. No unsolicited submissions. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Jason Lublin, Carole Katz, Christian Muirhead, Patrick Whitesell, Brandt Joel, Andrew Dunlap

The product of a merger between William Morris Agency and Endeavor, WME is not only a top acting agency in LA but also the largest talent agency in the international market. With talent that includes the Rolling Stones, John Travolta, and Clint Eastwood, it’s a sure bet that WME will get you where you wish to go.

Originally, William Morris Agency and The Endeavor Talent Agency worked separately within the same city, though WMA had a storied, 100-year history of representing talent. While WMA had over a century worth of experience and expertise, Endeavor grew quickly and became one of the fastest-growing agencies just before the two companies joined forces.

When the two entities merged in April of 2009, they became a celebrity agency in Hollywood. Today, their combined efforts as WME represent talent in every arena: movies, TV, music, theatre, digital and publishing, and even the NFL. It occupies a solid first position on my list of top talent agencies in Los Angeles. WME is also strong internationally which gives it a slight advantage over CAA (listed below).

3. ICM Partners

• Address: 10250 Constellation Blvd, 9th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067
• Phone: +1 310 550 4000
• Email: careersla@icmtalent.com
• Website: https://www.icmpartners.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/icmpartners
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICMPartners/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/icm-partners
• Agents: 164
• Represented Clients: 2303
• Represents Ages: 2+
• Submission Policy: Industry referral only. No unsolicited submissions. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Chris Silbermann, Jessica Lacy, Robert Gibbs, Dennis Ashley, Erik Horine, Dan Norton, Pete Stone, Doug Johnson, Sean Freidin, Hilary Baum McQuaide

Similarly steeped in Hollywood’s acting history, International Creative Management is known for representing talented comedians and stars of both film and TV. It’s been one of the top talent agencies in Los Angeles for a while. Although it may be better known for foreign films rather than U.S. blockbusters, it’s a firm in competition with CAA and WME for the best of the best.

ICM represents clients not only in Los Angeles, but also in Europe and on the eastern coast of the United States. Founded in 1975 when Creative Management Associates and International Famous Agency merged into one single agency, ICM has grown immensely.

Just recently, in 2012, the agency gained a new name and a new partnership. It’s been one of the top talent agencies in Los Angeles for years, however. Whether it’s acting, or live performance, or literary publishing, or branded entertainment is what you’re after, ICM deals with these divisions and more.

4. United Talent Agency (UTA)

• Address: 9336 Civic Center Drive Beverly Hills, CA 90210
• Phone: (310) 273-6700
• Email: info@unitedtalent.com
• Website: https://www.unitedtalent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/UTAFoundation
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/United-Talent-Agency-298558573656239/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-talent-agency
• Agents: 192
• Represented Clients: 3,674
• Represents Ages: 18+
• Submission Policy: Industry referral only. No unsolicited submissions. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Jeremy Zimmer, James Berkus, Peter Benedek, David Kramer, Tracey Jacobs, Jay Sures, Josh Hornstock

One of Hollywood’s long-lasting and reputable talent agencies, United Talent Agency represents both actors and filmmakers who seek to break onto the competitive entertainment scene. Another household name, UTA has been one of top talent agencies in Los Angeles for quite some time.

If you’re a director, actor, or even producer, you should keep your eye on UTA. As one of the largest agencies not just in LA but the world, UTA hosts over 200 agents who represent talent that ranges from movies and TV to below the line talent and video games. When it first began, UTA formed as the result of a merger between the Bauer-Benedek and Leading Artists Agencies. It appears that mergers are a trend among agencies in Hollywood.

Once under the name of a single company, UTA took off and garnered immense success as its first packages included The Simpsons and The Wonder Years. They also got successful with talents like Joel and Ethan Coen, Larry David, and Mike Myers. Over the years, UTA has grown into a huge creatives powerhouse agency for talent internationally and at home here in LA.

5. Paradigm Talent Agency

• Address: 9336 Civic Center Drive Beverly Hills, CA 90210
• Phone: (310) 273-6700
• Email: info@unitedtalent.com
• Website: https://www.paradigmagency.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/musicparadigm
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicparadigm/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/paradigm-talent-agency
• Agents: 123
• Represented Clients: 2,180
• Represents Ages: 18+
• Submission Policy: Industry referral only. No unsolicited submissions. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Sam Gores, Todd Quinn, Scott Buckland, Joel Rudnick, Craig Wagner, Lawrence Antoine, Erwin More, Alisa Adler

Headquartered in the famous, fancy and wealthy Beverly Hills, Paradigm is a top talent agency known for fostering the careers of independent film stars. If starting your career off in a Sundance-based film sounds enticing, one day Paradigm may be the top talent agency for you.

With offices scattered throughout the United States, Paradigm hosts more than 150 different agents who each represent a great variety of talent. They have their toes dipped in movies, television, music and live performance, comedy, endorsements, and many more divisions.

In recent years, the agency has expanded significantly into the Electronic Dance Music (EDM) arena by joining forces with the EDM talent agency AM Only. Now they represent stars like Skrillex and David Guetta, further establishing it as one of the top talent agencies in Los Angeles.

Just two years ago, Paradigm grew its representation and influence within the music industry even more when it acquired half of the U.K.’s Coda Music Agency. Today, Paradigm is one of the most varied and versatile agencies in both Los Angeles and the nation.

6. The Gersh Agency

• Address: 9465 Wilshire Blvd # 600 6th Fl Beverly Hills, CA 90212
• Phone: (310) 274-6611
• Email: info@gersh.com
• Website: https://www.gershagency.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegershagency
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gershproduction/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gersh-agency
• Agents: 99
• Represented Clients: 2,364
• Represents Ages: 13-64
• Submission Policy: Industry referral only. No unsolicited submissions. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Bob Gersh, David Gersh, Leslie Siebert, Marie Perry, Rick Greenstein, David DeCamillo, Ken Kaplan

Known throughout Hollywood and Los Angeles as TGA and Gersh, The Gersh Agency is a family affair. Supremely successful and featuring a host of famous talent, it’s an agency know for taking young actors and turning them into professional actors.

Created by Phil Gersh in 1949, Gersh has grown since its first years in the world of literary and talent representation. Today, the agency boasts more than 100 employees, 60 agents, and an office on each coast, making it yet another strong competitor among all other top talent agencies in Los Angeles.

Gersh is a top talent agency that is strong enough to be considered one of the powerhouses in LA. However, just because the top five spots have already been taken, I had to place it down here. Generally, they’re known as one of the most desired for talent agencies in LA to be represented by, and their roster of clients is no less impressive than those top five listed above.

7. Agency for the Performing Arts (APA)

• Address: 405 S Beverly Dr Beverly Hills, CA 90212
• Phone: (310) 888-4200
• Email: careers@apa-agency.com
• Website: https://www.apa-agency.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/apaagency
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APA-Agency-288387294653225/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/apa-talent-and-literary-agency
• Agents: 94
• Represented Clients: 2,530
• Represents Ages: 18-64
• Submission Policy: Industry referral only. Accepts postcards and invitations. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Barry McPherson, Nick Neisser, Sasha Passero, Anise Molina

If you wish to do comedy or music on top of your acting career goals, the Agency for the Performing Arts is the perfect fit. Founded in the year 1962 by agents who left MCA, APA has become known for its roster of famous comedians, metal band like Judas Priest and Poison, and major motion picture actors.

It’s a top acting agency that has something for everyone. Early clients included Johnny Cash, The Doors, and Liberace. Today, APA is no small agency — they have grown to represent even bigger names. APA has been steadily holding its position as one of top talent agencies Los Angeles for a long time.

With a roster of divisions that includes every media platform, APA represents talent in film, television, theatre, and even digital publishing, to name a few. If you’re an up and coming star who hopes to turn your dreams into a worldwide lifestyle brand, APA is the perfect agency to keep tabs on. The team is familiar with building and selling brands like the Kardashians, Bombardier, and Marriott, which should tell you something.

8. Innovative Artists

• Address: 1505 10th St Santa Monica, CA 90401
• Phone: (310) 656-0400
• Email: talent@iala.com
• Website: https://www.innovativeartists.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ia_talentagency
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Innovative-Artists-203429799742264/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovative-artists
• Agents: 70
• Represented Clients: 2,425
• Represents Ages: 2+
• Submission Policy: Industry referral only. No unsolicited submissions. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Jayme Yarow, Scott Harris, Nevin Dolcefino, Jonathan Coronel, Debbie Haeusler, Marcia Hurwitz, Jonathan Howard, Lucas Kosoglad, Josiah Akinyele

If you’re on the younger side of the Los Angeles’ showbiz talent pool, you’ll want to court the attention of Innovative Artists. This eighth one of the best talent agencies in Los Angeles, which represents Lilla Crawford and G. Hannelius, is known for scooping up young talent before they break onto the scene.

Innovative Artists describes itself as an agency with a distinctive niche, one that offers its talent very personalized representation and service. With 25 years in the entertainment industry under its belt, Innovative Artists has become known for one quality in particular: excellent service for those it represents. I’ve heard actors say good things about it too.

According to their own site, clients come first at this agency (one should hope so), and the agents themselves build strong relationships with those they represent. So even though while their client list may not look as impressive as those agencies listed above, this agency is just as strong any other I’ve mentioned in my second tier part of the list.

Finally, remember that an agency like this who has leverage in Hollywood but isn’t as big may be the best deal. That’s because they will be able to focus on you more rather than spread their attention across many different clients who may be “more important.”

9. Abrams Artists Agency

• Address: 9200 Sunset Blvd. 11th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90069
• Phone: (310) 859-0625
• Email: contactla@abramsartists.com
• Website: https://www.abramsartists.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aaacommercials
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Abrams-Artists-Agency-Youth-Commercial-Division-323414454453535/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abrams-artists-agency
• Agents: 51
• Represented Clients: 2,692
• Represents Ages: 0+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail only. Accepts postcards and invites to showcases. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Miles Lozano, Harry Abrams, Neal Altman, Robert Attermann, Marni Rosenzweig, Jeremy Apody, Pamela Fisher, Sharon Paz, Justin Baxter, Ashley Partington

A Hollywood and Los Angeles staple since its inception in 1977, Abrams Artist Agency represents actors in every realm of the entertainment industry. They’re good for theater, animated film and television, TV, radio, commercials, and even event hosting.

It’s a top talent agency that’s enjoyed a fantastic reputation since its creation. Over its decades working in the entertainment industry, Abrams Artists Agency has made its name by becoming one of the most diversified in both Los Angeles and New York.

With so many different divisions, including a literary division and a currently growing and increasingly popular youth division of actors and performers, there’s truly a niche for any actor within Abrams, provided you’ve built a solid body of work or have a very marketable look. You’ll benefit from being a client of theirs the most if you also want to pursue voice over jobs as well as written works, but signing with them is just as difficult.

10. Don Buchwald & Associates

• Address: 6500 Wilshire Blvd # 2200 Los Angeles, CA 90048
• Phone: (323) 655-7400
• Email: info@buchwald.com
• Website: https://www.buchwald.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/dbaagency
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DBAagency/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/don-buchwald-&-associates
• Agents: 38
• Represented Clients: 1,143
• Represents Ages: 2+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail only. Accepts postcards and invitations. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Don Buchwald, Richard Basch, Ricki Olshan, Robyn Stecher, Stephen Fisher, Kevin McEleney, Joanne Nici

Last one on our list of top talent agencies Los Angeles but by no means least is Don Buchwald and Associates group, otherwise known as DBA. Back in 1977 when Don Buchwald, the agent, has left a commercial talent agency called Atlas Talent Agency, he formed his own in New York City with five other partners.

In 2010, they have finally opened an office in West Hollywood and now continue to grow in size very rapidly. Their biggest office remains in NYC where they own a building with six floors, all fully staffed. Even though their original niche was commercials, they are now a very strong theatrical agency representing some of the biggest stars in Hollywood.

With DBA’s constant signing of bigger names, this agency is quickly climbing up the ranks, and will likely be a lot higher in my 2017’s top talent agencies in Los Angeles list update. I’ve seen and heard actors and filmmakers discuss the agency far more often in 2016 than it was back in 2013. So if you get an offer from these guys, do not shy away (does this beg a “duh”?)

Top 10 Powerhouse Talent Agencies

11. Greene & Associates Talent Agency

• Address: 1901 Avenue of the Stars # 130 Los Angeles, CA 90067
• Phone: +1 310 550 9333
• Email: michael@greenetalent.com
• Website: http://greeneandassociates.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 6
• Represented Clients: 150
• Represents Ages: 13-64
• Submission Policy: Industry referral only. No unsolicited submissions. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Michael Greene, Azeem Chiba, Ethan Salter, Jen Beaton, Kiernan McCaffrey, JJ Johnson, Sam Scheller, Christine Torreele

Greene & Associates Talent Agency is located in Century City, CA, and currently has about 150 clients, many of them high-profile actors. Clients represented by the agency include Golden Globe winning Francesca Eastwood, known for her performance in True Crime, and Aidan Gillen, who has appeared in Game of Thrones (with five award wins on his resume). The agency represents mainly actors in film, TV, and commercial projects, but does also represent comedians.

Although the agency is very small, with only 6 members of staff employed, its clientele goes to show that this agency is a good option for actors seeking agencies who are already well established.

When initiating contact with this agency, actors need to consider several things. First of all, the agency does not have a website, so they can be reached by either phone or email (via Michael Greene, the owner). A second point is that the agency accepts only submissions by industry referral.

12. TalentWorks

• Address: 3500 W Olive Ave # 1400 Burbank, CA 91505
• Phone: +1 818 972 4300
• Email: mailroom@talentworksny.com
• Website: https://www.talentworks.us/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/talentworks/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talentworks_2
• Agents: 13
• Represented Clients: 642
• Represents Ages: 18+ (Commercial), 18-64 (Theater)
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail only. No unsolicited demos. Accepts postcards and invitations to showcases. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Harry Gold, Suzanne Wohl, Marina Cook, Brandy Gold, Jason Hyman, August Kammer, Marion Kammer, Brian Duensing, Mandy Karns, Matt Fletcher

TalentWorks is in it for the long haul, having been in business for over 30 years. With an estimated 642 clients, the agency represents both on screen actors, including those working in commercials, as well as actors working in theatre. The agency has represented many famous faces, including Mayim Bialik, known for her performance in The Big Bang Theory.

TalentWorks has offices in both New York City and Los Angeles, and is run by the owner Harry Gold. The company is affiliated with several associations, including SAG-AFTRA and Association of Talent Agents.

It should be noted that TalentWorks does not take any submissions which are not industry referrals. To reach their offices, actors should send material to their email address with “Attn: Talent Submission” as the subject. To otherwise get in contact with the agency, actors should use their phone number or fax.

13. Stone Manners Salners Agency (SMS)

• Address: 6100 Wilshire Blvd # 1500 Los Angeles, CA 90048
• Phone: +1 323 655 1313
• Email: info@smsagency.com
• Website: https://www.smsagency.com
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stone-Manners-Salners-Agency-233605526689804/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stone-manners-salners-agency
• Agents: 14
• Represented Clients: 378
• Represents Ages: 13+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail only. Accepts postcards and invitations to showcases. Interviews by appointment only. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Scott Manners, Glenn Salners, Nicole Cataldo, Michael Place, Adrian Pellereau, Regan Frisby, Samantha Huff, Thomas Prochnow

Stone Manners Salners, occasionally labeled as SMS Agency in Los Angeles’ industry circles, is a theatrical talent agency for actors, with offices in Los Angeles, CA and New York City, NY. The agency represents mostly actors for film, television, theatre and voice over work. Even though the agency may seem a little obscure due to a lack of online presence, SMS may not be the best choice for actors new to the industry.

This talent agency is fairly secretive and does not disclose a lot of information about themselves, but people from the inside had positive things to say about SMS. At the time of this writing, the agency has fourteen theatrical agents working with about 26-29 clients, majority of whom are film and television actors with several actors working in voice overs.

Stone Manners Salners Agency has multiple agents who are relatively well-known behind the scene of the industry, with some of the names including Nicole Cataldo (LA, talent), Scott Manners (LA, talent and partner), Regan Frisby (LA, talent) and Ben Sands (NY, talent). Even though the agency is quite small compared to others close to its ranking position, SMS continues to gain momentum in star power rankings, which is what catapulted this agency to be fairly high on a list.

14. Cunningham Escott Slevin & Doherty (CESD)

• Address: 10635 Santa Monica Blvd # 130 Los Angeles, CA 90025
• Phone: +1 310 475 2111
• Email: info@cesdtalent.com
• Website: https://cesdtalent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/cesdtalent
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CESDTalent/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cesd
• Agents: 37
• Represented Clients: 2610
• Represents Ages: 2+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail or drop-off. Accepts voiceover demos by email (include links, not attachments). Interviews by appointment only.
• Submit to Agent(s): Steve Hammel, Ken Slevin, Paul Doherty, David Ziff, Carol Scott, Mitchell Gossett, Michael Parisi, Adrienne Berg, Melissa Berger, Cathey Lizzio, Dedra Galiher

Cunningham Escott Slevin & Doherty offers representation for actors and other creatives covering a wide range of entertainment, including, but not limited to: dancers, commercial actors, and hosts. For actors working with voice over, this agency is a particularly attractive choice, as it has more than 7 different divisions for voice over alone, including animation, commercial, and gaming.

Regarding clientele, the agency boasts more than 2,600 clients, and has offices in both New York City and Los Angeles. Although the agency naturally represents adults, it also has a specific division directed to representation of young actors.

Although the first steps to forming the agency were taken already back in the early 1970’s, the company celebrated its 10th year anniversary in 2015. Asides from being well-rooted into the entertainment industry, the agency also has a strong social media presence on sites like Facebook, and have a website. When contacting the agency, actors are advised to send their headshots and resumes by email and to attach links instead of files.

15. Domain Talent

• Address: 9229 Sunset Blvd # 710 Los Angeles, CA 90069
• Phone: +1 310 888 8500
• Email: N/A
• Website: N/A
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 5
• Represented Clients: 89
• Represents Ages: 18-64
• Submission Policy: Industry referral only. No unsolicited submissions. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Melisa Spamer, Joe Vance, Shekenah Keith, Ashley Newberry, and Raquel Kernyansky.

Domain Talent is a relatively small talent agency compared to the above giants, with less than 100 clients and a small staff of hard working acting agents, but they’re easily one of the top places for representation in Los Angeles. The agency holds a high star power ranking and has represented well-known actors such as ALMA award winning Gina Torres.

The agency is located between Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, and is run by executives Joe Vance and Melisa Spamer. The agency has little or no information published about themselves on the Internet, and it appears as though they do not have a website or email address. In order to reach them, actors can either phone or fax them.

16. The Kohner Agency

• Address: 9300 Wilshire Blvd # 555 Beverly Hills, CA 90212
• Phone: +1 310 550 1060
• Email: stephen@paulkohner.com
• Website: https://paulkohner.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 6
• Represented Clients: 90
• Represents Ages: 18-64
• Submission Policy: Industry referral only. No unsolicited submissions. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Pearl Wexler, Stephen Moore, Samantha Crisp, Amanda Glazer, John Coffey

The Kohner Agency is located in Beverly Hills, California and represents actors working in theatre, television and film. The agency clearly states that it has a smaller clientele (currently at short of 100 clients) as it is very select. The age of represented clientele ranges between 18-64 years of age.

What’s unique about this agency is that it also represents screenwriters and book authors. The agency, in its own words, says that it is involved with over 20 publishing houses, which may benefit actors too.

For actors considering sending their resumes to this agency, The Kohner Agency is adamant on accepting absolutely no unsolicited materials. This policy includes calls.

17. BRS / Gage Talent Agency

• Address: 5757 Wilshire Blvd # 659 Los Angeles, CA 90036
• Phone: +1 323 857 6666
• Email: brsgage@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.brsgage.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 9
• Represented Clients: 541
• Represents Ages: 18-64
• Submission Policy: Industry referral only. No unsolicited submissions. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): David Shaul, Martin Gage, Adam Lazarus, Amy Abell–Rosenfield, Craig Feblowitz, Mike Seiler

The BRS/Gage Talent Agency, having offices in both Los Angeles and New York City, is yet another one of the star LA talent agencies. They have about 540 clients and many well-connected agents, as well as successful actors like Dale Dickey who is known for performances in films like Iron Man 3 and shows like True Blood.

From its clientele list, it appears that BRS/Gage Talent Agency represents mainly actors working in television or film and not much else.

The agency does have a website and an email and does specify some requirements for submission of actors’ material. The agency does not appear to have any social media presence.

18. Osbrink Talent Agency

• Address: 4343 Lankershim Blvd # 100 Universal City, CA 91602
• Phone: +1 818 760 2488
• Email: contact@osbrinkagency.com
• Website: https://osbrinkagency.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/OsbrinkAgency
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheOsbrinkAgency/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-osbrink-agency
• Agents: 14
• Represented Clients: 766
• Represents Ages: 0+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail or use the website. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Cindy Osbrink, Scott Wine, Dawn Osbrink, Angela Strange, Emily Urbani, Yasmine Pearl, Robert Saulog, Olivia Reed, Maureen Rose, Brooke Kolisar, Murjani Gaither

A relatively famous Osbrink Talent Agency has over 760 represented clients and proudly presents itself as an agency which integrates many different services, including publicity, to provide its clients with. The agency has several different divisions, which include areas of entertainment and acting such as voice over, commercials, modelling, and theatre.

Osbrink has a specific focus surrounding young actors as well as voice over acting. The latter includes voice over work in animations, radio, and video games to name a few examples.

Osbrink has its offices in Universal City, CA, and can be reached via the email address or on their website. Upon submission, the agency requires a resume, a headshot, a demo reel, plus specific information about the actor’s appearance and their date of birth. The email’s subject line needs to include the type of representation sought by the actor.

19. AKA Talent Agency

• Address: 6310 San Vicente Blvd # 200 Los Angeles, CA 90048
• Phone: +1 323 965 5600
• Email: aka@akatalent.com
• Website: https://www.akatalent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/akatalentagency
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AKA-Talent-Agency-220288141339166/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aka-talent-agency
• Agents: 11
• Represented Clients: 791
• Represents Ages: 2-64
• Submission Policy: Industry referral preferred. Unsolicited materials by mail only. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Doug Ely, Mike Abrams, Pamela Porter, Larry Hummel, Gregg Klein, Jeremy Jones, Chip Hooley, David Stieve, Julie Fulop, Kerri Boyd, Michael Brooks, Lo Brown, TJ O’Brien

AKA Talent Agency pride themselves on representing a broad range of creative talent. AKA’s powerful agents currently represent about 791 name, and has have several different divisions, including theatrical, commercial and youth. Youth are represented from ages 4-25 years old, and include voice over actors as well as actors who pursue film and TV acting.

What makes AKA Talent Agency stand out from other agencies is that it also represents celebrities, and that the agency is very engaged with clients’ “off screen” presence – that is to say, events such as book signings and advertising campaigns or whatnot.

AKA was formed in the late 1990s, and hold offices south of West Hollywood. Whilst industry referrals are viewed as a plus, according to their site they do permit unsolicited material. However, they will not respond to all submissions due to an overwhelming amount of material continuously being sent in to the agency.

20. Global Artists Agency

• Address: 6253 Hollywood Blvd # 508 Los Angeles, CA 90028
• Phone: +1 323 836 0320
• Email: info@globalartistsagency.net
• Website: https://globalartistsagency.net/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-artists-agency
• Agents: 4
• Represented Clients: 189
• Represents Ages: 2-64
• Submission Policy: Industry referral only. No unsolicited submissions. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): April Lim, Monica Barkett, Todd Maginn, Ryan Olson

Global Artists Agency has its offices located in the heart of Hollywood, and currently has short of 190 represented clients. The agency represents a wide range of entertainment industry areas, including on screen actors, directors, comedians, dancers, and hosts. The agency also represents a wide age range, from 2-64 years old.

GAA has an “industry referral only” policy, and will not accept any submissions of unsolicited material, including drop-offs or calls.

The agency cannot be labeled as new to the game, as they claim to have been in business for at least a decade. Despite its moderate number of represented clients, the agency can add famous actors like Christian Serratos, who has appeared in productions like Twilight and The Walking Dead, to its list of serious clientele.

Top 20 Mid-sized Acting Agencies

21. Coast to Coast Talent Group

• Address: 3350 Barham Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90068
• Phone: +1 323 845 9200
• Email: hugh@ctctalent.com
• Website: https://www.ctctalent.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoastToCoastTalent/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coast-to-coast-talent-group
• Agents: 14
• Represented Clients: 1196
• Represents Ages: 2-64
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail only. Accepts postcards and invitations. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Jeremiah Doryon, Elyah Doryon, Hugh Leon, Meredith Fine, Amber Raitz, Dana Fletcher, Reagan Wallace, Colin Wiloughby, Renata Dobrucki, Sydel Lisi, Wendy Bogdan

Located just south of Universal City, CA, Coast to Coast Talent Group has been on the rise since its start in the late 1980’s, and now represents more than 1196 actors. Their agents represent folks in film and television, and also has a voice over division as well as a division dedicated to younger actors. It typically represents actors aged 2-64.

The agency puts a lot of focus on advertisement in its Print Division, which is useful for actors who are looking to get their name out there through print modeling.

Coast to Coast Talent Group appear to put significant effort into creating an online presence, as they have both a website and a Facebook page, making them visible on social media. When contacting the agency, actors should think to include headshots and resumes by mail only. The agency does not wish to be called, or receive drop offs; interviews only take place if scheduled for an appointment.

22. SMS Talent

• Address: 8383 Wilshire Blvd # 230 Beverly Hills, CA 90211
• Phone: +1 310 289 0909
• Email: N/A
• Website: https://smstalent.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMS-Talent-Agency-173533815445/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 4
• Represented Clients: 300
• Represents Ages: 18+
• Submission Policy: Industry referral only. No unsolicited submissions. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Donna Massetti, Charles Silver, Gregg Mehlman, Ian Roumain, Janna Prowell, Kevin Burke.

SMS Talent is one of the best smaller talent agencies in Los Angeles and has a considerably high star power ranking in LA, and represents well-known actors like Kevin McNally, known for his performance in The Pirates of the Caribbean. Their motto is “quality over quantity”. The agency has a relatively small staff (consisting of 4 employees) considering its number of clientele (reaching almost 300 represented clients).

SMS Talent is located in Beverly Hills and has a website for more details. The agency has been in operation for approximately 20 years, and has declared in its mission statement that it collaborates mainly with actors working in film, theater, and television.

According to its submission policy, SMS Talent only accepts industry referrals. As such, it is difficult to find any contact information in the form of an agency email. The agency collaborates only with actors aged 18 years of age and above as they don’t have a youth division.

23. Stewart Talent

• Address: 7250 Melrose Avenue # 4 Los Angeles, CA 90046
• Phone: +1 213-943-2970
• Email: phil@stewarttalent.com
• Website: https://www.stewarttalent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/stewarttalent
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StewartTalent/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stewart-talent
• Agents: 29
• Represented Clients: 720
• Represents Ages: 0+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by email. For voiceovers, send an MP3 no longer than 3 minutes. See website for additional categories and submission requirements. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Jane Stewart, Don Birge, Tim Marshall

Stewart Talent has both a large staff as well as a significant number of represented clients (currently at 709 signed names). The agency is very well established, with offices in 4 US cities; Chicago, New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. In their own words on the website, the agency says that it “represents talent in all areas of television, film, theatre, voice-over, commercial, print, industrial, theatrical directors, and stylists.”

The agency is over 3 decades old, with their newest office in LA. Stewart Talent is no stranger to social media, as it has not only a Facebook page, but also accounts on Instagram and Twitter.

When submitting to the agency, actors should consider that each office has different requirements. For example, at the time of this writing, their Atlanta division is not accepting any submissions. The website also lists that whilst it is possible to submit to Chicago offices, not all submissions will be responded to, neither of which applies to LA talent.

Upon your submission as an adult for representation within theater, film or television industries, you must include a resume, headshot, and demo reel in the mail or email.

24. SDB Partners

• Address: 315 S Beverly Dr # 411 Beverly Hills, CA 90212
• Phone: +1 310 785 0060
• Email: N/A
• Website: N/A
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 4
• Represented Clients: 153
• Represents Ages: 13+
• Submission Policy: Industry referral only. No unsolicited submissions. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Louis Bershad, Ro Diamond, Susie Schwarz, Steven Jang, Jennifer Burns

SDB Partners currently has an estimated 153 clients, including actress Kaley Cuoco, known for her role in The Big Bang Theory, and Pauley Perrette, commonly acknowledged for her performance in NCIS. The agency is relatively small staffed, yet holds an impressively high star power ranking due to their clients.

The agency is located in Beverly Hills, and does not appear to have a website or any other apparent online presence. They can be reached via phone or fax indicated above.

SDB represents actors above the age of 13 years of age working in film, television, and theater. They only accept industry referral, without exception. They are affiliated with SAG-AFTRA and Equity.

25. Amsel, Eisenstadt, Frazier & Hinojosa Talent Agency (AEFH)

• Address: 5055 Wilshire Blvd # 865 Los Angeles, CA 90036
• Phone: +1 323 939 1188
• Email: joan@aeftalent.com
• Website: https://aeftalent.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amsel-eisenstadt-and-frazier-talent-agency
• Agents: 7
• Represented Clients: 571
• Represents Ages: 4+
• Submission Policy: Submissions by mail only. Accepts postcards and invitations. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Mike Eisenstadt, Gloria Hinojosa, Nicole Jolley, Milton Perea, Jason Zenowich, Indra Rose

AEFH is led by Mike Eisenstadt, and represents more than 570 clients. The agency is located in Central Los Angeles, and represents both adult and youth theatrical and commercial actors. Aside from actors doing commercials, television and film, the acting agency also represents comedians.

AEFH requests that actors send their resumes and headshots through emails. They also accept postcards and invitations; however, interviews take place only at the initiative of the agency. They do not take in calls or drop offs.

The agency is affiliated with SAG-AFTRA and they have a website where additional information is listed. AEFH works together with Pinnacle Commercial Talent and Luciano Reeves Talent.

26. Sovereign Talent Group

• Address: 1642 Westwood Blvd # 202 Westwood, CA 90024
• Phone: +1 310 474 4000
• Email: info@sovereigntg.com
• Website: https://www.sovereigntg.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/sovereigntg
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sovereigntg/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 6
• Represented Clients: 370
• Represents Ages: 2+
• Submission Policy: Submissions over email or send a hardcopy by mail.
• Submit to Agent(s): Peter Young, Thomas Cook, Susan Havins

Sovereign Talent Group has a strong star power ranking due to their client list, and a moderately large group of represented clientele of actors, directors, writers and more. Client names include some big names such as Hulk Hogan; they have an estimated 370 other names. The agency is led by its president Peter Young and has a small staff consisting of 6 employees.

The talent agency is located in Westwood, California. It was founded in the early 2000s, and represents many different types of performers. This includes on screen actors, theater actors, voice over artists, actors working in musical theater, and much more. They represent actors aged above 2 years old.

Sovereign Talent Group can be reached through email. Regarding submissions, the agency accepts both email as well as hardcopy. The agency has a website, but it is not currently functioning.

27. Pakula/King and Associates

• Address: 9229 Sunset Blvd # 400 Los Angeles, CA 90069
• Phone: +1 310 281 4868
• Email: N/A
• Website: N/A
• Twitter:
• LinkedIn:
• Agents: 3
• Represented Clients: 111
• Represents Ages: 18-64
• Submission Policy: Industry referral only. No unsolicited submissions. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Joel King, Gabe Watkins, Ben Gorman, Mallory Fryer, Deanne Kaner

Pakula/King & Associates has its offices in West Hollywood. Although it has a small staff, its star power ranking is notably high in the industry, and it has 111 represented clients. The agency is owned by Joel King, and has represented actors from well-acquainted productions, including Barbara Hershey (Black Swan), Brianna Brown (General Hospital), and Andy Buckley (Jurassic World).

The agency represents actors aged 18-64 years old. Their represented clientele consists of television and film actors. P/K & A is affiliated with both Equity and SAG-AFTRA.

When submitting to the agency, actors should note that it has an “industry referral” only policy. It is difficult for actors who have no referral to find out more about the agency, as they appear to not have a website or any social media presence. There is very little mention of them online, apart from their physical address and phone number.

28. Mavrick Artists Agency

• Address: 8383 Wilshire Blvd # 330 Beverly Hills, CA 90211
• Phone: +1 323 931 5555
• Email: info@mavrickagency.com
• Website: https://www.mavrickartists.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/mavrickartists
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mavrick-Artists-Agency-232868803507377/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mavrick-artists
• Agents: 15
• Represented Clients: 400
• Represents Ages: 0+
• Submission Policy: Submissions by mail only. Attends showcases and accepts showcase invitations. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Mike Wilson, Bobby Moses, Heather Martin, Brad Diffley, Erick Negri, Samantha Daniels, Mindy Treitel, Penny Middlemiss, Ted Maier, Jack Maiden, Philippe Poezach

One of the oldest talent agencies, Mavrick Artists Agency advertises themselves, in their own words, as a “full service entertainment agency”. They have over 400 LA based actors as represented clientele, including Shannon Elizabeth, known for her work in American Pie. The agency is located in Beverly Hills, CA, and has been around for more than half a century.

The agency is known as one of the best LA talent agencies and represents many different types of clients, including voice over, commercial, film and television actors, as well as comedians and hosts. It also has other divisions within the entertainment industry, including sports and fashion. There is one division directed towards young talent, and the agency represents actors of all ages.

Regarding submissions, Mavrick does not accept unsolicited materials, drop offs or calls. Any interviews occur at appointment. Mavrick Artists Agency does attend actors’ showcases. When submitting material like demo reels, actors should send these via snail mail.

29. House of Representatives

• Address: 1434 6th St #1 Santa Monica, CA 90401
• Phone: +1 310 451 2345
• Email: rebecca@thehouseofreps.com
• Website: N/A
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 5
• Represented Clients: 376
• Represents Ages: 2+
• Submission Policy: Submissions by mail only. No separate submissions to each agent. Accepts postcards and invitations. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Denny Sevier, Pam Braverman, Claudine Vacca, Indra Armstrong Clark, Aurora Lizardi, Rebecca Morgan, and Diane Ambrose.

House of Representatives has a high industry power rank, and represents 375 talents, including Didi Conn (Grease) and Kara Royster (Pretty Little Liars). The agency represents actors aged 2 years and above. They represent actors working in commercials, television, film, comedy, theater, musical theater, as well as print models, hosts, and dancers.

House of Representatives is located in Santa Monica and they can be contacted via email. The agency does not appear to have their own website or social media page, so it is somewhat difficult to scope out any more information about them.

The agency is affiliated with both DGA and ATA. In terms of submission, they want headshots and resumes to be sent only via mail. They also don’t want actors to email each agent individually. They do not accept calls or drop offs; however, they do allow invitations and postcards. Regarding interviews, these take place upon scheduled appointments.

30. Media Artists Group

• Address: 8222 Melrose Ave 2nd Floor Los Angeles, CA 90046
• Phone: +1 323 658 5050
• Email: info@mediaartistsgroup.com
• Website: https://www.mediaartistsgroup.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/mediaartistsgrp
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MAGtalentagency/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/media-artists-group
• Agents: 12
• Represented Clients: 340
• Represents Ages: 0+
• Submission Policy: Headshot/resume by mail only. Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Raphael Berko, Barbara Alexander, Fred Coleman, Francine Marseille, Sheila Legette, Robin Nassif, Steven Erdek, Ruby Martin

Media Artists Group is led by CEO and President Raphael Berko and has a moderately sized staff consisting of 12 employees. The agency has represented award winning actors like Vivica A. Fox, and currently has a client list consisting of 340 clients.

The agency represents actors of all ages within film, television, commercials, and voice over. Additionally, they represent other Los Angeles creatives in the form of producers, screen writers, and television writers. In terms of their submission policy, they accept unsolicited material, although they favor industry referral. Headshots and resumes should only be sent by mail, and interviews occur at appointment. The agency does not want calls or drop offs sent to them.

Media Artists Group does have a simple website but it does not disclose much information beyond that they can be found in Los Angeles, California.

31. Clear Talent Group

• Address: 10950 Ventura Blvd Studio City, CA 91604
• Phone: +1 818 509 0121
• Email: LAinfo@cleartalentgroup.com
• Website: https://cleartalentgroup.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CTG
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearTalentGroup/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clear-talent-group-la
• Agents: 15
• Represented Clients: 642
• Represents Ages: 3+
• Submission Policy: Through website. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Tim O’Brien, Brianna Ancel, Peter Engle, Bonnie Ventis, Jody Alexander, Philip Marcus, Shayna Brouillard, Brandon Sierra, Allison Sweeney, Scot Reynolds, Jessica Jadron

Clear Talent Group has an impressive estimated 642 clients. The agency is relatively new to the field (established in the early 2000s), but already has its foot in the game via having offices in Los Angeles, New York and New Orleans. Despite its newborn status, the agency still has something to show in terms of represented clientele. Some of these names include Rico Rodriquez, seen in Modern Family, and Amber Benson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

Clear Talent Group can easily be found on social media pages like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. They also have a website. They represent many different types of creatives aged 5 years and above, including actors working in theater, film, television, commercials, and musical theater.

When submitting to this agency, actors should keep in mind that headshots and other material should be sent via email specified on their site. They do not accept calls or drop offs. The agency is affiliated with several associations, including SAG-AFTRA.

32. Pantheon Talent

• Address: 1801 Century Park East # 1910 Los Angeles, CA 90067
• Phone: +1 310 201 0120
• Email: rice@pantheontalent.com
• Website: https://pantheontalent.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pantheontalent/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 11
• Represented Clients: 412
• Represents Ages: 2-64
• Submission Policy: Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Stephen Rice, Susan Sussman, Pierre Gatling

Pantheon Talent holds its offices in Beverly Hills and was formed 2006. The agency represents about 412 clients, including notorious names like Arden Cho, from Teen Wolf, and Chrissy Metz (American Horror Story). Pantheon Talent specializes in several different areas of entertainment which are listed on their website as theatrical, literary, commercial, and print.

Aside from having a website, the talent agency is also active on social media through Facebook. This actors agency agency is affiliated with several different associations, including, but not limited to, SAG-AFTRA, Equity, and DGA.

Pantheon Talent has an “industry referral only” policy, and has a contact forum on their website through which actors can reach them with questions. Represented actors range between ages 2-64, and include on screen actors in film, TV, and commercials, as well as comedians and theater actors. In addition to actors, the agency also represents other creatives, such as directors, singers, hosts, and book authors.

33. GVA Talent Agency

• Address: 8981 Sunset Blvd # 204 Los Angeles, CA 90069
• Phone: +1 310 278 1310
• Email: gva@gvatalent.com
• Website: https://www.gvatalent.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GVATalentAgency/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gva-talent-agency-inc
• Agents: 3
• Represented Clients: 110
• Represents Ages: 18-64
• Submission Policy: Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Geneva V. Bray, Tony Martinez, Gwenn Pepper

GVA Talent Agency has a smaller clientele currently consisting of 110 represented clients, many actors among them. The agency has their office in West Hollywood and has been around since the mid 90’s. They are fairly active online with a website and a social media page on Facebook, where the agency posts information about events like open casting calls.

GVA Talent works with actors aged between 18-64 years old. Famous representations include names like Eva LaRue (CSI: Miami) and Nia Peeples (General Hospital). Besides representing actors within film and television, the agency also represents directors, hosts and spokespersons, and screenwriters.

When submitting to GVA Talents, it should be considered that the agency accepts referrals only.

34. Momentum Talent and Literary Agency

• Address: 9401 Wilshire Blvd # 501 Beverly Hills, CA 90212
• Phone: +1 310 858 6655
• Email: info@momentumtalent.com
• Website: https://momentumtalent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/momentumtal
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/momentumtalentagency/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 11
• Represented Clients: 495
• Represents Ages: 2-64
• Submission Policy: Submissions by mail, or apply on the website. Industry referral preferred. Accepts postcards and invitations. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Garry Purdy, Mike Baldridge, Alicia Bravatti, Patti Townsend, David Martin

Considering its small staff size, Momentum Talent and Literary Agency has an impressive client list (consisting of just short of 495 represented names). Clients who’ve signed with the agency include GEFF award winning Naomi Grossman as well as Trent Garrett (All My Children) and Emily Peachey (The Fault In Our Stars).

The firm has been acknowledged in several different ways, which includes it having been named the Adult Theatrical Agency of the Year 2011 by the Talent Managers Association. Momentum represents clients working in film, commercials (also commercial print) and television. It represents young actors, and profiles itself in its own words as a “full service talent agency”.

The agency is located in Beverly Hills. To contact Momentum, actors can use a contact form on their website or email them directly. The agency prefers industry referral to unsolicited material. Momentum also maintains a very nice rating and positive reviews on their Facebook page from represented actors.

35. TCA/Jed Root

• Address: 9220 Sunset Blvd # 315 Los Angeles, CA 90069
• Phone: +1 310 432 2929
• Email: info@TCAJedRoot.com
• Website: https://tcajedroot.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jed-root
• Agents: 7
• Represented Clients: 69
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): N/A

TCA/Jed Root has a smaller clientele consisting of roughly 69 names, though they still maintain a reasonably high star power ranking according to multiple sources. The agency is led by Tracy Christian and is located in West Hollywood, CA. They do have some form of online presence in the form of a website with an email; however, not much other information is openly disclosed.

The firm has been called by many actors as a poweful acting agency and has previously held offices in New York, and recently opened a new one in LA. There is very little information to be found about their LA office online, other than that the company Jed Root Agency, which is TCA/Jed Root’s predecessor, specializes in photography.

Unfortunately, there are no specifications to be found on what type of actors the agency represents or what their submission policy is. However, from the agency’s list of clientele, it can be presumed that the agency primarily represents film and television actors. Since no submission policy is listed, any method for submitting your materials is fair game.

36. Prestige Talent Agency

• Address: 9100 Wilshire Blvd # 725E Beverly Hills, CA 90212
• Phone: +1 310 777 7707
• Email: info@prestigeta.com
• Website: https://www.prestigeta.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/PrestigeTA
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Prestigetalentagency/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/prestige-talent-agency
• Agents: 8
• Represented Clients: 257
• Represents Ages: 5+
• Submission Policy: Submissions by mail only. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Paula Curcuru, Christopher Silveri, Jillian Hassett, Laura Hearn, Nicole Astell, Achilles Tsakiridis

Prestige Talent Agency is run by Nathan Habben from its offices in Beverly Hills. Despite them being slightly smaller, they are a very well-known agency and have represented names like Kate Orsini (Nashville), Arden Belle (Modern Family), and roughly 255 other clients.

Prestige Talent is active on social media, particularly their Facebook and Instagram pages. They have an email which can be used to reach them, but submissions can only be sent via snail mail. Prestige Talent is affiliated with Nexus Entertainment.

Prestige Talent does not appear to openly disclose any more details about themselves or their specialty or specific services offered to clients. Despite this, actors are normally fond of this agency and this is also evident on their Facebook page, with positive ratings and reviews stating that the agency is very professional, enthusiastic, and hardworking.

37. Daniel Hoff Agency

• Address: 5455 Wilshire Blvd # 1100 Los Angeles, CA 90036
• Phone: +1 323 932 2500
• Email: dave@danielhoffagency.com
• Website: https://danielhoffagency.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Daniel_Hoff_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielhoffagency/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-hoff-630a6333
• Agents: 8
• Represented Clients: 546
• Represents Ages: 0+
• Submission Policy: Submissions by mail or email (Use subject “ATTN: Daniel Hoff” for commercial representation, “ATTN: Kevin Turner” for theatrical representation, “ATTN: Anna Leigh Simmons” or “Dave Secor” for young-adult submissions; “ATTN: Ninna Sexsmith” for youth division). Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Daniel Hoff, Anna Leigh Simmons, Dave Secor, Ninna Sexsmith, Kevin Turner, Natalie Rose Kollar

Daniel Hoff Agency is famous and have actors like Sandra McCoy (Cry Wolf) and Sam Lloyd (Scrubs) and approximately 546 other names on their repertoire of represented clientele. Moreover, the firm also has notably high star power rankings in LA’s talent industry pool and holds offices in both Los Angeles and New York City.

The firm integrates many different divisions of entertainment, having sections dedicated to commercials, print, film and television, and musical theater to name just a few. Daniel Hoff Agency are no strangers to promoting themselves on the Internet, having social media profiles on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

In tune with its multiple divisions, Daniel Hoff Agency represents actors in film, television, comedy, musical theater, commercials, as well as actors working in voice overs. The agency represents clients of all ages. Actors should keep in mind that when contacting the agency, the divisions have different agents whom the actor should email. The agency does not accept calls or drop offs, and interviews occur at the initiative of the firm.

38. Ellis Talent Group

• Address: 4705 Laurel Canyon Blvd. Ste. 300 Valley Village, CA 91607
• Phone: +1 818 980 8072
• Email: pam@ellistalentgroup.com
• Website: https://www.ellistalentgroup.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellis-talent-group
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 187
• Represents Ages: 18-64
• Submission Policy: Industry referral only. No unsolicited submissions. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Pamala Ellis-Evenas, Gabrielle Allabashi

Though only having an employee group which is more of a duo than a staff (they consist of only 2 agents), Ellis Talent Group is still one of the serious agencies that can boost an actor’s career through their connections. Located in Valley Village, California, the agency has represented almost 200 creatives, including Carmen Argenziano (The Godfather: Part II).

The agency represents performers aged between 18-64 years in areas of film, television, and comedy. The firm has an “industry referral policy” only, and does not want calls nor drop offs.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The agency was started in 2007, so it can be considered to be fairly new to the entertainment industry. Ellis Talent does not appear to have a functioning website (at the time of this writing, only an image has been placed on their homepage with no further information). The agency is affiliated with both SAG-AFTRA and Equity.

39. Kazarian/Measures/Ruskin & Associates (KMR)

• Address: 11969 Ventura Blvd # 300, Studio City, CA 91604, United States
• Phone: +1 818-769-9111
• Email: gwilliamson@kmrtalent.com
• Website: https://kmrtalent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/kmrtalent
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kmrtalent/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: N/A
• Represented Clients: N/A
• Represents Ages: 15+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail only. Industry referrals only. No unsolicited materials. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Cindy Kazarian, Mark Measures, Alicia Ruskin, Valerie Chiovetti, Jamie Hernandez, Joe Ciccarone, Kristyn Nucci, Harold Augenstein, Tony Martinez, Michael Tzeiler, Gail Williamson, Amanda Steinmetz, Ashley Wible, Heidi Hydar, Crystal Green, Fred Westbrook, Margarita Collard, Mike Mason, Nina Genatossio, Robert Measures, Evan Mellinger, Andrew Morgan,

Established as early as 1957, KMR has a large staff consisting of 15 employees, and an even more impressively sized clientele. The agency represents over 1,300 creatives, and has offices in Studio City. KMR has profiles on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. On Facebook, the agency has received strong ratings which are currently at 4.7 stars.

The agency has several different divisions, including departments dedicated to theater, television and film, stunts, and voice over work. The firm also has a diversity department which is dedicated to representing talent, including actors, with disabilities.

When submitting to KMR, actors should consider that each department (and also the New York offices) have different requirements. More detailed information can be found on their website’s “Submissions” page, but what most submissions have in common that they should include links or a physical demo, a cover letter, resume, and headshot. Both the film and television division as well as the theatrical division mostly take in manager or other referrals.

40. Metropolitan (MTA)

• Address: 5405 Wilshire Blvd # 218 Los Angeles, CA 90036
• Phone: +1 323 857 4500
• Email: N/A
• Website: N/A
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/mtatalent
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MTAtalent/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 4
• Represented Clients: 158
• Represents Ages: 13+
• Submission Policy: Industry referral only. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Christopher Barrett, Cary Kozlov, Tom Markley, Lauren Gibson, Sunta Izzicupo

Metropolitan (MTA) can boast having signed with actresses like Debbie Reynolds (Singing in the Rain) and an estimated 158 more clients. The agency has also a considerably heavy power rank in LA’s talent pool, and has received appraise on its Facebook page from represented actors. MTA also has a Twitter account, giving it an established online presence.

Metropolitan was formed in 1982 and is located in Los Angeles, California. This LA agency represents actors from 13 years old and above in film, televisions, and commercials. They also represent other creatives, such as directors and book authors.

The firm only accepts industry referral supported submissions. They do not want drop offs or calls, and interviews will take place only based on appointments. MTA is affiliated with several organizations, including SAG-AFTRA and DGA.

Top 25 Fastest Growing Agencies

41. Linda McAlister Talent

• Address: 30 N Raymond # 213 Pasadena, CA 91103
• Phone: +1 626 529 5739
• Email: linda@lmtalent.com / submissions@LMTalent.com
• Website: https://www.lmtalent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/LindaMcAlister
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindaMcAlisterTalent/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/linda-mcalister-talent
• Agents: 5
• Represented Clients: 580
• Represents Ages: All ages
• Submission Policy: Submissions by email only. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Linda McAlister, Patrick McAlister, Molly Kirkton, Logan Rees

Linda McAlister Talent holds offices in Pasadena, CA as well as in Texas, and is run by a small staff of 5. The agency has a remarkably high number of clients (currently at about 580 represented names) given its very small size.

This is one of the best LA acting agencies among those growing the fastests, and they are actively promoting themselves both on their website and on social media pages like Twitter and Facebook. Linda McAlister Talent is clear on what they require from prospective clients, stating that they value respect, talent, and serious work ethic. The firm represents clients of all ages, representing actors in on screen productions, theater, and voice over, musical theater, hosting, and comedy. They also represent other creatives, such as dancers, variety artists, and musicians.

Regarding submissions, the talent agency wants material to be emailed to them. They want demos attached as links only, and do not accept calls or drop offs. Interviews are by appointment only.

42. Aqua Talent Agency

• Address: 9000 Sunset Blvd # 700 Los Angeles, CA 90069
• Phone: + 1 310 859 8889
• Email: aqua@aquatalent.com
• Website: https://www.aquatalent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aquacourtney
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AquaLLC/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 3
• Represented Clients: 588
• Represents Ages: 0+
• Submission Policy: Interested in union and nonunion. Submissions by mail only. Accepts postcards and invitations. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Lawrence Har, Courtney Peldon, Alex Leedy, Brandon Myhan, David Lee

Aqua Talent Agency has been around for more than a decade, and is led by a three membered staff. It has represented over 588 clients, some of which have been in very famous productions, including James Michael Tyler (Friends), Caitlin Carver (Paper Towns), and Margaret Blye (The Italian Job).

Located in West Hollywood – right next to a bunch of other talent agencies – Aqua Talent has 3 divisions consisting of print, commercials, and theater/film/TV. Asides from representing athletes and models, the agency represents actors in film, television, musical theater, theater, and commercials. They represent clients of all ages.

Aqua Talent signs with both union and non-union talent, which is less common in LA. The agency does not take drop offs or calls. Any headshots or resumes should be sent by mail (they accept postcards and invitations). Aqua Talent has a website where they list the email addresses for submissions to the different divisions. Interviews by appointments only.

43. AMT Artists

• Address: 15260 Ventura Blvd # 1200 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
• Phone: +1 818 582 2490
• Email: N/A
• Website: N/A
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 3
• Represented Clients: 110
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): N/A

AMT Artists, located in the best part of San Fernando Valley – Sherman Oaks, is another low-staffed agency that’s rising fast with a quickly growing client list. They have represented famous faces like Soapy Awards winner Genie Francis. The agency currently has about 110 clients.

Apart from this, there is very little mention of the agency online since they’re still so small, nor do they have their own website, unfortunately. Given its client list, it can be presumed that AMT Artists primarily represents actor working in film and television and they do not seem to have any other divisions.

44. The Corsa Agency

• Address: 11704 Wilshire Blvd # 204 Los Angeles, CA 90025
• Phone: +1 310 231 7010
• Email: N/A
• Website: N/A
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/corsaagency
• LinkedIn:
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 33
• Represents Ages: 13-64
• Submission Policy: Submissions by mail only. Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Larry Corsa, Thomas Richards

The Corsa Agency is run by two agents – Thomas Richards and Larry Corsa. Considering their size, this agency is fairly powerful in Los Angeles’ talent market mostly due to good connections. They also represent only 33 clients at the time of this writing, but they’re rising quickly.

The agency is located in West LA. It represents actors working within film and television, aged between 13-64 years old. The firm does not accept drop offs, and wants all submissions sent by snail mail.

Other than the information listed above, not much information is openly shared by The Corsa Agency or can be found online, since they’re still fairly new and small. The talent agency does publicly list their mailing address, but seem to have no website or even an email address.

45. Henderson Represents

• Address: 100 Universal City Plaza # 7152 Universal City, CA 91608
• Phone: +1 818 733 2424
• Email: mhenderson@hritalent.com
• Website: https://hritalent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/hritalent
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hritalent/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 5
• Represented Clients: 259
• Represents Ages: 18+
• Submission Policy: Submissions by mail only. No unsolicited demos. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Alex Butler, Chad Pisetsky, Rachel Wagner.

Henderson Represents has represented talent for over a decade, and currently holds a total client list of 259 signed names. The agency, based in Universal City, CA, profiles themselves as having a strong media and marketing presence. They have collaborations with several advertising agencies, including Leo Burnett. The agency is active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and has a website.

Henderson Represents has divisions devoted to celebrities, kids, theatrical, and talent. According to their own description, they appear keener on representing actors which are (in their own words) “recognizable” or young actors that are just around the corner from making their debut.

Both non-union and union actors can sign with Henderson Represents. The LA agency for actors does not want emailed submissions, just mailed hardcopy. They want a cover letter, headshot, and resume, all of which need to meet specific requirements as usual. These requirements can be found in detail on their site.

46. Talent House LA

• Address: 3000 Olympic Blvd # 2226 Santa Monica, CA 90404
• Phone: +1 310 315 4797
• Email: info@thetalenthousela.com
• Website: https://www.thetalenthousela.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/thetalenthouse
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-talent-house-la
• Agents: 3
• Represented Clients: 81
• Represents Ages: 18-64
• Submission Policy: Submissions by email (preferred) or mail. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Peter Kaiser, Zachary Durand

Talent House LA started rather recently in 2009, and currently has three members of staff and approximately 80 represented clients. In their own words on their website, the agency says it “represents ethnically diverse, union actors for work in Television and Motion Pictures.” They state that their interests lie with representing both established as well as new talent.

The agency may be smaller than some others higher on this list but they are also more picky with their clients, and are known for high quality representation for actors. The firm holds offices in Santa Monica, and can be contacted via email. Apart from their website, there is not much mention of the agency online nor are they very active on social media.

Despite the fact that the agency appears to be a little anonymous online, they are rated highly in LA’s talent pool, and their staff appears to be very experienced agents.

47. Almond Talent Agency

• Address: 8217 Beverly Blvd # 8 West Hollywood, CA 90048
• Phone: +1 323 934 5500
• Email: info@almondtalent.COM
• Website: https://www.almondtalent.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/almondtalent/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/almond-talent-agency
• Agents: 6
• Represented Clients: 342
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): N/A

Almond Talent Agency holds offices in West Hollywood, and started back in 2007. Run by Aur-Aelion Israel, this West Hollywood talent agency has signed with over 300 clients so far.

The agency does not reveal much about itself on their website, but from its client list consisting of names like Linda Blair, Charlene Tilton, and Ryan Cutrona it can be assumed that represented talent is mainly film, television, and hosting actors.

Despite this, Almond Talent seems to be viewed favorably by the industry and the talent. On its Facebook page it has received both positive reviews and ratings; however, they aren’t very active on their social media channels.

48. Defining Artists Agency

• Address: 193 N Robertson Blvd Second Floor Beverly Hills, CA 90211
• Phone: +1 424-302-0073
• Email: info@definingartists.com / DefiningArtists@Yahoo.com
• Website: https://www.definingartists.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/defining-artists
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 58
• Represents Ages: 13-64
• Submission Policy: Submissions by mail or email. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Dede Binder, Kim Dorr, Breanna Bell

Opened in the early 2000s, Defining Artists Agency has, at the moment, 58 signed clients. The talent agency has an office in Beverly Hills, and specializes in representing new talent, although they do also work with actors who’ve already been labelled as “discovered”.

On their website, Defining Artists states that they do work with non-union actors whom are under 18, but rarely with non-union actors who are above this age.

When actors submit their work, the agency wants the material (consisting of a demo reel, resume, and a headshot as usual) to their email address. It should be noted that if the demo reel is unsolicited, it should only be sent to the firm as a link in an email.

49. Smith & Hervey/Grimes Talent Agency

• Address: 3002 Midvale Ave # 206 Los Angeles, CA 90034
• Phone: +1 310 475 2010
• Email: assistant@herveygrimes.com
• Website: https://www.herveygrimes.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hervey-grimes-talent-agency
• Agents: 4
• Represented Clients: 192
• Represents Ages: 4+
• Submission Policy: Submissions by email only. Accepts postcards and invitations. Interviews by appointment only. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Julie Smith, Natalie Kollar

Smith & Hervey/Grimes Talent Agency has collaborated with actors and other creatives who worked in some major Hollywood productions, such as American Sniper and The Judge. The agency’s office is based in Palms, and they represent almost 200 names.

Founded in 1991, Smith & Hervey/Grimes represents actors above the age of 4 years old in musical theater, commercials, theater, television, and film.

The agency is big on diversity and encourages actors of all ethnicities to submit material to them. On their website, they state that ethnic adult talent needs to be affiliated with SAG-AFRA. The agency states that they do not represent adult actors who are not already established. They accept unsolicited material being sent to them via email; however, no unsolicited demo reels are accepted.

50. Avalon Artists Group

• Address: 5455 Wilshire Blvd # 900 Los Angeles, CA 90036
• Phone: +1 323 692 1700
• Email: craig@avalonartists.com
• Website: https://www.avalonartists.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AvalonArtists
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avalonartistsgroup/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avalon-artists-group
• Agents: 6
• Represented Clients: 454
• Represents Ages: 13+
• Submission Policy: Headshot/resume by mail only. Attends showcases and accepts showcase invitations. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Craig Holzberg, Elmer Blanco, Stephany Burns, Caroline Dart, Amanda Richards

Avalon Artists Group is run by Craig Holzberg, and they have offices in both New York City and Los Angeles. AAG is a well-known and respected agency with currently 454 clients, some of whom are known names in Hollywood, including Will Greenberg (Cloverfield) and Annie Funke (The Intern).

The agency says, in its own words, that it represents “actors of all ages and backgrounds” in different areas of the entertainment industry in Hollywood, but their focus is on actors in primarily film and television, then theater, commercials, and print. They represent actors aged 13 years old and above.

For submissions, Avalon Artists Group prefers those to be sent to their mailing address as hardcopy. They also accept invites to showcases, but do not take calls or drop offs. Interviews by appointment only.

51. Savage Agency

• Address: 6212 Banner Ave Hollywood, CA 90038
• Phone: +1 323 461 8316
• Email: info@thesavageagency.net
• Website: https://savageagency.net/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesavageagency/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/savage-agency
• Agents: 6
• Represented Clients: 265
• Represents Ages: 4-18
• Submission Policy: Submissions by mail only. No emails. Accepts postcards and invitations. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Judy Savage, Stella Alex, Jason Barias, Mark Smith, Jennifer Boyce, A.J. Harris

Savage Agency has a staff consisting of 6 employees, and an impressive 265 represented clients. It describes itself as an experienced “boutique” agency, and is located in Hollywood.

It should be noted that Savage Agency, while one of the best acting agents on this part of the list, only represents young actors, particularly aged 4-18 years old. These are actors who work in television, film, theater, voice over, and commercials.

The talent agency has a simple website with a few more details. Actors can send a short cover letter, headshot, and resume to their physical mailing address for submissions. They also accept invitations and postcards. They do not want calls or drop offs. Interviews are by appointment only.

52. BBA Talent

• Address: 3500 W Olive Ave # 300 Burbank, CA 91505
• Phone: +1 818 506 8188
• Email: denise@bbatalent.com
• Website: https://bbatalent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/bbatalent
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbatalent
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 6
• Represented Clients: 512
• Represents Ages: 0+
• Submission Policy: Submissions by mail only. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Renee Howard, Christine Tarallo, Mike O’Dell, Lyle Skosey, Cindy Mercado

BBA Talent has their office in Burbank, and currently represents 512 names, including Sydney Walsh (Point Break). The agency has 4 different divisions, listed as commercial, theatrical, print, and voice over. All ages are represented.

When submitting material to BBA Talent, actors need to keep in mind that each division has different submission policies. Voice over, film/TV, and youth talent currently must go through industry referrals, whereas commercial is open to submission with headshots and resumes via either mail or email.

BBA Talent are promoting themselves with the help of social media, particularly Facebook and Twitter. The agency is affiliated with SAG-AFTRA, ATA, and WGA.

53. Connor Ankrum & Associates

• Address: 1680 Vine St # 1016 Los Angeles, CA 90028
• Phone: +1 323 463 8355
• Email: N/A
• Website: N/A
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 177
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): David Ankrum, Erin Connor, Caleigh Vancata, Steve Walker, Steven Dry, Stephanie Hoover

Connor Ankrum & Associates, started in the 1980s, represents actors from productions which have boosted their rank by a significant margin. Some of the productions include General Hospital, A Nightmare On Elm Street, and Titanic. They are based in the center of Hollywood and currently have a clientele consisting of 177 creatives.

The agency represents actors aged 18-64 years in theater, film, and television. They also represent other creatives, including screenwriters. It should be noted that Connor Ankrum & Associates are not looking to sign with actors who are just starting out in the entertainment industry so completely new talent need not apply.

They agency wants headshots and resumes to be sent by snail mail only. They do not want calls or drop offs. Interviews are only by appointments. Apart from these details, the agency does not disclose much information about themselves and are non-existent on social media.

54. Glick Agency

• Address: 1321 7th Street # 203 Santa Monica, CA 90401
• Phone: +1 310 593 6500
• Email: N/A
• Website: https://www.merritthicks.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-glick-agency-l.l.c
• Agents: 3
• Represented Clients: 95
• Represents Ages: 18-64
• Submission Policy: Industry referrals only. No unsolicited submissions. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Steve Glick, Barbara Pollans

Glick Agency has a clientele consisting of just short of 100 represented names. The agency is located in Santa Monica, and they state that their main focus is aimed at the Santa Monica creative community. The agency is relatively new to the industry, but are fortunate to be led by Steve Glick, who has been described by the Hollywood Reporter as a “veteran television agent”. He has worked with representing TV talent for more than two decades.

Glick Agency says that they represent actors in theater and film/TV, “and more”. The age range of represented actors is 18-64 years old. The firm is associated with both SAG-AFTRA and ATA.

In terms of submissions, the agency only accepts industry referrals and does not want any drop offs or calls. Glick Agency has listed their physical address, but not their email.

55. 90210 Talent Agency

• Address: 16430 Ventura Blvd # 200 Encino, CA 91436
• Phone: +1 323 903 7217
• Email: agents@90210talent.com
• Website: https://90210talent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/90210talent
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/90210Talent/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/90210-talent
• Agents: 7
• Represented Clients: 245
• Represents Ages: 0+
• Submission Policy: Submissions by email only (note which department you are submitting to).
• Submit to Agent(s): Theo Caesar, Lisa Martel, Facé, Traci Turton, Kevin Turton, LaRosa Howland, Sunnee Townes

Based in Encino, 90210 Talent Agency is led by Theo Caesar, and is relatively new to this field. However, having started only in 2008, they’ve already built up an impressive client list consisting of 245 names with solid credits. Although they have a smaller number of staff, all of their agents have serious experience which immediately raises the ranks of this new agency. When reviewed on their Facebook page, users have said positive things about the agency, including that they are professional and caring.

This popular LA agency signs with actors of all ages, and represents actors working with voice over, commercials, theater, film, martial arts, stunt acts, and television. Other creatives, like directors or screenwriters, are also represented. The agency is affiliated with SAG-AFTRA.

90210 Talent Agency wants headshots and other submission material to only be submitted via email. It should be noted that even though the agency has a general email, their specific divisions can have separate emails for submissions.

56. Littman Talent Group

• Address: 15720 Ventura Blvd Suite # 611 Encino, CA 91436
• Phone: +1 818 853 9400
• Email: info@littmantalent.com
• Website: https://www.littmantalent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/littmantalent
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittmanTalentGroup/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 210
• Represents Ages: 0+
• Submission Policy: Submissions by mail only. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Hayley Littman, Will Bartoli , Erica Hunton

Littman Talent Group profiles itself as a talent agency who represents completely new as well as established actors in the business. Presently, the acting agency has 210 actors listed as their clientele, and stand fairly high in LA’s talent representation industry rankings with a very small staff. Led by a team of three, the agency’s talent agents all have an impressive history of working with representing creative talent through bigger agencies.

Located in Encino, the firm was formed as recently as 2013. Despite being relatively new as an agency, Littman Talent Group has strong marketing and self-promotion strategy, as well as clear presence on both Facebook and Twitter.

The agency represents clients working in theater, commercials, and print. On their website, they can be reached using a contact form. It should be noted that those submitting material to the theater department need to either belong to a union or be eligible to join a union.

57. Across The Board (ATB) Talent Agency

• Address: 14542 Ventura Blvd # 201 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
• Phone: +1 323 761 0282
• Email: info@atbtalent.com
• Website: https://www.atbtalent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/atbtalent
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ATBTalentAgency
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/across-the-board-talent-agency
• Agents: 7
• Represented Clients: 229
• Represents Ages: 1+
• Submission Policy: Submissions by mail only (add “New Faces” on the envelope). No phone calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Todd Eskin

Across The Board Talent Agency has offices in both New York City and Los Angeles (Sherman Oaks). With 229 clients, they have divisions dedicated to film and television, theater, commercials, print, and youth. The agency states that they are on the lookout for “higher profile talent” at the moment, so those new to the industry will not have much success with their submissions.

Aside from having a website, the agency is also active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

When submitting, actors should send their headshot and resume to ATBTA’s Los Angeles office to the above address and remember to label the envelope as “New faces”.

58. Artistic Talent

• Address: 5436 Laurel Canyon # 111 Valley Village, CA 91607
• Phone: +1 323 206 7807
• Email: annette@artistictalentla.com
• Website: https://artistictalentla.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 3
• Represented Clients: 203
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): N/A

Artistic Talent has 203 clients, which is impressive, considering that its staff consists of only 3 members. The talent agency is located in Valley Village, California, and has signed with names like Tiana Benjamin (EastEnders).

The agency has a simple website where more details about the agency and the submission process can be found. Their website states that the agency has a division dedicated to commercials and voice over. From its clientele, it can be presumed that the firm represents mainly actors working in film and television.

59. Element Talent Agency

• Address: 11425 Moorpark St North Hollywood, CA 91602
• Phone: +1 310 893 1894
• Email: palmasst@elementtalent.com / info@elementtalent.com
• Website: https://www.elementtalent.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/8321665
• Agents: 5
• Represented Clients: 160
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Noel Palm

Element Talent Agency is located in San Fernando Valley’s North Hollywood, and is led by Noel Palm. The firm has actors like Jason Brooks (Star Trek) and Carol Anne Watts (Ant-man) as part of their repertoire of 160 clients.

The agency can be contacted using two email addresses and they have a website but no apparent social media page or mention of what type of talent they are specifically focusing on, although it appears that they have several divisions: TV, theatrical, commercials and youth representation.

The agency has stated that they do not take any unsolicited material.

60. David Shapira & Associates

• Address: 193 N Robertson Blvd Beverly Hills, CA 90211
• Phone: +1 310 967 0480
• Email: sn@dsa-agency.com
• Website: https://dsa-agency.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 5
• Represented Clients: 122
• Represents Ages: 18+
• Submission Policy: Submissions by email only. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): David Shapira, Mark Scroggs, Susan Fincham, San Simons, Kate Krassowski, Erik Staehle

David Shapira & Associates is run by David Shapira and they represent 122 actors, including Golden Globe nominated and Venice Film Festival award winning Kelly McGillis. The agency has some positive reviews on Facebook which is always a good sign, although one should keep in mind that at the time of this writing only 10 people have reviewed the firm. They do not have their own Facebook page, however.

This is another powerful “boutique” agency and they’re located in Beverly Hills. DSA has been around since the late 1970s, yet describes themselves as having a modern approach to the entertainment industry by taking into consideration that actors market themselves with the help of blogs, social media and other mediums that aren’t traditional.

The agency represents actors aged above 18 years old only who are working in theater, musical theater, film, television, comedy, hosting, as well as other creatives. They have an email published which is where all the submissions should go to. They do not want calls and drop offs. Interviews with DSA’s agents are by appointment only.

61. Rogers Orion Talent Agency

• Address: 13731 Ventura Blvd # D Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
• Phone: +1 818 789 7064
• Email: roasubmissions@yahoo.com / submissions@rogersorionagency.com
• Website: https://rogersorionagency.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/rogersorion
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rogers-Orion-Talent-Agency-154535357902029/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogers-orion-talent-agency-95a564a8
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 179
• Represents Ages: 2+
• Submission Policy: Submissions reel by mail or email. Accepts showcase invitations. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Orion Barnes, Tony Ferrar

Rogers Orion Talent Agency is another very powerful boutique agency with a large number of clients, especially considering the size of the agency. The firm is located in Sherman Oaks (San Fernando Valley), and was founded approximately a decade ago in 2005.

Rogers Orion appears to have a very qualified and experienced staff of just two agents, and both Orion Barnes and Tony Ferrar have been in the business for decades. On their Facebook page, ROTA is reviewed positively and said to be able to get their clients recognized quickly.

The agency represents actors working with television, film, commercials, stage, and voice over. When submitting to ROTA, actors should send their material to their submissions email address listed above. The agency does not want actors to do any follow up calls, which is the case with all other agencies too.

62. LB Talent Agency

• Address: 15303 Ventura Blvd, # 900 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
• Phone: +1 818 380-3099
• Email: N/A
• Website: N/A
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lewis-and-Beal-Talent-Agency-100379850888/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 4
• Represented Clients: 221
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Jackie Lewis, Nancy Luciano

LB Talent Agency has their office in Sherman Oaks, and currently represents approximately 220 clients, primarily actors. The agency has represented creatives from several different famous productions, such as Alanna Masterson (The Walking Dead), Christina Robinson (Dexter), and John Posey (Robocop 3).

The agency does not reveal much information about itself online, including what kind of talent it mainly represents or what its submission policy is. However, it can be presumed, based on their clientele, that they mainly represent talent within film and television.

The agency does not appear to have an active website or social media pages of any kind. There are very few mentions of the agency online, too.

63. Origin Talent

• Address: 4705 Laurel Canyon Blvd # 303 Studio City, CA 91607
• Phone: +1 818 487 1800
• Email: annie@origintalent.com
• Website: https://origintalent.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/origin-talent
• Agents: 5
• Represented Clients: 230
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Annie Schwartz, Marc Chancer, Tim O’Shae

Origin Talent has an estimated 230 clients, and their office is based in Studio City. The agency is co-owned by talent agents Annie Schwartz and Marc Chancer.

The firm represents talent ages 2 years old and up within comedy, film, television, and commercials.

When submitting to Origin Talent, actors should preferably send material to the agency’s email address listed above. Alternatively, material can be mailed to them. The agency does not want calls or drop offs, and interviews are by appointment only. The agency is affiliated with SAG-AFTRA.

64. The Wayne Agency

• Address: 3255 Wilshire Blvd., 15th Floor # 1534 Los Angeles, CA 90010
• Phone: +1 310 492 5994
• Email: contactla@thewayneagency.com
• Website: https://www.thewayneagency.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheWayneAgency
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWayneAgency
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-wayne-agency-inc-
• Agents: 9
• Represented Clients: 384
• Represents Ages: infants to seniors
• Submission Policy: See website for guidelines. Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Terrence Lynn, Shawn West, Sueanne Eden, Zana Scott

The Wayne Agency isn’t anonymous when it comes to its list of represented clientele, which includes some very well-known names: Sally Kirkland (JFK), Audrey Landers (Dallas), and approximately 380 other actors.

The talent agency is located in Koreatown, and has a website to learn more about them. They also have a Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages where they share updates on their clients’ work. The agency has several different divisions dedicated to acting, which consist of adult theatrical, adult commercial, voice over, and kids.

When submitting to the agency, actors must use different subject headlines for each division (these can be found on the website). Wayne Agency states that not all submissions are responded to, and if this is the case, actors can re-submit after three months.

65. Equitable Stewardship For Artists (ESA)

• Address: 6363 Wilshire Blvd. # 650, Los Angeles CA 90048
• Phone: +1 310 853 4200
• Email: info@esartists.com
• Website: https://esartists.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/esamodernrep
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESArtists1/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/equitable-stewardship-for-artists
• Agents: 5
• Represented Clients: 35
• Submission Policy: Submissions by mail only. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Elizabeth Wilson, Paul Alan Smith, Martin To

Equitable Stewardship for Artists, otherwise often labeled as ESA, is another talent agency that’s taking their approach into the 21^st century to establish themselves as somewhat of a “New Age” talent representation firm. It was launched in early 2013 by a veteran agent Paul Alan Smith, who was previously working as a literary agent at International Creative Management, and attorney Lee Rosenbaum. They may have a close relationship with ICM.

Some of their clients include director and producer Marc Buckland (Grimm, My Name is Earl) and writer-director Charles Burnett (Killer of Sheep). Other names on the list include J.J. Adler, Adam Arkin, Harry Belafonte, Sanford Bookstaver, Marc Buckland, Charles Burnett, Joe Chappelle, Alex Chapple and more.

ESA’s website doesn’t reveal much about their process, whom exactly they represent or which niches they tackle. Very few resources are also aware of this agency, yet research from talking to other agents and clients reveal that they have a somewhat high ranking in LA’s talent pool industry and are a respected firm among other agencies.

ESA does represent actors and directors in Film and TV, but more creatives from other areas are likely to be part of their clientele as well. For submissions, it’s best to use their mailing address and send the materials there, but it should be assumed that they do not accept unsolicited mailings and prefer referrals.

Top Boutique Acting Agencies

66. The Atherton Talent Group (TAG)

• Address: Los Angeles, CA USA
• Phone: +1 323 482 1746 / 512-930-9301
• Email: office@tagtalent.com
• Website: https://www.tagtalent.com/Group.php
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TAGTalent
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Atherton-Group-TAG-Talent-Agency-40338713629/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 3
• Represented Clients: 328
• Represents Ages: 4+
• Submission Policy: See website for guidelines. Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Liz Atherton, James Boyl, Jorge Elizondo

TAG is run by Liz Atherton and holds offices in Los Angeles, Austin, and New Orleans. The agency currently holds very strong star power rankings, and has 329 listed clients.

Started in the mid-90s, the firm has been nominated for the 2015 Big Wig Awards and won the 2011 Best Talent Agency as voted by the AAF. TAG has an easily navigable website at www.tagtalent.com.  The agency is no stranger to social media, having both Facebook and Twitter profiles, where they state that they represent actors in television, film, and voice over.

When submitting to the agency, actors should keep in mind that each division has different submission policies which can be found on the agency’s website. As this article is being written, TAG is only on the lookout for established film and television actors in the Texas region.

67. Tangerine Talent

• Address: 15130 Ventura Blvd # 308 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
• Phone: +1 310 494 6124
• Email: talent@tangerinetalent.com
• Website: https://tangerinetalent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/tangerinetalent
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TangerineTalent/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tangerine-talent
• Agents: 5
• Represented Clients: 250
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): N/A

Tangerine Talent currently has 250 signed talents, including actors Kelsey Chock (Godzilla) and Jayk Gallagher (The Social Network). The agency seems to generally have a positive reputation, including having been described as supportive and that they effective at getting actors auditions. Tangerine Talent has a well maintained social media presence.

Located in Sherman Oaks, Tangerine Talent states that they represent actors of all types, including all ages and ethnicities. Their services include representation of actors in projects involving commercials, print, and theater. The agency says on their website that they help actors even with editing demo reels, headshots, and connecting them with managers.

Tangerine Talent has specific requirements for a submission to be considered. One of these requirements is that the actor does not live more than 2 hours away from the Los Angeles region and that the actor isn’t preoccupied between the hours of 10am and 4pm, which is the case for a large majority of agencies. In the actual submission, the agency wants actors to email pictures, videos, and acting experience details to their email address. Relevant skills should be mentioned.

68. Synergy Talent

• Address: 13251 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604
• Phone: +1 818 995 6500
• Email: vo@synergytalent.net
• Website: https://www.synergytalent.net/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SynergyTalent
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 4
• Represented Clients: 186
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Karl Hofheinz

Synergy Talent holds offices in Studio City, and currently represents 186 names, including Jerry Trimble (Heat). Aside from that, it doesn’t seem they represent any more known names; however, their experience in the industry keeps raising their ranks every year.

The agency is run by Karl Hofheinz and was established approximately 15 years ago. The agency states that it represents talent which works in print, media, and film. Presumably, this includes actors, given that its clientele consists of actors working both in film and television.

Asides from Twitter, the agency appears to have next to little information published about it and very little activity on social media. Their submission is not disclosed as well.

69. Michael Zanuck Agency (MZA)

• Address: 28035 Dorothy Dr. Suite 120 Agoura Hills, CA 91301
• Phone: +1 818 707 9747
• Email: michael@mzaagency.com
• Website: https://www.mzaagency.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Michael-Zanuck-Agency-1083853671675680
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mza-the-michael-zanuck-agency-
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 219
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Michael Zanuck, Kyle W. Jolly

MZA has been around for about two decades, currently representing 219 names, mostly Hollywood actors, and holding a high star power ranking in the LA talent industry pool. The agency is led by two agents, Kyle W. Jolly and Michael Zanuck, and have offices in Los Angeles and New York City. MZA is associated with ATA.

MZA has been praised online, with reviews stating that the firm has a positive attitude, good work ethic, and is gifted at negotiating. However, researching forums for this agency returns mixed opinions. The agency has a Facebook profile which is actively updated and has several reviews for more information.

The agency has a website where it says that it represents theatrical, commercial, and broadcasting talent. MZA has an email through which you can contact them and submit your material.

70. Allegory Creative Management

• Address: 13261 Moorpark St # 103 Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
• Phone: +1 818 582 8055
• Email: info@allegorytalent.com
• Website: https://allegorytalent.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Allegory-Creative-Management-379455198797412/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/allegory-creative-management-a-talent-agency
• Agents: 4
• Represented Clients: 82
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): N/A

Allegory Creative Management is located in Sherman Oaks, and has an estimated 80 represented clients. The agency has represented a fair share of actors from acknowledged productions, including Ken Baumann (The Secret Life of the American Teenager), Kenric Green (The Walking Dead), and Ajay Vidure (Scandal).

ACM maintains a simpler website and a Facebook page, where little information is openly revealed apart from the firm’s email address and mailing address, which actors can still use to their advantage.

The agency was formed recently – in 2012. ACM has not openly described what kind of talent it represents or what the requirements are for submission, yet from its clientele, it can be presumed that actors in television and film is the firm’s main specialty.

71. Beth Stein and Associates

• Address: 920 Abbot Kinney Blvd Venice, CA 90291
• Phone: +1 310 452 8811
• Email: info@bethsteinagency.com
• Website: https://www.bethsteinandassociates.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethsteinagency/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 93
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Stacey Solodkin

Beth Stein and Associates is led by Stacey Solodkin and has offices in Venice, CA. The agency has a smaller clientele consisting of approximately 80 names such as Malcom Barrett (Better Off Ted).

Regarding submissions, the agency has asked actors to submit their headshots and demo reel to their email address. The agency is active online through having a Facebook page where BSA writes about their represented talent, which is a good sign for actors wanting to contact them over social media.

The agency does not reveal much about themselves, but from their clientele list it can be assumed that BSA represents actors in film, television, and voice over.

72. The Polygon Group

• Address: 303 N. Glenoaks Blvd # 200 Burbank, CA 91502
• Phone: +1 747 248 7012
• Email: info@thepolygongroup.com
• Website: https://www.thepolygongroup.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepolygongroup
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Polygon-Group-183043368380412/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-polygon-group-inc.
• Agents: 4
• Represented Clients: 230
• Represents Ages: 5+
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): N/A

The Polygon Group has, at the moment, about 230 represented clients, and has a moderate star power rankings in LA’s talent industry. The agency has offices in Burbank, CA, as well as Quincy, MA.

The Polygon Group has a website where a few more details can be found. This talent agency states that it represents actors aged above 5 years old in television, film, commercials, voice overs, and print. The firm also represents other creatives, including writers. They state that they represent new and established talent alike, which is great news for completely new actors.

Regarding submissions, The Polygon Group has a specific submission policy where they do not want unsolicited material, unless the adult actors have not been in at least two national commercials or alternatively have been a guest star at least three times. In the voice over division, the agency is currently accepting submissions. The agency wants headshots and resumes sent to their email.

73. Kathleen Schultz Associates Talent Agency (KSA)

• Address: 6442 Coldwater Canyon # 206 Valley Glen, CA 91606
• Phone: +1 818 760 3100
• Email: kschultzassoc@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.kathleenschultzassociates.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ksa_tvfilm
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KSATalentAgency/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 228
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Kathleen Schultz

KSATA is run by talent agent Kathleen Schultz and can add actors like Ricco Ross (Aliens) and more than 200 other clients to its repertoire.

The firm is located in Valley Glen, CA and Atlanta, GA, and is led by a smaller staff of 2 talent agents total (including Kathleen). The agency is affiliated with SAG-AFTRA.

In Los Angeles, the agency represents talent in film and television, and wants submissions sent to their main email address. In Atlanta, KSATA represents creatives in film, television, and commercials, with submissions sent to ksacommercialsatl@gmail.com. Submissions should include a headshot, demo reel, and a resume for both LA and Atlanta.

74. Central Artists

• Address: 3308 W Burbank Blvd Burbank, CA 91505
• Phone: +1 818 557 8284
• Email: info@centralartists.com / submissions@centralartists.com
• Website: https://centralartists.com/index.html
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CentralArtists
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CentralArtists/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/central-artists
• Agents: 5
• Represented Clients: 173
• Represents Ages: 2+
• Submission Policy: Headshot/resume/demo reel by mail or email. Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Jean-Marc Carre, Laura Walsh, Melony Begakis, Nicole Connor

Central Artists was formed in 2000, and has a clientele consisting of more than 170 creatives. The agency has three divisions called theatrical, commercial, and youth. Central Artists has offices in Burbank, CA.

The talent agency represents actors working in hosting, commercials, film, television, and comedy. They also represent creatives such as broadcast journalists, which is rarer today. Central Artists represent clients aged from 2 years old and above, and are interested in signing with ethnic actors in particular.

The agency does not accept drop offs or calls. They want submission material to be sent by either mail or email. It should be observed that different divisions in the firm can have slightly different submission requirements. These can be found in greater detail on their website. Central Artists is affiliated with SAG-AFTRA.

75. RPM Talent Agency

• Address: 2600 W Olive Ave 5th Fl Burbank, CA 91505
• Phone: +1 818 333 5150
• Email: info@rpmtalent.com
• Website: https://www.rpmtalent.net/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/RPM_TheAgency
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RPMtalent/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rpm-talent-agency
• Agents: 5
• Represented Clients: 191
• Represents Ages: 0+
• Submission Policy: Headshot/resume by mail only. Industry referrals preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Tiffany Atwood, Jennifer Sims, Chad Anderson, Andrew Pinon, Shawn Barry, Tara Samuel

RPM Talent Agency has offices in Burbank, California, and currently works with approximately 190 signed clients, including Vernon Wells (Mad Max 2). The firm started in 2005, and is run by a small staff consisting of 5 agents.

RPM represents talent working with theatrical, commercial, and print projects. The agency represents children as well as adults of all ethnicities. In terms of submission policy, the RPM wants material (preferably through industry or manager referral) sent to their mail address. The agency has a website.

It should be observed that the general opinion about RPM Talent seems heavily divided. Whilst some online reviews credit the agency for being professional and experienced, others have called the firm a “scam”, and say that they have been tricked in different ways. One should take into mind that these comments are mostly expressed on forums, and do have the same credibility as say an article or official report about the agency. There’s a Ripoff Report page for this agency for more information. Overall, please do your own due diligence before submitting.

76. Mogan Entertainment

• Address: 1011 Palm Ave #302 West Hollywood, CA 90069
• Phone: +1 424 343 0445
• Email: michael@moganentertainment.com
• Website: https://www.moganentertainment.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 1
• Represented Clients: 157
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Michael Mogan

Mogan Entertainment has a large (for a small agency) amount of 157 represented clients, a considerable number given that the actors agency is run single handedly by agent Michael Mogan.

The agency is located in West Hollywood, and has a simple website for additional information. The firm has stated that it is currently open for submissions, which can be sent either by email or by mail. When submitting, actors should send a demo reel link, resume, and headshot.

The firm was founded as recently as 2012, and does not clearly state what its niche is within the entertainment industry. However, its listed clientele include names like Cher Hubsher (My Super Sweet Sixteen) and Brett Edwards (American Sniper), so it can be assumed that the agency represents mostly actors on television and film as well as reality TV celebrities.

77. Progressive Artists Agency

• Address: 9696 Culver Blvd # 110 Culver City, CA 90232
• Phone: +1 310 559 9700
• Email: N/A
• Website: N/A
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 3
• Represented Clients: 41
• Represents Ages: 2+
• Submission Policy: Headshot/resume by mail only. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Bernard Carneol, Belle Zwerdling, Jillana Devine

Progressive Artists Agency has just above 50 clients, and is located in Culver City, California. The agency was founded in 2013.

PAA is affiliated with several different associations, including SAG-AFRA and Equity. The agency represents clients aged from 2 years old and above in film and television. Progressive Artists Agency does not appear to have their own website or social media page, and are generally pretty secretive.

When submitting to the agency, headshots and resumes must be sent by snail mail since there’s no other way to contact them. The agency does not wish to receive calls or drop offs, and interviews take place by appointment only.

78. Catalyst Talent Agency

• Address: 12424 Wilshire Blvd 9th Fl Los Angeles, CA 90025
• Phone: +1 310 820 9195
• Email: catalysttalent@gmail.com
• Website: N/A
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 1
• Represented Clients: 30
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Steven Cutler

Catalyst Talent Agency is a pretty small agency and has a smaller number of clientele (30 represented names) and is run singlehandedly by talent agent Steven Cutler from their offices on Wilshire Blvd.

Not much information is easily available when it comes to this agency, including a lack of social media activity or even a website, but it has an email address which actors can use to contact the firm.

From its clientele, it can be deducted that the agency mainly represents talent in film.

79. Prodigy Talent

• Address: 7080 Hollywood Blvd # 1100 Hollywood, CA 90028
• Phone: +1 310 462-2310
• Email: submit@prodigytalent.net
• Website: https://prodigytalent.net/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProdigyTalent
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProdigyTalentAgency/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-montgomery-a963bb9
• Agents: 5
• Represented Clients: 277
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): N/A

Prodigy Talent is located in the heart of the film industry in Hollywood, CA. The agency currently has 277 clients, including actors whom have taken part in recent productions such as Straight Outta Compton and We’re the Millers.

PT has established an online presence through its website and through having a somewhat active Twitter and Facebook pages. On the latter media, they have received high ratings as well as have been described positively by their clients.

Prodigy Talent represents actors working in film, television, and commercials. They also represent creatives in other areas such as print and new media. They represent non-union as well as SAG-AFTRA affiliated talent. The agency defines itself as very business oriented, and only sign with actors who want to pursue acting as a serious career, and not a hobby or activity. To submit, actors should send their materials to their email address: headshots and resumes should be embedded in the email.

80. First Artists Management

• Address: 4764 Park Granada # 110 Calabasas, CA 91302
• Phone: +1 818 377 7750
• Email: fam-info@firstartistsmgmt.com
• Website: https://www.firstartistsmgmt.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fortresstalentmanagement/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-artist-management
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 43
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: No unsolicited materials. Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Vasi Vangelos, Robert Messinger, Rich Jacobellis, Randy Gerston

First Artists Management is run by a staff consisting of talent agents Vasi Vangelos and Alexander Vangelos. The firm currently has 43 clients, and holds offices pretty far from the main Los Angeles entertainment scene – in Calabasas, CA.

Established as early as 1993, the agency has been in business for over two decades. FAM has a simpler website where it lists its email for contact and some additional information. The agency states, in its own words, that it is “specializing in the representation of composers, music supervisors and music editors for film and television.” Though labelled as a talent agency, the firm does not appear to offer any representation of actors, but some research revealed that several actors have worked with FAM.

Very little else is disclosed by the firm, including information about its submission policy. There does not appear to be any reviews of the agency online, so the best way would be to contact them directly.

81. The Jerry Pace Agency

• Address: 120 South Victory Blvd. # 205 Burbank, CA 91502
• Phone: +1 818 501 8919
• Email: info@jerrypaceagency.com / latalent@jerrypaceagency.com
• Website: https://www.jerrypaceagency.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/paceagentsarah1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJerryPaceAgency/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 4
• Represented Clients: 190
• Represents Ages: 0+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail or e-mail. Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Jerry Pace, Lori Morgan, Michael Jamal, Ali Denali, Saul Levy, Pamela Woodson

The Jerry Pace Agency can brag with about 190 names on its list of clientele, including Michele Santopietro (The Sopranos). Even though they appear to have a Twitter page, it seems to have been inactive since late 2014.

The talent agency describes itself on its website as “a full service talent agency representing talent for films, television, commercials, industrials, theater, multi-media, music videos, print, soaps, and promotionals”.  The JPA is located in Burbank, CA, and is affiliated with SAG-AFTRA and AGVA. They sign with young as well older actors of all ethnicities.

When submitting materials to the agency, actors should note that the firm has specific requirements regarding the process. They want at least 5 photos (need not be professionally taken), and the requirements for what these photos should display (e.g. in one photo, actors should wear fitness clothing) can be found on the agency’s website. Actors should also include links and other material relevant to promoting themselves. Make sure to submit to their correct LA-based email address for representation in Los Angeles (“latalent@”).

82. Vesta Talent Agency

• Address: 1600 Rosecrans Ave. Media Center 4th Floor Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
• Phone: +1 310 538 8298
• Email: info@vestatalent.com
• Website: https://www.vestatalent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/vestatalent
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vestatalentagency
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 23
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Jane Schulman

Vesta Talent Agency has offices in Torrance, CA, and Manhattan Beach, CA. The agency has a smaller clientele made up of approximately 23 represented names, and is led by 2 experienced talent agents.

The agency has a website where it lists its email for submissions. Aside from describing its motto to be “talent, temperament, work ethic”, the agency does not disclose much information about themselves. On the other hand, the agency has been mentioned through an article on PrWeb, where owner Jane Schulman gives advice to actors.

From its clientele, it can be presumed that Vesta Talent primarily represents actors working in film/TV.

83. Ideal Talent Agency (I.T.A.)

• Address: 10806 Ventura Blvd # 2 Studio City, CA 91604
• Phone: +1 818 306 9223
• Email: info@idealtalent.net
• Website: https://idealtalentagency.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/idealtalent
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/idealtalent/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 5
• Represented Clients: 110
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): N/A

I.T.A. is relatively new to the field of talent representation, as it was established as recently as 2010. Nevertheless, they’ve already built up a client list consisting of an estimated 100 different names.

Located in Studio City, CA, the agency describes itself as a boutique agency which represents on screen actors and other creatives. The agency has both Facebook and Twitter profiles, which is a good sign.

Regarding submissions, I.T.A. has specific requirements towards which attention should be paid. The agency accepts unsolicited material, and submissions can be sent either to their email or via snail mail. Ideal Talent Agency wants all attached images to be smaller than 1MB. The requirements for the commercial and theatrical department’s submissions are substantially different, and can be found on their site.

84. Joseph Le Talent Agency

• Address: 3500 West Olive Avenue, # 300 Burbank, CA 91505
• Phone: +1 818 973 2705
• Email: Joseph.Le.Agency@gmail.com
• Website: N/A
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 1
• Represented Clients: 90
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): N/A

Joseph Le Talent Agency is run singlehandedly by owner Joseph Le from Burbank, California. Considering the size of the acting agency, the owner has managed to build an impressive number of 90 clients. His represented clientele includes actors Jonathan Bennett (Mean Girls) and Ian Bohen (The Dark Knight Rises).

The firm is fairly new to the entertainment industry, having opened in 2015. Currently, Joseph Le Talent has no apparent website or social media, but does have an email.

The firm has yet to advertise what type of clients they represent, although from their clientele, it can be presumed that their niche is television and film actors. This may be a good time to join a very young talent agency with a lot of promise.

85. Affinity Artists Agency

• Address: 5455 Wilshire Blvd # 1010 Los Angeles, CA 90036
• Phone: +1 323 525 0577
• Email: info@affinityartists.com
• Website: https://www.affinityartists.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/affinityartists
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AffinityArtists/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/affinity-artists-agency
• Agents: 5
• Represented Clients: 169
• Represents Ages: 5-75
• Submission Policy: Headshot/resume by mail or email. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Ross Grossman, Erich Smith, Wendy Wheaton, Christopher Holler

Affinity Artists Agency is the proud representative of 173 names. Having offices in two pivotal cities (New York City and Los Angeles), the agency represents actors working in television, film, comedy, commercials, and theater, as well as other creatives. The agency has a website.

AAA represents talent aged between 5-75 years old, and is affiliated with several associations, not limited to SAG-AFTRA and WGA. Affinity Artists states that it signs with new and more established talent alike.

Regarding submission, AAA does not accept drop offs or calls, and interviews take place by appointment. The firm allows headshots and resumes to be sent either by mail or email.

86. elev8

• Address: 489 S. Robertson Blvd. # 206 Beverly Hills, CA 90211
• Phone: +1 310 734 8688
• Email: info@elev8agency.com / jeff@elev8agency.com
• Website: https://elev8agency.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/elev8agency
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elev8agency/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 4
• Represented Clients: 141
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Nicole St. John

Perhaps rather uniquely (just as their name), elev8 represents talent both within and outside of the United States. Currently holding 144 represented clients, the agency has offices in Beverly Hills, California.

Elev8 has an email and a website which is currently under reconstruction. On its Facebook page, the agency has been reviewed favorably with high star ratings.

The agency does not disclose any details of what type of talent it represents or what their submission policy is, however, represented clientele include both television and film actors.

87. Circle Talent Associates

• Address: 401 Wilshire Blvd # 1200 Santa Monica, CA 90401
• Phone: +1 310 496 4501
• Email: info@circletalent.com
• Website: https://circletalent.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CIRCLE-TALENT-ASSOCIATES-167827273276714/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/circle-talent-assoc
• Agents: 1
• Represented Clients: 79
• Represents Ages: 2+
• Submission Policy: Headshot/resume by email only. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Jennifer Lee Garland

Located in Santa Monica, California, Circle Talent Associates are in it for the long run, having be in business for more than two decades. Run solely by Jennifer Lee Garland, the agency has (as this is being written) 79 clients, including Iron Man’s Mark Kubr.

CTA represents actors aged from 2 years old and above in four different divisions, consisting on film, television, print, and commercials. The agency openly shares information about itself on its website and on its Facebook page.

When submitting to the agency, actors fill out a contact form on CTA’s website, including their headshot and resume. The firm does not want calls or drop offs, and interviews occur only at appointment.

88. The Levin Agency

• Address: 8484 Wilshire Blvd. # 750 Beverly Hills, CA 90211
• Phone: +1 323 653 7073
• Email: levinagency@earthlink.net
• Website: https://levintalent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelevinagency/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelevinagency/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/levin-agency
• Agents: 4
• Represented Clients: 107
• Represents Ages: 2-64
• Submission Policy: Headshot/resume by mail or email. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Sid Levin, Patricia Levin, Don Cisternino, Miranda Ricketts, Sarah Good

The Levin Agency has an estimated 140 clients and is located in Beverly Hills. They are also well connected with regions outside of the US, including South America. The firm is built on a smaller staff, with talent agent Sid Levin as the owner. TLA is no stranger to social media, having profiles on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The agency represents talents in several different artistic disciplines, and sign with actors working with television, commercials, voice over, and film. The agency encourages ethnic talent to submit. As a part of their services, the agency states on their website that they introduce actors to events such as seminars.

When submitting, actors should either mail or email the agency. The Levin Agency does not want calls or drop off, and interviews occur at appointment.

89. Susan Nathe & Associates

• Address: 8281 Melrose Ave # 200 Los Angeles, CA 90046
• Phone: +1 323 653 7573
• Email: N/A
• Website: N/A
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Susan-Nathe-Associates-133448483372656/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 1
• Represented Clients: 143
• Represents Ages: 0-70
• Submission Policy: Headshot/resume/demo reel by mail only. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Susan Nathe

Susan Nathe & Associates represent 143 clients, which is an impressive figure considering that the actors agency is led single handedly by Susan Nathe. Affiliated with associations SAG-AFTRA and ATA, the agency is located in West Hollywood.

Established in the mid-80s, the agency represents actors up to 70 years old working in film, television, hosting, and commercials.

Regarding submissions, materials should be sent by mail. The firm does not want calls or drop offs, and interviews take place by appointment. Not much other information has been disclosed by them.

90. Jana Luker Agency

• Address: 20501 Ventura Blvd #115, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
• Phone: +1 310 441 2822
• Email: N/A
• Website: N/A
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/lukeragency
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janalukeragency/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jana-luker-talent-agency
• Agents: 3
• Represented Clients: 193
• Represents Ages: 3+
• Submission Policy: Headshot/resume by mail only. Use clasp envelope. Accepts postcards and invitations. No unsolicited demos. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Jana Luker, Kathy Keeley, Amy Luker

Jana Luker Agency is the talent agency behind names like Shaun Baker (V.I.P.) and Alex Hyde-White (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade). Representing about 193 clients, the agency is located in Woodland Hills, and is run by a staff of 3.

JLA represents actors aged 3 years old and above in television, film, and commercials. The agency is affiliated with WGA, Equity, and SAG-AFTRA.

In terms of submission, headshots and resumes should be sent in a clasp envelope. The firm does not take in unsolicited demos and doesn’t want drop offs or calls. They accept both invitations and postcards, yet state that interviews take place by appointments only.

91. Baron Entertainment

• Address: 13848 Ventura Blvd # A Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
• Phone: +1 323 969 1000
• Email: rod@baronentertainment.com
• Website: https://www.baronentertainment.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/baron-entertainment
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 173
• Represents Ages: 0+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail only. Accepts postcards and invitations. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Theodore Richter, Martin Herrera

Baron Entertainment has a clientele consisting of 173 represented names, and is located in Sherman Oaks, CA. The agency is expanding towards both San Diego and Las Vegas. Online, BE appears to be viewed mostly in positive terms, with users on one discussion forum stating that the agency is adventurous, supportive, and responsive.

BE represent actors working on screen in commercials, television, and film. The firm represents new as well as established talent. They also work with younger actors, including infants.

When submitting, actors should mail their resumes, photos, and/or showcase invitations to either the Los Angeles or San Diego addresses. They do not want calls or fax and emails sent to them, and they clarify on their site that interviews only occur when scheduled.

92. The Chasin Agency

• Address: 8899 Beverly Blvd. # 716 Los Angeles, CA 90048 2449
• Phone: +1 310 278 7505
• Email: chasinagency@yahoo.com
• Website: https://www.rolfsaxon.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chasin-agency
• Agents: 3
• Represented Clients: 50
• Represents Ages: 13-64
• Submission Policy: Industry referral only. No unsolicited submissions. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Tom Chasin, Rachel Urban

The Chasin Agency is located in West Hollywood, and is run by a staff of 3, representing approximately 50 clients. The agency has represented actors in well-known modern productions, including Sofia Milos in CSI: Miami and Lorna Loft in Grease 2.

The agency represents actors between ages 13-64 in film and television. It also represents creatives like producers and screenwriters. Chasin Agency is affiliated with SAG-AFTRA, WGA, and DGA.

In terms of submission, the firm’s policy is to accept only industry referrals. The agency does not want calls or drop offs. There appears to be next to none mention of the agency online, apart from a website which lists the agency’s email and not much else.

93. Angel City Talent

• Address: 8318 Kirkwood Dr Los Angeles, CA 90046
• Phone: +1 323 656 5489
• Email: angelcitysubmissions@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.angelcitytalent.biz/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/angelcitytalent
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Angel-City-Talent-117324608297308/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 1
• Represented Clients: 123
• Represents Ages: 0+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by email only. Attends showcases and plays, locally, regionally, and nationally. No calls.
• Submit to Agent(s): Mimi Mayer, Sarah Dunn

Angel City Talent has been around for more than twenty years and is run by Mimi Mayer. With about 125 represented names that can be added to its repertoire, the agency is located deep in West Hollywood hills. The agency has a website and a Facebook page where it posts information about events such as casting calls.

The agency represents a diverse range of talent, saying in its own words that it “focuses on maintaining a solid, reliable and innovative roster of motion picture, television, commercial, print and hosting talent.”

In terms of submission policy, Angel City Talent wants materials (without attachments, only links or embedded materials) to be sent to their email address. The agency considers submissions from established adult actors aged 18-109 within theater and commercials. ACT does not want any calls.

94. Alvarado Rey Agency

• Address: 7906 Santa Monica Blvd. # 205 Hollywood, CA 90046-5169
• Phone: +1 323 656 2277
• Email: sendabcd@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.alvaradorey.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlvaradoReyAgency
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 3
• Represented Clients: 145
• Represents Ages: 2-64
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail or email. Accepts demos by email. Do not attach files, include links only. Accepts postcards and invitations. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Nikkolas Rey, Cinthia Becks, Alex Lara, Aaron Leider, Philippe Macridis

Alvarado Rey Agency holds offices in Hollywood, CA, and currently has 145 represented clients. The agency is no stranger to the entertainment industry, having been around since 1941 – one of the oldest firms around. Alvarado Rey Agency has received praise on their Facebook page, with reviews stating that the firm has integrity and that it is professional and committed.

The agency represents actors aged 2-64 years old working both in commercial and theatrical fields. Not only does it represent American talent, it has also signed with names from Europe and Latin America. They also represent creatives working in for example comedy.

When submitting, actors should know that the agency accepts both headshots and resumes sent by mail and email, but in the case of emails, they want demos sent only as links. The firm does not want calls or drop offs, but accepts postcards and invitations. ARA states that interviews take place only by appointment.

95. AC Talent Agency

• Address: 8447 Wilshire Blvd Beverly Hills, CA 90211
• Phone: +1 323 878 0800
• Email: Info@ACtalentagency.com
• Website: https://www.actalentagency.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/actalentagency
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/actalentagency/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-chudoba-5577643
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 65
• Represents Ages: 0+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail or email. Accepts postcards and invitations. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Anna Chudoba, Stephanie Murillo

AC Talent Agency has their office west of La Brea, and also works from Las Vegas. The agency was established in 2006, and currently has a relatively moderate clientele consisting of 62 signed names. AC Talent is affiliated with SAG-AFTRA.

The firm has partnered with Next Model Management, and together they represent creatives working in commercials, television and film, print, hosting, and much more. They work with children and adults alike. Note that while there are no negative responses about AC, it seems that Next Model Management isn’t viewed too favorably by their clients, based on some online research.

Either way, to submit to the AC talent agency, actors without agents looking for representation must fill in a contact form on the firm’s website including details such as age and appearance. They’re also pretty active on social media.

96. FireStarter Entertainment

• Address: 4304 Wildwest Circle Moorpark, CA 93021
• Phone: +1 213 531 0547
• Email: info@firestarterentertainment.com
• Website: https://www.firestarterentertainment.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/FSE_Talent
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fsetalent/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firesarter-entertainment
• Agents: 6
• Represented Clients: 219
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): N/A

FireStarter Entertainment holds offices in Moorpark, CA, and has a pretty large clientele for their size consisting of roughly 200 names. They represent talent in both Los Angeles, CA and New York City, NY. Though being relatively small staffed, the agency seems to have very experienced talent agents who each have a history of working professionally with actors in LA and NYC.

The agency represents actors and other creatives working in film, television, commercials, theater, and print. FSE has an established social media presence through its profiles on Facebook and Instagram.

In order to submit to the firm, actors must fill in a form on their website.

97. Nancy Chaidez & Associates

• Address: 6340 Coldwater Canyon #214 North Hollywood, CA 91605
• Phone: +1 323 467 8954
• Email: info@nancychaidez.com
• Website: https://www.nancychaidez.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/NancyChaidez
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nancy-Chaidez-Agency-145474758801477/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 1
• Represented Clients: 196
• Represents Ages: 2+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail or email, email preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s):Nancy Chaidez, Maria Chaidez

Nancy Chaidez & Associates is located in North Hollywood, and is run by talent agent Maria Chaidez. Representing a wide range of creative talent, the agency currently has 193 clients, including Brian Graham, known from Sons of Anarchy. The agency has a website and an email for submissions. NCA also has a regularly updated Facebook and Twitter pages, which is always a great sign.

NCA is affiliated with both WAGA and SAG-AFTRA. The firm represents actors from 2 years old and up in television, film, and voice over. The agency also represents talent in other fields, including producers.

The agency prefers submissions to be sent via email, but also allow mail. They do not accept calls or drop offs, and invitations occur only at appointment.

98. The Strain Group

• Address: 5455 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90036
• Phone: +1 323 525 3391
• Email: N/A
• Website: N/A
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProdigyTalentAgency/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 1
• Represented Clients: 17
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Peter Strain

The Strain Group is run by Peter Strain and currently has a smaller clientele consisting of 17 creatives. Located in Miracle Mile, this talent agency for actors does not reveal much about themselves on the Internet. From its clientele, however, it can be assumed that the agency mainly represents actors working in film.

Before contacting the agency, actors should take into consideration the agency’s credibility and reputation. Two years ago, NY Daily News wrote an article about the agency’s owner coming into some trouble. It’s difficult to assess how credible or accurate that article is, so it’s highly encouraged that actors research the agency and the owners before proceeding with submissions.

99. JVC Talent Agency

• Address: 11030 Ventura Blvd # 2 Studio City, CA 91604
• Phone: +1 323 420 3800
• Email: jvctalent@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.jenniferaquino.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jennaquino25
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jvctalentagency/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 1
• Represented Clients: 53
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Yuliya Rodriguez

JVC Talent Agency holds offices in Studio City and represents 53 names, mostly actors. This is a moderately high figure, given that the agency is run solely by talent agent Yuliya Rodriguez. JVC was founded in 2010.

The agency represents creatives working in film, television, voice over, and print. On its Facebook page, the agency has received high ratings and has been described to be passionate and possessing a good work ethic, according to its clients.

JVC has an email for contact. Other than this and the information listed above, the agency does not appear to have a lot of publicly available details about themselves.

100. Productions Plus

• Address: 879 W 190th Street # 1150 Gardena, CA 90248
• Phone: +1 310 324 5544
• Email: hrosenberg@Productions-Plus.com
• Website: https://www.productions-plus.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Productionsplus
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProductionsPlusTheTalentShop/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/productions_plus_the_talent_shop
• Agents: 5
• Represented Clients: 137
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): N/A

Productions Plus agency has been around since the early 80’s, and have 137 clients to show for their time in the business. The agency describes itself as a full service agency, with offices across the US in cities Detroit, Los Angeles, Chicago, Orange County, and New York City.

The firm offers a range of services, including training for actors. The agency appears to represent all types of acting talent, including voice over. To submit to the agency, actors should mail their submission material, which includes a cover letter, contact info, headshot, and resume. When applying as a voice over actor, the firm has additional requirements which can be viewed at PP’s website.

The agency lists acting openly lists opportunities for actors on their website. They are also active on social media, through profiles on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Productions Plus has received mixed reviews on Facebook, with some users stating that the company is professional and that they have a good brand awareness, whilst others have commented that they’re payments from the firm were often delayed.

101. Avant Artists

• Address: 4869 Topanga Canyon Blvd # 2 Woodland Hills, CA 91364
• Phone: +1 818 609 1556
• Email: info@avantartists.com / submission@avantartists.com
• Website: https://www.avantartists.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/avantartists
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avantartists/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 4
• Represented Clients: 173
• Represents Ages: 1-88
• Submission Policy: Send materials by email only. Include headshots/resume/cover letter about yourself (where you are from, where you were trained, how you see yourself being cast, and what casting age range you think belong in.)
• Submit to Agent(s): N/A

Avant Artists holds offices in Woodland Hills, and is run by a team of 4 talent agents representing 173 clients. The agency has signed with actors working in famous productions, including Brittany Slattery (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) and Susan Macke Miller (Paper Towns).

The agency has a website and have a theatrical, commercial, print, and youth division. On their Facebook page, the agency currently has top ratings, and has been described as being responsive and having agents who put faith in their clients.

Avant Artists accept submissions sent via email and mail. Adult actors who are not industry referrals should include a cover letter (details found on website), resume, headshot or comp card, demo reel if you have one, and what type of representation you are seeking. The agency does not want calls or drop offs, and state that they will respond within a month if they are interested.

102. 369 Universal Artists

• Address: 468 N Camden Dr # 100 Beverly Hills, CA 90210
• Phone: +1 323 461 3833
• Email: 369universal@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.369ua.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/369-Universal-Artists-167976749891909/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/369-universal-artist
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 36
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): N/A

369 Universal Artists is located in Beverly Hills, CA, and represents actors like Ryan Lane (Switched at Birth) and approximately 36 other creatives. The actors agency describes itself as a boutique talent agency which aims to be diverse and easier to get into for newbie actors.

The firm was formed less than a decade ago in 2010, and represents actors working in theatrical and commercial projects, as well as other creative talent.

The agency has a website where it lists an email that can be used for actors to contact them. 369 Universal Artists also have a Facebook page, however, these do not appear be frequently updated.

103. Spectrum Talent

• Address: 9107 Wilshire Blvd # 450 Beverly Hills, CA 90210
• Phone: +1 310 862 4922
• Email: spectrumentertainmentinc@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.spectrumtalent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/spectrumentla
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Spectrumtalentco/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spectrum-talent-management
• Agents: 3
• Represented Clients: 177
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): N/A

Holding offices in Beverly Hills, Spectrum Talent can hardly be described as a newcomer to the entertainment industry. Founded in the mid-90s, the agency represents an estimated 170+ clients, and has now also expanded internationally to cover South Korea and the Netherlands. Within the US, the agency also covers cities Las Vegas and New York City.

Spectrum Talent represents many different types of talent, amongst them being actors in film and television. As well as having a website, the agency also appears actively involved with social media like Facebook and Twitter, which is great for actors looking to follow them and make connections.

When submitting to the agency, ST has a contact form on their website. The talent firm does not list whether they prefer industry referrals to unsolicited material, but that’s most likely the case as it is with a large majority of other agencies, whether huge ones or boutiques.

104. Circle of 10 Talent

• Address: 333 El Camino Real # 200 Tustin, CA 92780
• Phone: +1 949 701 6215
• Email: joe@circleof10talent.com
• Website: https://www.circleof10talent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/circle10talent
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CircleOf10Talent/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 1
• Represented Clients: 81
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Send materials by email only. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Joe Florance

Circle of 10 Talent currently represents a smaller clientele consisting of about 70 names such as Michael Foster (Remember the Titans). The agency is run single handedly by agent Joe Florance and holds offices in Tustin, California – an unusual location for a talent agency, quite far from the industry in central LA.

Besides representing actors, Circle of 10 Talent also offers literary reviews and script consultations. The agency states on its website that it represents actors working in both theatrical and commercial divisions.

In terms of submission, the agency wants materials sent to their email. The agency appears to have very few online mentions, yet has a presence through its Facebook page.

105. Gar Lester Agency (GLA)

• Address: 11026 Ventura Blvd # 10 Studio City, CA 91604
• Phone: +1 818 769 1400
• Email: info@glatalent.com
• Website: https://www.glatalent.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 143
• Represents Ages: 2-64
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail only. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Gar Lester, Curtis Hayes, David Lester

GLA is the agency which stands behind creative talent like Morgan Brittany (Dallas), Richard King (Ant-man), and Michael Kopelow (Point Break). All in all, this 2 people staffed agency represents close to 150 names, and is located in Studio City, CA.

Gar Lester Agency represents actors aged 2-64 years old working in film, television, and commercials. The agency states on its website that some of the qualities it looks for in a potential client include an ability to seize opportunities, professionality, and willingness to learn.

When submitting to the agency, GLA wants materials send by snail mail. The firm does not accept drop offs. The agency favors referrals over unsolicited materials, as is usual.

106. Abstract Talent Agency

• Address: 5023 N Parkway Calabasas, CA 91302
• Phone: +1 818-876-9647
• Email: terry@abstracttalentagency.com / jan@abstracttalentagency.com
• Website: https://www.abstracttalentagency.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abstracttalentagency/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 75
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Terry Mandel, Jan Rosenthal

Located in Calabasas, CA, Abstract Talent Group is led by agents Terry Mandel and Jan Rosenthal. This actors agency currently has a moderate number of 69 clients, including Jim Tavaré, known for his performance in Harry Potter and the Prince of Azkaban.

The firm has an online presence through its Facebook page, where they have been generally praised. The agency also has a website which states that Abstract Talent represents children and adults in theatrical as well as commercial work.

ATA is affiliated with SAG. To reach the agency, actors can use either email address listed above to reach them and submit the materials. The agency does not appear to openly disclose a submission policy.

107. Sandra Marsh & Associates

• Address: 6420 Wilshire Blvd # 880 Los Angeles, CA 90048
• Phone: +1 310 285 0303
• Email: info@sandramarsh.com
• Website: https://www.sandramarsh.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 7
• Represented Clients: 100
• Represents Ages: 18-64
• Submission Policy: Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Sandra Marsh, Rocco Hindman, Michael Vasquez, Gary Roisentul, Jason Karten, Kate O’Reilly-Jones

Sandra Marsh & Associates is made up of a staff of 7 employees, representing 101 clients from well-known productions (including Sean Bobbitt, known for 12 Years A Slave). The agency has their office just north of Pico-Robertson. The firm describes themselves in their own words as a “truly international talent agency”.

The agency has been around for about 30 years, and has a website for more details. Their clientele consistent of very few actors and mostly represent creatives from related fields, such as producers and costume designers. To reach the agency, there is a contact form which can be used on their website.

SMA are collaborating with Casarotto Marsh and Cameron Management.

108. The Stander Group

• Address: 4533 Van Nuys Blvd # 401 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
• Phone: +1 818 905 7000
• Email: info@scottstander.com / submissions@ScottStander.com
• Website: https://www.scottstander.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 3
• Represented Clients: 139
• Represents Ages: 5+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail or email. Accepts postcards and invitations. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Scott Stander, Jacqueline Stander, Samantha Botana

The Stander Group is located in Sherman Oaks, and has a moderately large clientele momentarily consisting of 140 names. The acting talent firm has been around for 30 years, according to its website.

The agency represents actors from 5 years old and up working in film and television, commercials, voice over, stunts, and musical theater. The agency also represents other talent, including dancers and singers.

Regarding submissions, headshots and resumes can be sent via mail or email. The agency accepts invitations and postcards, but does not want calls or drop offs. Interviews occur at appointment.

109. Allensworth Entertainment

• Address: 433 N Camden Dr 4th Fl Beverly Hills, CA 90210
• Phone: +1 323 333 5493
• Email: info@allensworthentertainment.com
• Website: https://www.allensworthentertainment.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SLAllensworth
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Allensworth-Entertainment-175299702521187/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 4
• Represented Clients: 37
• Represents Ages: 18-64
• Submission Policy: Submissions through website. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Stephanie Allensworth, Sandy Kaye

Allensworth Entertainment is a fairly fresh face in the LA’s talent industry pool – it was established in 2008. Perhaps as a result of this, the agency has a smaller clientele currently consisting of about 50 represented clients.

AE is located in Beverly Hills, and has received praise on its Facebook page with high ratings and positive reviews from their clients. The agency represents actors and other creatives working in commercials, film, television, print, and voice over. At the time of this writing, the agency has stated that it is not taking any talent, and that actors who picture themselves potentially signing with the firm in the future should submit at a later time.

When submitting, actors should consider that all prospective clients of AE are SAG-AFTRA affiliated and are established as opposed to just emerging talent. Also, in the submission, actors should include a cover letter and maximum 4 quality headshots in color. For more specific guidelines, check out the agency’s website.

110. Berman/Sacks Talent Agency

• Address: 8335 Sunset Blvd # 225 West Hollywood, CA 90069
• Phone: +1 323 337 9033
• Email: bookme@bermansacks.com
• Website: https://www.bermansacks.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebermansacks
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/THEBERMANSACKS/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 1
• Represented Clients: 30
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): N/A

Berman/Sacks Talent Agency holds its offices in West Hollywood and has a relatively small client list with 31 represented creatives.

The agency has been reviewed online, and has received poor ratings based on some little online research. It’s highly recommended that actors do their own due diligence for this agency before submitting. However, it should be kept in mind that discussion forums should not be considered fully reliable, and other viewpoints need to be taken into mind in order to get a fuller picture of this Hollywood based acting agency.

The agency has a simpler website where it lists its physical and digital addresses. BSTA does not seem to disclose any form of submission policy or requirements for representation, but viewing its clientele, it can be assumed that the firm mainly represents actors in film and television.

111. The Skouras Agency

• Address: 1149 Third St 3rd Fl Santa Monica, CA 90403
• Phone: +1 310 395 9550
• Email: hilary@skouras.com
• Website: https://www.skouras.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/skourasagency
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MurthaSkourasAgency/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 1
• Represented Clients: 19
• Represents Ages: 18-64
• Submission Policy: Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Spyros Skouras, Lara Polivka Sackett, Hilary McQuaide, Marie Perry, Hillary Corinne Cook, Holland Murray

The Skouras Agency can add representation of creatives in famous productions like World War Z, Blade Runner, and American Gangster to its list of clientele. The agency currently has 19 signed clients and has an office in Santa Monica, CA.

Though labelled a talent agency, the firm does not appear to specialize in actor representation only. From their website, it seems that clients mainly consist of cinematographers, costume designers, and similar professions with a handful of actors but not too many. Represented ages are 18-64 years old.

In order to contact the agency, Skouras has listed several email addresses in both the theatrical and commercial department, which viewers can find on their website.

112. William Kerwin Agency

• Address: 1605 N Cahuenga Blvd # 202 Hollywood, CA 90028
• Phone: +1 323 469 5155
• Email: wka@williamkerwinagency.com
• Website: https://williamkerwinagency.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/williamkerwinagency/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/william-kerwin-agency
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 63
• Represents Ages: 0+
• Submission Policy: Submit materials by mail (add “Attn: New Talent”) or by email (with the subject line “New Talent Submission.”) Include all relevant links. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): William Kerwin, Tina Hunt, Chrissy Joy

William Kervin Agency is run by agents Chrissy Joy and William Kerwin. The agency holds offices in Hollywood, and represents a moderately high number of 63 names. The agency was founded in the late 1970s, and calls itself a “boutique agency.”

The agency is active on social media, and they have a site for more details. The firm represents talent working in film, television, commercials, voice over, theater and print.

To submit to the agency, actors should send an email or mail, the former in which the subject headline is “New Talent Submission”. There should be no attachments, any files or demos only be sent as links. The agency does not accept drop offs.

113. Jaime Ferrar Agency

• Address: 4741 Laurel Canyon Blvd # 110 Valley Village, CA 91607
• Phone: +1 818 506 8311
• Email: assistant@jfala.com
• Website: https://www.jfala.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JFALosAngeles/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 3
• Represented Clients: 80
• Represents Ages: 6+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail or email, but email preferred. Do not attach files, include links only. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Jaime Ferrar, Joey Robson

The Jaime Ferrar Agency is located in Valley Village, CA, and is led by CEO and talent agent Jaime Ferrar. The firm represents clients like Eric Aragon (The Perfect Wedding) and 78 other names.

JFA has a website where they describe themselves as a “boutique” agency that has been around since 2003. This Hollywood talent agency represents (in its own words) “actors in all areas”. Represented actors are aged from 6 years old and above, preferably Latino/bilingual actors. JFA is affiliated with SAG-AFTRA.

Jaime Ferrar Agency wants submissions sent over email. There should be no attachments in the email, only links. The agency does not want drop offs or calls.

114. The Culbertson Group

• Address:  9107 Wilshire Blvd # 450 Beverly Hills, CA 90210
• Phone:  +1 323 650 9454
• Email:  culbertsongroup@gmail.com
• Website: N/A
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn:  N/A
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 130
• Represents Ages:  18+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by email only. No unsolicited demos. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Lorri Herman,  Eddie Culbertson

The Culbertson Group currently represents 130 clients, including Edward Edwards, known for RoboCop. The agency has offices in Beverly Hills, and is led by a small staff of 2.

The CG represents actors aged 18 years and above in television, film, and commercials.

In terms of submission, the agency wants headshots, resumes, and demos sent by email. Actors should keep in mind, however, that unsolicited demos are not accepted by the agency. The agency does not take calls or drop offs, and interviews take place only by appointment. The CG is affiliated with SAG-AFTRA and ATA.

115. JKA Talent

• Address:  12725 Ventura Boulevard # H Studio City, CA 91604
• Phone:  +1 818 980 2093
• Email:  jkatalentagency@gmail.com
• Website: N/A
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn:  N/A
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 48
• Represents Ages:  2-64
• Submission Policy: No unsolicited submissions. Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s):  James Kellem,  Shannon McLaren,  Brad Benham

JKA Talent holds offices in Studio City, CA. This talent agency LA currently represents a smaller clientele consisting of 48 creatives. The agency does not appear to have their own website, and there is very little mention of the agency online nor are they active on social media.

The agency was founded more than 10 years ago, and represents actors aged between 2-64 years old working in film and television, as well as other creatives such as directors.

The agency does not accept unsolicited submissions. It is affiliated with several associations, including SAG-AFTRA.

116. Marlene Agency

• Address:  4150 Via Dolce Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
• Phone:  +1 310 578 5099
• Email:  marnie28@ca.rr.com
• Website:  https://www.themarleneagency.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarleneAgency
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMarleneAgency/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marleneagency
• Agents: 1
• Represented Clients: 79
• Represents Ages:  N/A
• Submission Policy:  Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s):  Marlene Hartje

Marlene Agency is run singlehandedly by an experience talent agent Marlene Hartje, and at the moment has 73 clients. The agency is located in Marina Del Rey, CA.

On the agency’s website it is stated that it represents actors, but does not specify within what areas. The agency encourages actors to submit to them via their email or contact them via phone.

On its Facebook page, Marlene Agency has received positive ratings, though at the moment, there are less than 10 reviews on the page. The agency is affiliated with SAG-AFTRA.

117. First Class Talent Agency

• Address: 13440 Ventura Blvd. 2nd Fl. Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
• Phone: +1 818-424-3280
• Email: fctsubmissions@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.firstclasstalentagency.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/fctagency
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fctagency/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 93
• Represents Ages:  N/A
• Submission Policy:  Send materials by email. Accepts unsolicited submissions, but prefers referrals.
• Submit to Agent(s):  N/A

First Class Talent Agency holds offices in Sherman Oaks. The agency was formed as recently as 2010, and has just short of 100 represented clients.

The agency describes itself as a diverse boutique agency. FCTA represents Los Angeles based actors working in commercials, print, television, film, and voice over. The agency sometimes alters between requesting either solely commercial or theatrical talent, and for these two divisions, the submission requirements differ. These requirements can be found on the agency’s website.

When submitting, actors should send their materials (including links, headshot, and resume) via email. The agency accepts unsolicited submissions, but prefers industry or manager referrals.

118. Cavaleri & Associates

• Address:  3500 W. Olive Ave. # Burbank, CA 91505
• Phone:  +1 818 955 9300
• Email:  cavaleri@hotmail.com
• Website: https://cavaleritalent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/cavaleritalent
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 4
• Represented Clients: 102
• Represents Ages: 6+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail only. Accepts postcards and invitations. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Ray Cavaleri, Renae Bell, Al Choi

Cavaleri & Associates is led by 4 agents and currently has 105 clients. The agency holds offices in Burbank, CA, and has represented talent in notorious productions such as Flashdance, Mad Max: Fury Road, and Batman Forever.

The agency represents a diverse range of actors aged from 6 years old and above working in stunt, theater, film, television, and commercials. CA also represents other creatives, like screenwriters and directors.

Regarding submissions, Cavaleri & Associates wants headshots and resumes sent only by mail, and does not take calls or drop offs. They do, however, accept postcards and invites. The agency holds interviews only at appointment. CA is affiliated with several associations, including SAG-AFTRA and Equity.

119. Pacific Talent & Models

• Address: 1600 Rosecrans Ave Media Center, 4th Fl Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
• Phone: +1 310 321 7670
• Email: info@pacifictalent.tv
• Website: https://www.pacifictalentandmodels.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pacific-Talent-and-Models-Inc-158122267569902/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-talent-&-models
• Agents: 5
• Represented Clients: 68
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy:  Send materials by email or mail to specific divisions (check the website).
• Submit to Agent(s):  N/A

Pacific Talent & Models profiles itself as an international agency which has was established more than two decades ago in 1993. The agency holds offices in Manhattan Beach, and currently has 68 clients.

The agency represents creatives such as models and hosts, but also actors. This LA acting agency has divisions (relevant to actors) which are dedicated to theatrical and commercial representation, for young and older talent alike.

Each division has specific requirements when sending submissions to either their email or the firm’s physical mailing address. For actors applying to the theatrical division, they should for example remember to include a resume, reel, and headshots. Actors should also address the department they are applying to. Regarding the type of headshots and photos wanted by PTM, actors can check out the website for more specific details.

120. Beverly Hecht Agency

• Address:  12100 Wilshire Boulevard # 800 Los Angeles, CA 90025
• Phone:  +1 818 559 5600
• Email:  submissions@beverlyhecht.com / assistant@beverlyhecht.com
• Website:  https://www.beverlyhecht.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/bevhechtagency
• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/beverly-hecht-agency
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 37
• Represents Ages:   0+
• Submission Policy:  Send materials by email. Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Robert Depp, Kristen Flores

Beverly Hecht Agency represents a smaller client list consisting of 36 represented names, and is located in Brentwood. The agency is currently run by a staff of 2, with the owner being an experienced talent agent Robert Depp.

Although the agency does seem to have a website, this is at the moment under reconstruction and thus inaccessible. The agency represents actors of all ages working in film, theater, commercial, and television.

In terms of submissions, these can be mailed in the form of headshots and resumes to their email. The agency is affiliated with SAG-AFTRA and ATA.

121. Green and Green Talent Group

• Address: 6363 Wilshire Blvd # 420 Los Angeles, CA 90048
• Phone: +1 310 720 9169
• Email: greenandgreenla@gmail.com
• Website: N/A
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenandgreenla/
• LinkedIn:  N/A
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 105
• Represents Ages:  N/A
• Submission Policy:  Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s):  N/A

Green and Green Talent Group is located near La Brea and has a moderately large client lists (including 100 represented names) given its small staff.

Although appearing to not have a website of its own, this LA talent agency has a Facebook page where it states that for over 2 decades it has represented on screen actors in film, television, and commercials.

Apart from the information above, the agency does not appear to disclose a lot of information about itself. The agency does, however, have an email which actors can use to contact them.

122. Integrity Talent Agency

• Address:  2600 W. Olive Ave. 5th Floor Burbank, CA 91505
• Phone:  +1 818-386-8592
• Email:  Integritytalentagency@gmail.com
• Website:  https://integritytalentagency.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/integritytalentmanagement/
• LinkedIn:  N/A
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 123
• Represents Ages:  3-80
• Submission Policy:  Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Ashley Luxenberg

Integrity Talent Agency is the agency standing behind creatives like Afton Jillian (Empire) and Stephanie Nogueras (Switched at Birth). Currently representing a total of 122 clients, the agency is located in Burbank.

Integrity Talent has a simpler website where its lists the contact info to the agency and its agents. Apart from this, the agency does not openly advertise itself or what its submission requirements are. It does, on the other hand, state that interviews take place by appointment only.

From its clientele, it can be presumed that the agency mainly represents actors working in film and television.

123. All American Rascals Talent Agency

• Address: 10250 Constellation Blvd # 2320 Los Angeles, CA 90067
• Phone: +1 323 686 6001
• Email: rascalstalent@aol.com
• Website: https://www.allamericanrascals.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn:  N/A
• Agents: 3
• Represented Clients: 70
• Represents Ages:  N/A
• Submission Policy:   Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s):  N/A

All American Rascals Talent Agency is fairly new as a firm, having started in 2007. The acting firm is located in Century City, and has a notably smaller client list consisting of 67 represented names.

The agency has 3 divisions which are made up of a theatrical, commercial, and children department. The agency specifies on their website that they represent actors whom are available and dedicated. The agency also has other specific requirements, found on their website, which actors should read carefully as it could make the difference between being and not being signed by the agency.

In terms of submission, AARTA wants submissions sent to their email. These should include a resume, passport, photographs, and online demos (specific requirements for these can be found on the website).

124. Bicoastal Talent & Literary Agency

• Address:  2600 W. Olive Ave. # 500 Burbank, CA 91505
• Phone:  +1 818 559 6422
• Email:  liz@BiCoastaltalent.com / submissions@BiCoastaltalent.com
• Website:  https://www.bicoastaltalent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/bicoastaltalent
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BiCoastalTalent/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 6
• Represented Clients: 104
• Represents Ages:  3+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail or email. No unsolicited manuscripts. Meetings by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s):  Liz Hanley,  Greta Hanley,  Niche Martin

Established in 2001, Bicoastal Talent & Literary Agency well-known as a boutique LA agency. The firm is located in Burbank, and currently represents 104 clients.

The agency represents both new and established creatives working in writing and film/TV acting. Bicoastal Talent represents actors aged from 3 years and above.

When submitting, actors can choose to either email the agency or contact them via mail. The submitted material should include headshots and a resume. Actors are discouraged from calling or leaving drop offs to the agency. The agency has specified that interviews occur only at appointment. More details about the agency can be found on their site or on their Facebook and Twitter page.

125. MMV

• Address: 4221 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 2903 Los Angeles, CA 90010
• Phone: +1 323-206-5050
• Email: info@mmvagency.com
• Website: https://www.mmvagency.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 1
• Represented Clients: 11
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs. Submissions by email (call beforehand).
• Submit to Agent(s): Jayson Kinslow

MMV only has 11 clients and is run by one acting agent (Jayson Kinslow), yet represents five different divisions. These are listed as television, commercials, film, directing, and writing. The firm is located in the heart of Hollywood on Wilshire Blvd.

The owner, Jayson Kinslow, appears very experienced in the field through having worked with several types of talent, including youth and adult commercial. Kinslow has profiled MMVA as a selective “boutique agency”. The agency has a website too for more information.

In terms of submission policy, MMVA wants photos of good quality and shorter demo reel clips sent by email. If the actor does not have a demo reel, then a video of a monologue works as a substitute. It should be noted that to submit material, actors need to call ahead for an email address, as otherwise, unsolicited material is not accepted to their main email address.

126. The Stevens Group

• Address:  14011 Ventura Blvd # 201 Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
• Phone:  +1 818 528 3674
• Email: N/A
• Website:  N/A
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/stevens-group-talent-agency
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 60
• Represents Ages:  13+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail only. Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs. Accepts postcards and invitations.
• Submit to Agent(s): Steven Stevens,  Steven Stevens Jr

The Stevens Group is run by a staff consisting of 2 talent agents and has 60 represented clients, including Richard Kiel (Tangled), Peggy Stewart (That’s My Boy), and Rob Adams (Forrest Gump). The agency holds offices in Sherman Oaks.

Although not appearing to have a website, the agency has been rated positively by a few users on Facebook (they don’t have any of their own social media pages). The agency represents actors from 13 years old and above working in film, television, and commercials.

The Stevens Group wants headshots, demos, and resumes to be sent by mail. They do not take calls or drop offs, but accept invites and postcards. Interviews occur at appointment. They agency is affiliated with SAG-AFTRA.

127. Rebel Entertainment Partners

• Address:  5700 Wilshire Blvd # 456 Los Angeles, CA 90036
• Phone:  +1 323 935 1700
• Email:  inquiry@reptalent.com
• Website:  https://www.reptalent.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/rebel-entertainment-partners
• Agents: 6
• Represented Clients: 83
• Represents Ages:  13+
• Submission Policy: Industry referral only. No unsolicited submissions. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Richard Lawrence, Joyce Goertzen, Debra Goldfarb, Philip Irven, Denise Draper, Jared Thompson, Allie Barham, Felesha Anderson, William McNeal

Rebel Entertainment Partners have been around for approximately 3 decades, and currently represent 83 clients. This LA acting agency is located in Miracle Mile, and has a moderately sized staff consisting of 6 employees.

Although the agency also represents actors aged 13 years and above working in film and television, according to its website their main niche is television.

To contact the agency, actors can us their email but should keep in mind that unsolicited material will not be reviewed. The agency is affiliated with several associations, including SAG-AFTRA.

128. Arete Talent Agency

• Address:  454 N. Robertson Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90048
• Phone:  +1 424 278 1601
• Email:  aretetalent@gmail.com
• Website:  https://www.aretetalent.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/arete-talent-agency
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 57
• Represents Ages:  18-64
• Submission Policy:  Send materials by email only. Industry referral preferred.
• Submit to Agent(s):  Lisa Reider,  Ricky Grycan

Arete Talent Agency holds offices in West Hollywood, and currently has 57 clients, including Charles Christopher (Mad Men). The agency was founded in 2009.

ATA represents actors aged 18-64 years old working in television and film. The agency wants headshots and resumes to be sent by email.

The agency has a simpler website but it does not list a submission policy or any further details.

129. Beal Talent & Associates

• Address:  8300 Tampa Ave. # K Northridge, CA 91324
• Phone:  +1 818 775 0018
• Email:  info@bealtalent.com
• Website:  https://www.bealtalent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/bealtalentassoc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BealTalentandAssociates/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-palmer-beal-a3657940
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 108
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only.
• Submit to Agent(s): Lisandra Pineulas, Debbie Palmer Beal

BTA currently represented 105 clients and holds offices in Northridge, California. The acting agency is led by agents Lisandra Pineulas and Debbie Palmer Beal.

The agency has a simpler website, and a Facebook page. On the latter, they have received high ratings and positive comments, including statements that the firm is hardworking and supportive towards its clients.

The agency represents actors working in commercial, print, television, and film. To contact the agency, actors can use their email. No submission policy has been outlined by the agency.

130. Malaky International

• Address: 205 S. Beverly Dr. # 211 Beverly Hills, CA 90212
• Phone: +1 310 777 7560
• Email: malaky.int@sbcglobal.net
• Website: N/A
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn:  N/A
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 163
• Represents Ages: 18-64
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail only. No drop-ins. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s):  Virginia Dib,  J.R. Dib

Malaky International is located in Beverly Hills, and currently represents 163 names, majority of them actors and entertainers. The agency is led by agents J.R. Dib and Virginia Dib, and has signed with clients such as Andy Davoli (Knockaround Guys), Monique Edwards (The Social Network), and Noel Thurman (The Good Doctor).

The agency represents actors aged 18-64 years old working in stunt, film, and television. The agency also represents other creatives, such as hosts and comedians. The agency does not seem to have a website or any social media presence whatsoever.

Malaky International is affiliated with SAG-AFTRA. When submitting to the agency, actors should only send materials by snail mail. MI does not want drop offs.

131. McDonald Selznick Associates (MSA)

• Address:  953 Cole Ave Los Angeles, CA 90038
• Phone:  +1 323 957 6680
• Email:  julie@msaagency.com
• Website:  https://www.msaagency.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSAAGENCY
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MSAagency/
• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/mcdonald-selznick-associates
• Agents: 10
• Represented Clients: 123
• Represents Ages:  2+
• Submission Policy: Use website for submissions. No unsolicited submissions.
• Submit to Agent(s): Julie McDonald, Tony Selznick, JC Gutierrez, Jenn Proctor, Shelli Margheritis,  Brandon Louis, Brandon Louis, Chelsea Blake, Bre O’Toole, Nikki Della Penta, Mara Boyce, David Gromik, Rebecca Harrell, Lori Santalla, Daniel Shirk

MSA holds offices in Los Angeles (Hollywood) and New York City. The agency has an estimated 120 clients, and have represented talents in productions like Dancing With The Stars, Star Trek Into Darkness, and This Is IT. The agency has received about a 100 reviews on their Facebook page, with their current rating being about 4.5 stars.

On their website, the agency profiles itself as a firm which represents a diverse range of artistic talent, including actors. What makes the agency appear unique in contrast to other LA talent agencies is that it not only represents creatives like actors working in film, television, and musical theatre, but also educators like instructors and public speakers.

When submitting to the agency, actors fill in a form on the agency’s website, includes details about what type of representation is sought, union affiliation, and past representation.

132. Brant Rose Agency

• Address: 6671 Sunset Blvd # 1584B Los Angeles, CA 90028
• Phone: +1 323 460 6464
• Email: hub@brantroseagency.com
• Website:  https://www.brantroseagency.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/brant-rose-agency
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 52
• Represents Ages:  18-64
• Submission Policy: No unsolicited submissions.
• Submit to Agent(s): Brant Rose, Toochis Morin

Brant Rose Agency currently represents 52 clients, and is located in Hollywood, CA. The talent agency is run by agents Brant Rose and Toochis Morin.

Although the agency has signed with actors like Miguel Sandoval (Medium) and Genevieve Adams (The Skeleton Twins), the agency seems to lean more towards representation of non-actor creative talent. BRA represents creatives 18-64 years old working in professions such as directing and producing.

Brant Rose Agency is affiliated with DGA and WGA. The agency does not accept unsolicited submissions. BRA does have a small website with very little information about themselves, but absolutely no social media presence.

133. M.O. Artist Agency

• Address:  6320 Canoga Ave 15th Floor Woodland Hills, CA 91367
• Phone:  +1 818 227 5158
• Email:  info@moartistagency.com
• Website:  https://www.moartistagency.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/moartistagency
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moartistagency/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 104
• Represents Ages: 0+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by email. Professional images not required for submission.
• Submit to Agent(s): Mala Lemnah, Cindy Huffman

M.O. Artist Agency is located in Woodland Hills, and they also have another office in San Francisco, CA, and has, at the moment, 104 clients in the entertainment industry. The agency has a strong social media presence, created through its Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.

The agency has several different divisions listed on its website, including adults and babies. They represent actors and other talent working in print, commercials, theater, film, and television.

In terms of submission, the agency has very specific requirements that the actor must read up on before submitting (check their website). M.O. Artists Agency does not want non-Californian residents applying; they want emails to be marked as important, no multiple submissions, or unsolicited calls. The San Francisco offices accept non-experienced talent whilst the LA division wants experienced talent only.

134. Privilege Talent Agency

• Address: 17514 Ventura Blvd # 105, Encino, CA 91316
• Phone: +1 818 386 2377
• Email: N/A
• Website:  N/A
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn:  N/A
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 106
• Represents Ages:  N/A
• Submission Policy: Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only.
• Submit to Agent(s): Carol Oleesky, Melanie Raymundo

Privilege Talent Agency is representing a current total of 106 clients and has offices in Encino, CA. The agency has signed with names like Aloma Wright (Days of Our Lives), Mariah Bonner (The Social Network), and Rasika Mathur (Cloverfield). The agency is run by agents Carol Oleesky and Melanie Raymundo.

Apart from listing a physical mailing address, the agency discloses next to nothing about itself on the Internet, including its submission policy. From its client list, it can be assumed that the agency represents actors working in film and television.

135. L&L Talent

• Address: 4010 Palos Verdes Dr North # 200-D Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274
• Phone: +1 310-896-8832
• Email: info@lltalent.com
• Website: https://www.lltalent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodylltalent
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 3
• Represented Clients: 60
• Represents Ages: 0+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by email only. No phone calls, no drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Melody Lomboy, Lara Holmes, Mandy Jezin

L&L Talent is located in Rolling Hills Estates, CA, and has at the moment 60 creatives as clients. The agency describes itself to be select in its clientele, and has the ambition to establish a familiar relationship with clients.

All three agents at L&L Talent appear to have considerable experience, as they have all worked in either acting or advertising, giving the advantage of knowing what it’s like to be on both sides of the screen. The agency represents actors in film, television, commercials, comedy, hosting, voice over and stunts.

To submit, actors should email the agency, including their headshot, resume, plus any acting profile or demo reel links. The first two materials can also be mailed physically. The agency does not want calls or drop offs.

136. Grant, Savic, Kopaloff & Associates

• Address: 6399 Wilshire Blvd # 415 Los Angeles, CA 90048
• Phone: +1 323 782 1854
• Email: contact@gsktalent.com / theatricalsubmissions@gsktalent.com
• Website: https://www.gsktalent.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn:  N/A
• Agents: 3
• Represented Clients: 120
• Represents Ages:  N/A
• Submission Policy: Send materials by email.  Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only.
• Submit to Agent(s):  N/A

GCSK has signed with an estimated 120 clients, and holds offices near La Brea. The acting firm is considered very international and represents talent within other regions of the US too, as well as in Europe, Canada, Australia, Mexico, and Asia.

The agency has been around for an estimated 20 years, and as such, has dived into the entertainment industry head on, taking on a diverse clientele. These include everything from production designers to sound mixers, and of course – actors.

When submitting to the theatrical department, GCSK wants prospective clients to send submissions to their email. The agency has a website where it lists info on how they can be contacted for matters other than submissions.

137. Envy Model and Talent

• Address:  489 S. Robertson Blvd. # 104A Beverly Hills, CA 90211
• Phone:  +1 310 694 8567
• Email:  daniel@theenvyagency.com / info@envymodelmanagement.com
• Website:  https://www.envymodelmanagement.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Envy-Model-Management-440324366047278/
• LinkedIn:  N/A
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 120
• Represents Ages:  13+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by email. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s):  Daniel Mahan, Kelly Russo

Envy Model and Talent is led by owner and experienced LA talent agent Daniel Mahan. The agency currently has 120 clients, including Gerard Sanders (Iron Man).

Holding offices in Beverly Hills, Las Vegas, and New York City, the agency has a website for more details. The agency represents actors working in film, commercials, and television, and also sign with other creatives, such as dancers and comedians.

When submitting to the agency, actors should be aware that each division has their own set of requirements, although submission guidelines are fairly standardized. For example, in both commercial and theatrical, the firm accepts actors all ages, union and non-union, and of all sizes. When submitting, submissions should include details such as resume, reel, measurements, and headshots and other photos. All submissions should be emailed to their respective city.  For more email addresses, visit their site.

138. Tilmar Talent Agency

• Address:  6404 Wilshire Blvd # 735 Los Angeles, CA 90048
• Phone:  +1 310 623 9231
• Email:  submit@tilmartalent.com
• Website:  https://www.tilmartalent.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tilmar-Talent-Agency-788125724568332/
• LinkedIn:  N/A
• Agents: 1
• Represented Clients: 86
• Represents Ages: 18-64
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail or email. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Elton Bolden

Tilmar Talent Agency holds offices near La Brea next to a bunch of other LA talent agencies, and has a reasonably large client list consisting of approximately 86 names.

The agency has a simpler website where TTA lists an email for actors to submit materials to. The agency also has a Facebook page, although this does not appear to be frequently updated.

The agency represents actors aged between 18-64 years in film, television, and commercials. The agency does not take calls or drop offs, and state that interviews take place by appointment only.

139. JLA Talent

• Address: 9151 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069, United States
• Phone: +1 310-276-5677
• Email: info@jlatalent.com
• Website: https://www.jlatalent.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jlatalent/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: N/A
• Represented Clients: 228
• Represents Ages: 2+
• Submission Policy: N/A
• Submit to Agent(s): Kendall Park, Felix Tipper, Nic De Armendi, Jack Lippman, Sumer Stamper

JLA Talent currently represents 228 talent clients and is located in West Hollywood. On its Facebook page, the agency has received high ratings and have been described positively.

On its website, the agency states that it represents talent working in commercial, theatrical, and print divisions. The agency represents actors aged from 2 years old and above working in film and television.

JLA Talent does not list any form of submission policy, but has a general email which may potentially be used for new talent submissions. The agency is affiliated with SAG-AFTRA.

140. Grace Talent Organization

• Address:  8370 Wilshire Blvd # 340 Beverly Hills, CA 90211
• Phone:  +1 323 424 4494
• Email:  Talent@GraceTalent.org /  info@gracetalent.org
• Website: https://www.gracetalent.org/
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Grace-Talent-Agency-359727707442513/
• LinkedIn:  N/A
• Agents: 3
• Represented Clients: 19
• Represents Ages:  0+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by email only. Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only.
• Submit to Agent(s): Michael Cooper, Mike Wise

Grace Talent Organization has a smaller client list consisting of 19 represented creatives and has offices in Beverly Hills. The agency is led by a staff of 3.

GTO represents artistic talents like directors, as well as actors in theater, film, commercials, and television of all ages. The agency is affiliated with DGA, WGA, and SAG-AFTRA.

In terms of submission, the agency wants materials to only be submitted via email. They have an email address, and a Facebook page, but it doesn’t appear that their website is working.

141. Happen Agency

• Address: 9795 Cabrini Dr # 206 Burbank, CA 91504
• Phone:  +1 818 588 6437
• Email: Randi@thehappenagency.com
• Website:  https://www.thehappenagency.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheHappenAgency
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHappenAgency/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 66
• Represents Ages:  N/A
• Submission Policy: Use website for submissions.
• Submit to Agent(s):  N/A

Happen Agency describes itself as a full-service acting agency which has 2 divisions which together represent commercial and theatrical actors. The agency currently represents 66 clients, and has offices in Burbank.

The agency has a website where it lists a contact form which actors can use to submit.

When reviewed on their Facebook page, Happen Agency has received high ratings as well as positive comments from their clients. They have been described to be personal, hardworking, and experienced.

142. Hollywood Original Talent

• Address: 6115 Selma Ave. # 207 Hollywood, CA 90028
• Phone: +1 323 460 2951
• Email: hollywoodoriginaltalent@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.hollywoodoriginaltalent.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/hotagencyla
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hollywood-Original-Talent-397418033727219/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollywood-original-talent-9a3063126
• Agents: 1
• Represented Clients: 135
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Send materials by email.
• Submit to Agent(s): Lisa Butler

Hollywood Origin Talent describes itself to be a select yet still full service talent agency. The firm currently has 135 represented clients and is located in Hollywood.

Run by talent agent Lisa Butler, the agency has represented actors from productions like Fury, Frenemies, and Old School. The agency has listed on their website that they are currently looking for actors working with theatrical and commercial or solely commercial projects. In terms of adult actors, they are looking for creatives aged 18-100 years old.

In terms of submission, the agency wants all materials sent to their email with the headline “New Talent” or their physical mailing address. Materials submitted by email should include headshots, links, resume, and a cover letter. The agency sometimes requests actors to do a cold reading or monologue. Concerning other requirements, like how the cold readings should be carried out, actors should check out HOT’s website.

143. Jenny Stricklin Talent Agency

• Address: 178 S Victory Blvd Burbank, CA 91502
• Phone: +1 747 477 1400
• Email: submissions@jstalentagency.com
• Website: https://www.jstalentagency.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JSTalentAgency
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jenny-Stricklin-Talent-Agency-1532508333680543/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-stricklin-talent-agency-53b70917
• Agents: 4
• Represented Clients: 110
• Represents Ages: 4-80
• Submission Policy: Use website for submissions. LA actors can attend open calls on Thursdays from 3-6 p.m.
• Submit to Agent(s): Jenny Stricklin

JSTA is located in Hollywood, CA, and represents approximately 110 entertainment clients. This includes Michael Perl (Sweet Valley High), Jonathan Strait (Mad Men), and Bo Youngblood (Conan). The agency has a strong social media presence, established through profiles on Twitter and Facebook.

The agency represents a diverse group of talents, including sports personalities and comedians. In terms of actors, the firm represents actors aged between 4-80 years old working in film, television, commercials, and voice over.

The agency has a website where they also outline their submission policy. JSTA accepts only submissions via a contact form on their site or mail, and does not want calls, drop offs, or emails.

144. Resolution Talent & Literary Agency

• Address: 1801 Century Park East 23rd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067
• Phone: +1 424 274 4200
• Email: jberg@resolution-ent.com
• Website: https://www.resolution-ent.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: N/A
• Represented Clients: N/A
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): N/A

Resolution Talent & Literary Agency holds offices in two US cities – Los Angeles (Century City) and New York City, as well as in Beijing, China. The talent firm has a simpler website where it lists its 3 physical addresses.

The agency does not disclose much information about themselves, and does not appear to be mentioned on the Internet, and have been very passive in the past year.

145. Universal Talent Agency

• Address: 4221 Wilshire Blvd # 290-17 Los Angeles, CA 90010
• Phone: +1 310 226 6105
• Email: universaltalentagency@hotmail.com
• Website: https://www.universaltalentla.com/
• Twitter: N/A
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 1
• Represented Clients: 24
• Represents Ages: N/A
• Submission Policy: Send materials by email, or use a form on the website.
• Submit to Agent(s): Dairy Reeves

Universal Talent Agency represents a smaller actors clientele consisting of 24 clients, and is located in Mid-Wilshire. Run by a single agent Dairy Reeves, the agency has represented talent in acknowledged productions such as The Dark Knight Rises and Kill Bill: Vol 1. UTA is affiliated with SAG-AFTRA.

On the website, UTA states that it represents clients in a range of artistic disciplines, which for actors include commercials, film, television, and stunts.

To contact the agency, actors can either email them or use a contact form on the agency’s website. The agency has not listed a submission policy.

146. Howard Talent West

• Address: 17000 Ventura Blvd # 210, Encino, CA 91316, United States
• Phone: +1 818-766-5300
• Email: htwassist@pacbell.net
• Website: https://www.howardtalentwestagency.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/htwagency
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HowardTalentWestAgency/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/howard-talent-west
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 121
• Represents Ages: 0+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail or email. Accepts postcards. No calls. No drop-offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Bonnie Howard, Lynn Eriks

Howard Talent West has a moderately large acting client list consisting of 121 represented names, including Maria Olsen (Another), Tony Becker (Tour of Duty), and Gina St. John (Bruce Almighty). The agency is run by a staff of two, and owned by talent agent Bonnie Howard.

Established in the late 80s and located in Encino, CA, the agency represents theatrical and commercial talent. For actors, this includes actors of all ages working in theater, television, film, and commercials. On its website, HTW lists its email as well as its physical address.

When submitting to the agency, actors can choose to email or mail them materials. The agency also wants postcards, but does not take calls or drop offs. Howard Talent West is affiliated with several associations, including SAG-AFTRA.

147. Brady, Brannon & Rich Talent (BBR)

• Address: 5670 Wilshire Blvd # 820, Los Angeles, CA 90036, United States
• Phone: +1 323-938-1989
• Email: lbowman@bbrtalent.com
• Website: https://www.bbrtalentagency.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/bbrtalentagency
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BradyBrannonRich/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brady-brannon-&-rich
• Agents: N/A
• Represented Clients: N/A
• Represents Ages: 1-80
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail or email. Accepts postcards and invitations. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Judy Rich, Pat Brannon, Stuart Robinson, Gary Bornstein, Jodie Bowman, Alisa Taylor, Laura Bowman, Mark Masten, Sylvia Brasuell, Jesse Perez, Grace Ameter, Jill Johnson, Daniel Mullenix, Jen Hyde, Ariel Katz, Ben Goodwin, and Brandon Aristotle Lucas.

BBR holds offices in Miracle Mikle, and has represented talent from known for productions like Teen Wolf, The Hangover Part III, and The Big Bang Theory. The firm currently represents an impressive 786 clients, and is led by Stuart K. Robinson.

The agency represents talent in a range of artistic professions, including actors between 1-80 years old working in voice over, musical theater, theater, film, television, and commercials. The agency has a website where actors can follow the firm’s latest representations. BBR Talent also has several different social media pages, including Facebook, where they have been described to be supportive, loyal, and professional.

To submit to the agency, actors can either email or mail the agency with their headshots and resumes. The agency has different email addresses for different divisions, and these can be found on BBR’s website. The agency does not want calls or drop offs, but accepts invites, postcards, and has interviews (given that they are appointed).

148. HTG Artists

• Address: 4150 W Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91505, United States
• Phone: +1 818-387-8812
• Email: info@htgartists.com
• Website: https://htgartists.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/htgartists
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/htgartists
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 1
• Represented Clients: 87
• Represents Ages: 0+
• Submission Policy: Use website for submissions.
• Submit to Agent(s): Amy Howard

HTG Artists is located in Burbank, CA, and is run singlehandedly by talent agent Amy Howard. On this acting agency’s website the agent is described to have 2 decades of experience working in the talent industry, including having previously worked as a manager. The agency currently represents 87 clients, including Lindsay Lamb (Emma’s Chance) and Nick Armstrong (The Office).

HTG Artists represents actors of all ages working in commercials, television, and film. The agency has a Facebook and Twitter profile, receiving high ratings by their clients.

To submit, actors should use the contact form on the firm’s website. Alternatively, they can email them with questions about the submission policy, as the agency does not openly disclose their preferences for submitted materials.

149. American Media Artists (AMA)

• Address: 4741 Laurel Canyon Blvd., # 210 Valley Village, CA 91607
• Phone: +1 818 986 2946
• Email: N/A
• Website: N/A
• Twitter: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/American-Media-Artists-156693634374207/
• LinkedIn: N/A
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 20
• Represents Ages: 18+
• Submission Policy: Send materials by mail only. Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs. Accepts postcards and invitations.
• Submit to Agent(s): Casey Logan,  Maxine Logan

AMA is located in Valley Village, and has a small total actor client list amounting to about 20 creatives, including Larry B. Scott (The Karate Kid). The agency is affiliated with several associations, including SAG-AFTRA.

The agency does appear to have a website, but they also have a Facebook page, where they describe themselves as a “full service talent and literary agency”.

American Media Artists represents several types of creative talent, including actors who work in film, television, commercials, theater, musical theater, and voice over. Represented ages are those aged 18 years old and above. The agency wants submission to be sent by mail, and does not want calls or drop offs. They accept invites and postcards, and interviews occur only at appointment.

150. The Carry Company

• Address: 3875 Wilshire Blvd 4th Fl. # 402 Los Angeles, CA 90010
• Phone: +1 213 388 0770
• Email: sharon@carrycompany.com
• Website: https://www.carrycompany.com/
• Twitter:
• LinkedIn:
• Agents: 2
• Represented Clients: 37
• Represents Ages: 2+
• Submission Policy: Industry referral preferred. Interviews by appointment only. No calls. No drop offs.
• Submit to Agent(s): Sharron Carry, Amanda Keith

Holding offices in Koreatown, The Carry Company also covers the New York City region. The acting agency currently has 39 clients and is run by Sharon Carry.

The agency has a website where it states that it represents a wide range of talent, including actors aged 2+ working in film, television, theater, commercials, stunts, and musical theater.

In terms of submissions, the agency does not take calls or drop offs. The Carry Company is affiliated with 3 associations, including Equity.

The post Top 150 Talent Agencies in Los Angeles for Actors Without Agents appeared first on Acting Plan.

In this article, I’m providing you with all the tools you need to accomplish that. But first, let’s stop for a second and take a breath.

Whether you’re a recent transplant to Los Angeles who just started acting, or you’ve been at this for a while, I suggest you to thoroughly review the all-important “preparation phase.”

Every actor who wants to know how to get an acting agent forgets to consider one simple aspect. Why would an agent want to sign you?

The only reason you’ll get signed is if you can make the agent money, eventually. Period.

So what do agents want to see in actors who they would potentially sign? Three things:

• Professionalism
• Preparedness
• Eagerness to work

It doesn’t matter if you have little experience, or do not fit the “20 year old hottie” look. There’s a project for any type of actor out there. As long as you’re ready to work, your agent will be able to send you out to auditions, and hopefully make money off of you.

How do you convince an agent that you are that type of hardworking actor? 

This is exactly what I’m going to cover in this very in-depth guide on how to get an acting agent. I’ve provided you with all the information, every detail and tool-tips you need to know in order to successfully accomplish this task in a short but realistic amount of time.

Let’s start at the beginning to understand what agents do and how the industry works.

Need a list of agents? 150 Top Talent Agencies in Los Angeles (2017)

Who are Talent Agents?

To learn how to get an acting agent, you need to first understand how they work.

In Los Angeles, you do not refer to them as “acting agents.” It’s simply “an agent.”

As it has been said many times before, acting is a business. Hollywood’s structure is no different. It has three components: buyer, seller, and product/service (that’s you).

Talent agents are the salesmen in Hollywood. This doesn’t sound as lucrative as “agent,” but this applies to their job description to a letter. I’ll show you.

To better explain Hollywood’s movie business hierarchy, I made this graphic for you:

As a newbie actor, you’re at the very bottom of the pyramid. You’re just getting started.

In the graphic you see that talent agents are often the middleman between casting directors (who work for film and TV productions) and the talent (you, the actor).

When a film goes into production, they need to cast actors. For that, they hire a casting director (CD). CDs then work with talent agents who pitch them actors off their roster.

Basically, your acting services are being sold to the production by your agent.

This is an agent’s job described in its most fundamental sense. In reality, it’s much more difficult. To be a good talent agent you need a set of special skills, charisma and patience. All of this is required to deal with casting directors and actors, and come to agreements.

What a talent agent is NOT:

• Agents are not managers, they won’t manage your whole career;
• Agents are not publicists, they won’t do any PR work for you;
• Agents are not lawyers, they will not give you any legal advice;
• Agents are not your parents, so keep your personal issues at home.

What agents are responsible for are (a) finding you work and (b) negotiating contracts.

Bottom Line: Talent agents are the sales force in Hollywood. They work as middlemen between actors and casting directors.

How to know if an agent is “good”?

The better and more connected your agent is, the bigger chances you have to be pitched for large film and TV productions in Hollywood.

An agent is usually defined by his client list, both in terms of volume (#2) and quality (#1).

Most powerful acting agents who make huge deals happen have made their way to work at top talent agencies in Los Angeles, and often have celebrities as their clients.

Does that mean one of those top talent agency guys would be the best fit for you? It certainly can be, but not necessarily. There’s more than one thing to consider.

A “good agent” is a relative term; it depends where in your career you currently stand.

For example, a talent agent from a boutique agency (small talent agency) may not have James Cameron on speed dial, but he may work ten times harder to get you out for auditions because it’s in his best interest to make a name for himself through you.

At the same time, an agent from a top talent agency that already has A-list celebrities to take care of will not have as much time to dedicate to your career.

Generally, it’s best to pick a promising agent that fits your current acting career status.

Bottom Line: The best agent for you isn’t necessarily the one from the top talent agency, but rather the one that will work the hardest for your career.

How much do agents get paid? 

All of your paychecks go through your agent. He receives a check from the production, takes his cut out of that, and then sends the rest to you. That’s common practice.

There is a standard fee that all acting agents receive off of your paycheck: 10 percent.

However, this can only be enforced onto SAG-AFTRA franchised agencies (more on this below). If they’re not franchised, technically, they can set any percentage they want.

That said, agent’s 10 percent cut is the unwritten rule in the US showbiz market. Therefore, if you ever encounter a non-franchised agent (not a manager!) who charges you more than 10%, it’s your cue to stop doing business with that agent or agency.

Note: No legitimate acting agent should ever charge you upfront fees, or ask for any other payments. An agent’s only source of income is the 10% commission. Period.

Furthermore, an agent cannot ask you to attend any workshops, seminars or require you to go to specific photographers or acting teachers. If they do, that’s an indication that an agent receives a cut from the referral – a red flag for you (more on agent scams below).

Now, if you’re uncomfortable with your agent receiving the check, you can change that.

Here’s what you need to know about this:

“By the way, I probably shouldn’t tell you this but you have the legal right to bump your agent’s check authorization. All you have to do is tell the production company you want the money to go directly to you. And the time to do this is when you’re filming, not after you wrap. This is a great way to get paid faster. It’s also a great way to piss off your agent.” – Secret Agent Man, Backstage.com

Just remember that trying to change typical things in Hollywood is a good way to end professional relationships and get yourself a bad reputation in town.

Why do agents get 10% of your money? Because they do a lot of work for you.

Besides the fact that an agent gets you the audition, you also don’t want to deal with all that bureaucracy or chase after payments. 10% cut is totally worth it.

Keep in mind that your agent will also receive 10% even from jobs you get yourself.

Bottom Line: Acting agents get paid 10% off your paycheck. That’s their only source of income and they do not charge for anything else.

How to know if an agent is “legit”?

There are a lot of cheaters in Hollywood. Most of those target actors and particularly newbies who don’t know any better. Fake talent agents is just one of those common scams you find all over LA.

Fortunately, as long as you’re willing to do some research and learning, you can spot most frauds.

One of the best indications that an agency is legitimate is if they are SAG-AFTRA franchised.

This means that the talent agency works under and abides by the rules of SAG-AFTRA union which protects the interests of all member actors.

To get franchised by SAG-AFTRA, a talent agency will have to prove the union that they are a legitimate business.

Franchised talent agencies can represent both union and nonunion actors.

To check if your talent agency is SAG-AFTRA franchised, search for it here.

Not all legitimate talent agencies in Los Angeles will be SAG-AFTRA franchised.

If an agency is not franchised, then you’ll need to do your own due diligence to see if they’re legit or not. Ask around, use Google and your common sense.

FTC’s Consumer Information has some advice here for spotting talent agency scams.

Bottom Line: Legitimate agents do not charge more than 10% and do not force actors into workshops, classes or to use any specific services.

Do you even need an agent?

Absolutely. Once you get signed by a good talent agency with solid connections, you move onto the bigger leagues of this business. More doors will open up for you.

However, that doesn’t mean that you can sit back and avoid looking for work.

Getting an acting agent is like receiving a special power in a video game. You still have to play the game, but now you have more tools at your disposal that helps you beat it.

Your agent will get you inside the Hollywood’s business. Your status as an actor goes up.

Not only will your agent get you more work, but they can become your guide and guardian within LA’s show business, but only in certain areas.

Bottom Line: If you want to work on big productions in Los Angeles, you do need an agent who will open many more doors for you in Hollywood’s industry.

11 Ways to Prepare for Getting an Agent

Let’s get this one straight: actors who want to work in film and television must be in Los Angeles. There’s no two ways about it. All film/TV work and best agents are here.

“But I’ve heard that work is moving to Atlanta, New Orleans and Austin…“

Some productions have moved to other cities. However, most still cast out of Los Angeles because the talent pool is here. No other city comes even close to LA’s market size.

The number of film productions also continue to rise and rise again in Los Angeles.

Now that we have this settled, I will assume that you have already made your move to Los Angeles. If you haven’t done that yet, I suggest you to read my free LA Relocation Guide for Actors (sidebar) and make that move as soon as you can.

In the beginning of this article, I said that you shouldn’t rush into trying to figure out how to get an acting agent sign you ASAP. As a new actor in LA, you must prepare first.

Why should you prepare? Because you’re unlikely to get signed right off the bat anyway, and because first impressions matter, especially in Hollywood.

How long before you can get an acting agent?

If you’re completely new to the industry, I would say to plan for 6 to 12 months of prep work before you can start looking for representation. I’ll explain why.

Can you get any agent right now? Yes, you can. But it’s either going to be a scam, or it’ll be some schmuck “agent” that’ll submit you for jobs on regular casting websites – something you can do yourself – and get 10% off your paycheck for no reason.

If you’re going to get signed, then do it right. Make sure it’s a good agent and a step up in your career.

“If I had three hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend the first hour sharpening the axe.” – Abraham Lincoln

Here’s my “how to get an agent” preparation plan for you. Take it as you will.

0. Have a plan of action

First, you’ll need to get yourself a good plan of action for the next 6 to 12 months.

Everything you do during this period should have one target goal: improving your chances of getting signed by a talent agent.

Your action plan, or a to-do list, will consist of the things I list below (in that order).

The reason you want to actually prepare this is so you can stick to your plan and see where you’re going. Prioritize things and don’t jump ahead in most cases.

If you’re new to Los Angeles, then your action plan should look something like this:

1. Find a survival job
2. Join an acting class
3. Prepare your acting kit
4. Submit yourself for small acting jobs
5. Learn about the industry
6. Start making connections
7. Get to know the city
8. Sign with a commercial agent
9. Do an internship at a talent agency
10. Be a reader for a casting office
11. If possible: Join SAG-AFTRA

When you put these eleven things on your list, it should take about 6 to 12 months to go through it all. By the time you’re done, you’re good and ready to get an acting agent.

Now I will briefly walk you through all eleven steps and explain everything.

1. Find a survival job

This part is absolutely crucial for a newbie in Hollywood. You cannot focus on your acting career if you constantly worry about paying rent or feeding yourself.

Becoming a working actor takes a long time, and you should plan your career long-term.

Do not assume that finding a bartender’s gig or getting a job as a waitress is going to be easy. All the good stuff has already been picked up by thousands of other LA actors.

To calculate your expenses, take a look at my breakdown on the cost of living in LA.

I suggest you to move to Los Angeles with enough money to survive at least 3-6 months with no income. You should be able to find a decent survival job by that time.

2. Join an acting class

Many actors move to Hollywood with little to no acting training. Trust me, agents hate that.

No matter how much raw talent you think you have, you need to stay in class. If not for improving your acting skills (which I assure you is necessary, no matter how good you think you are), then to show agents that you aren’t lazy and always working on the craft.

Unless you’re completely broke and cannot afford it, there should never be a time that you’re not signed up for an acting class. When done with one, move onto the next.

You will also meet other like-minded people and start making connections there.

It’s a good idea to regularly change acting teachers and get out of your comfort zone, too.

3. Prepare your acting kit

In order to attract attention to yourself as an actor, you must have your “acting kit.”

By this I mean the standard marketing tools of the trade an actor needs to get a job.

The three essential tools are:

• Your acting resume
• Your acting headshot
• Your demo reel

Click on the links for the resume and headshots where I provide you with plenty of details on how to get them done, even if you have no experience and little money.

As for the demo reel, it’s a very useful marketing tool to have. But if you’re new to the industry, then it’s unlikely you have any footage to create your acting demo reel.

Don’t worry about this now. Leave the demo reel for later, and hopefully by the time these 6-12 months run out, you’ll have plenty of material for it.

4. Submit yourself for small acting jobs

Once you have your acting kit ready (resume and headshot), you should sign up for at least one of the paid casting websites. Here are LA’s best ones.

My advice is to go with Actors Access, and get their yearly membership to save money.

Create an actor’s profile with your resume, headshots and other personal details including measurements. Then, start submitting for any acting jobs that fit you.

Do not pick and choose. At this point, as long as you’re available for the shooting days, you need to apply for that. Your goal is to work as much as possible.

Try to get your hands on all those students films, web series, indies, music videos and other small projects which are easier to book for inexperienced actors.

Most of these are unpaid, but that shouldn’t concern you right now. All you need is three things: more credits, more experience and footage for your demo reel.

5. Learn about the industry

In order to play the Hollywood game effectively, you need to first learn it, in and out.

Start reading books about the acting business. There are tons of them on Amazon.

Do not forget to read online trade websites as well. Before, we used to have to subscribe to paid magazines. Fortunately, today it’s all free and easy to access.

Three best showbiz websites all actors should be reading daily are:

• Deadline Hollywood
• The Hollywood Reporter
• Variety

A few others you can peruse if you have time:

• The Wrap
• Entertainment Weekly
• Daily Actor
• /Film
• Backstage

YouTube channels that are useful for actors:

• SAG Foundation
• SAG-AFTRA
• The Hollywood Reporter
• Film Courage

Staying up to date with these insider sources means you know what’s going on behind the scenes in Hollywood. You can also get a lot of motivation from this.

Just please don’t spend most of your time on Perez Hilton as part of your “research.”

6. Start making connections

I have previously explained how absolutely vital networking is in Hollywood.

Making connections in Los Angeles is like investing: the earlier you start, the more benefits you reap. So try to keep track of those names the minute you move to LA.

By now, you should have already joined an acting class – get to know people there.

You’re also applying for all types of acting gigs – get to know everybody involved.

On top of that, look for any other opportunities where you can meet people. There are networking events in Los Angeles for actors where you can go and schmooze.

Here’s a list of several best known networking gatherings in LA:

• SAG-AFTRA Foundation Events
• Women in Film
• JHRTS
• The Actors’ Network
• Screenplay Lab
• Film Independent

Film festivals and screenings in LA are also a great place for networking:

• LA Downtown Film Festival
• LA Film Festival
• Directors Guild of America
• AFI Fest
• Sunset Film Festival
• LA Short Fest
• Find more LA film festivals here, here and here.

Finally, there are even Meetup.com groups for that:

• Screenwriters and Actors of Hollywood Meetup
• Music and Film/TV Meetup
• Los Angeles Film & TV Meetup
• Let’s Make It Happen Hollywood Meetup
• Hollywood Entertainment Industry Meetup
• The Hollywood Film Industry

Personally, I always make notes. I suggest you get a notebook, or use your phone.

You should try to keep names and phone numbers of all filmmakers, screenwriters, directors, actors, producers and anybody else you meet who’s connected to the industry.

Try to ensure they remember you, and have your phone number/email, if possible.

7. Get to know the city

You’re going to need a car in LA, and you must learn your way around this city.

LA is very spread out. You may be having audition in Santa Monica at 10am, and another audition in Burbank at 12pm. That’s a tough job to pull off in the infamous LA traffic.

Learning the best routes and what’s located where can save you a lot of valuable time.

There’s no doubt you’re going to need a GPS. Whether you’re using Google Maps on your phone, a standalone GPS like Garmin, or you have a new car with integrated GPS – you’ll be taking advantage of that on a daily basis.

Besides learning the city, remember to have some fun. Los Angeles has a lot to offer, so whenever you have free time, get out there and experience the great City of Angels.

8. Sign with a commercial agent

Commercial talent agents are different from theatrical agents. They will only get you out for commercial auditions, but signing with one is usually much easier.

You may think you don’t want to do commercials, but trust me, it beats waiting on tables.

Plus, if you get lucky with booking a national commercial, you can make very serious money that will pay your rent for many years to come. Get this done ASAP.

The way to sign with a commercial agent is to do regular submissions (see below). You don’t have to “prepare” for a commercial agent since it’s not as important.

All you need to have before approaching them is your “acting kit” ready.

What will boost your chances of getting signed by a commercial agent is having one of the famous improv groups and/or a commercial class listed on your resume.

Here are the three most well-known improv classes that carry some value:

• UCB
• Groundlings
• Second City

And if you want to do a commercial class, Killian McHugh is your guy.

9. Do an internship at a talent agency

Interning for an acting agent a few hours a week will provide you with valuable insight.

This one isn’t as essential as the eight other things I mentioned above. In fact, very few actors have done internships at talent agencies. I’ve done it, and it’s a mixed bag.

First, you get to see exactly how talent agencies operate. I observed how agents assess and represent clients, and what makes actors standout or get their stuff thrown away.

It’s the type of intel you can use to your advantage and that you can’t get anywhere else.

Second, there’s a potential to make connections. Whether you’ll get to be friends with an actual talent agent depends on that person; that’s not always easy to do. However, you can make friends with the agent’s assistant, which can sometimes be even more valuable.

Never pitch yourself to the agent when you’re interning. You’ll be out of there in no time. Stay grounded, and use those connections you make after you’re done with the internship.

10. Be a reader at a casting office

Casting directors rarely read dialogue with actors during auditions. Usually, they hire a reader to read lines with you while they sit back and watch you act.

These gigs are much easier to get than talent agency internships, and can also be a great opportunity to both learn the process of casting and to make some connections.

Knowing an established CD in Hollywood can be huge – I repeat, huge – for your career.

Not only can you get more auditions and book more jobs through this relationship, but you will also increase chances of getting an acting agent sign you because you know a CD.

11. If possible: Join SAG-AFTRA

Joining SAG-AFTRA union solidifies your status as an actor. It doesn’t guarantee you anything, including work, but it’s a status that talent agents and CDs pay attention to.

In order to become a SAG-AFTRA member, there are a few hoops you’ll need to jump through. It’s not as easy as simply applying and getting your membership card.

On top of that, initiation fees are high and once you’re a member, you cannot work on nonunion projects. Therefore, it’s a decision not to take lightly, even if you’re eligible.

In terms of how to become a SAG-AFTRA eligible actor, I will write a separate article on this in the future, since there are a lot of details that need to be covered. But if you’re taking all the above steps, you’ll figure it out yourself as you go along.

Bottom Line: Thorough planning and preparation before approaching agents is key to getting signed. This shows your level of professionalism and eagerness to work.

Key takeaway on the preparation process

I didn’t list these preparation steps for you to pick and choose one or two. All of them are important to your acting career, and this is what’s going to ensure you get signed.

Many actors get lucky with tons of opportunities to be represented by powerful agents in Los Angeles, but they waste them because they aren’t prepared. Take you acting career seriously, and get ready for when the opportunity knocks on the door.

If you go by that action plan I outlined, it should take you from six to twelve months.

By accomplishing these steps, you’re approaching your acting career as a professional.

Talent agents love professionals.

Even though it may take you a while, by then you’ll become more confident, because:

• You know Los Angeles like your five fingers;
• You know how the industry works;
• You have made friends and solid connections;
• You have decent acting training under your belt;
• You have your full acting kit polished and ready to go;
• You’ve got actual acting credits on your resume;
• You already have a commercial agent;
• You’re now a SAG-AFTRA (eligible) actor;
• And you’re on a roll, baby.

If there ever was a perfect time to seriously think about how to get an acting agent to sign you, now is that time. You can use this momentum to your advantage. Agents love seeing actors who are proactive and continue to progress, and that’s you.

Now for the meaty part of this post: how to get an acting agent once you’ve prepared?

How to Get an Acting Agent

Let’s get a quick reality check out of the way first.

Getting a talent agent to sing you is not easy. No, agents do not dislike actors. There’s just not enough of them around to sign thousands of aspiring actors in Los Angeles.

With that being said, many budding actors make tons of mistakes when trying to get an acting agent, which of course doesn’t work out in their favor. If you know how to avoid those mistakes, and optimize the process, your chance of being signed can skyrocket.

There are two parts to a successful “attempt at a talent agency.”

First part we’ve already covered above – it’s the preparation. This will demonstrate to the agent that you’re a true professional, and that you’re serious about this career choice.

You’d be surprised how many skip most of those steps to their own career’s detriment.

Second part is doing everything right when actually approaching agents, hoping to get a meeting with them. This is what I’m going to cover in this section, so let’s get to it.

7 Ways to Get a Meeting With an Agent

Yes, there’s more than one way to approach an agent with the hopes to get a meeting.

Here are the seven most common ways actors do this in Hollywood:

1. Mailings using snail mail
2. Online submissions
3. Showcases
4. Performances
5. Agent’s assistants
6. Agent workshops
7. Professional referrals

Some of these are better, but more difficult to do. Others are quick and easy, but not as effective. Let’s go through each one so that you know how the whole process works.

1. Mailings through snail mail

This is an old-school way of submitting yourself to talent agents, and it’s on its way out. But even though this is extremely inefficient and time-consuming for both actors and agents, some talent agencies still insist on doing it this way.

Even though this isn’t the most popular way that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.

By “mailings” I’m referring to sending your acting kit package – resume, headshot and (a link to) a demo reel – to the agency using postal service. These submissions are sometimes called “blind submissions” or “blanket submissions.”

Why? Because the agency isn’t aware that you’re going to send them your marketing stuff. They don’t know who’s stuff is in the envelope, and they don’t necessarily want to sign you. But if you have what they’re looking for at the time, you may just get lucky.

The way this works is pretty simple:

1. Pick the agency you want to submit to;
2. Find their mailing address;
3. Get one of their agent’s name;
4. Write a short cover letter to that agent;
5. Put your acting kit and letter into an envelope;
6. Send it.

Then, just pray for a phone call. Unfortunately, the success rate of these submissions is in single digits according to many talent agents, but this does sometimes work.

NOTE: When doing your research, you have to make sure that the agency accepts snail mail submissions. By now, most talent agencies put a warning on their website next to the address if they do not want to receive any submissions by post.

2. Online submissions

This is the most popular way to submit your stuff to agencies. It’s also easier for everybody.

I assume that since you were able to find my article on how to get an acting agent, then you’re computer-savvy enough to figure out how to email an agency with your acting kit.

The process is exactly the same as it is for blind submissions through regular mail, only you do this online. Simply go to the agency’s website and find their email address.

Some agencies also have “Submission Guidelines,” so if they do, follow those to a letter.

TIP: Keep cover letters short. Almost nobody reads them because there’s no time for that. Stick to 2-3 sentences of the most important things, and do not mention anything that can be found on your resume (you’re just wasting space).

3. Showcases

A showcase is basically a short performance put together specifically for talent agents.

Doing a showcase to get an agent is common in Los Angeles. They’re often organized by a large group of actors where everybody gets their chance to perform.

This is a great way to attract an agent’s attention. It’s not as intrusive as blind submissions, because an agent has to show up to a showcase willingly to see your work.

Naturally, you’ll have a lot less agents’ eyes on you with showcases, but the conversion ratio will be much higher (although nothing is ever guaranteed).

For a showcase, you want to do one scene that’s short enough to not bore your agent, but long enough to demonstrate your acting skills.

Doing a monologue for a showcase is not recommended.

Dialogues work best in showcases, so take one of your acting classmates with you. Make sure they’re not better than you and do not take all the attention from your acting.

The reason agents attend these things is because they’re already on the lookout for new talent, which is a great sign. The downside is that the agent gets to see more than one actor during a showcase, so in a way, you are competing for attention.

On the bright side, every actor involved in the showcase will work hard to bring in agents to that event. That means even if the agent you brought in wasn’t interested in you, it’s possible you’ll get a call from a different one who saw you perform.

How to put together a showcase?

Organizing a showcase isn’t easy. Or rather, getting agents to show up is the difficult part.

The way to do this is to be really good at marketing. Use all your connections (this is why networking is important), promote it on social media channels, Tweet it out, and maybe even send personal invites to agencies addressing specific agents.

Key parts to a successful showcase:

• Organize it in a professional way;
• Market it heavily and consistently;
• Ensure it takes place between Monday and Thursday;
• It has to be anytime between 7pm and 9pm;
• Offer free food.

That’s about as much as you can do. But when you get together with a bunch of actors, this community effort can produce a lot better results than you working at this alone.

4. Performances

This is the reason why there’s so much (bad) theater in Los Angeles.

By performance, I mean doing a play. You can also do some other types of performances, such as one man shows, stand-up comedy or improv performances, but these rarely attract an agent’s attention and they’re very difficult to be good at. Stick to plays.

The way this works is similar to showcases: you get together with a group of actors, rehearse a play and then invite agents to come see it (see above on how to do this).

However, majority of these plays are terrible, quite frankly. I would know, I’ve been to maybe 50 of them. That’s the reason most agents avoid attending intimate theater.

A showcase can work better because it’s short and to the point. But when you’re doing a play, and a bad one at that, it’s potentially two hours of torture for agents.

Going this route is always an option, but one of the last resorts, in my opinion.

Ultimately, if you’re doing a play, do it because you want to. Not to get an agent.

5. Assistants

This is the reason I said to do internships at talent agencies, and make connections with agents’ assistants. They could be your in for getting signed, if you play it right.

Agents usually trust their assistants, and leave it up to the them to filter through all the BS. Therefore, if an agent’s assistant gives you a green light, you’re in the game.

There’s no specific way to do this. Simply continue to make connections, stay friends with everybody and keep track of who’s who. When the time comes, call in a small favor and ask for an assistant to pitch you to their boss.

Be ready to back it up with solid acting skills and professional looking headshots, resume and demo reel. You wouldn’t want to make the assistant look bad, would you?

6. Paid showcases/workshops

This is something similar to a showcase I’ve mentioned above. The difference is that you pay agents to attend these gigs. That means both good and bad, of course.

The good is that you’ll definitely have more agents show up. Hey, it’s (almost) free money!

And it’s not so good because: a) this comes out of your already tight budget, and b) sometimes, agents will come in just for the money, not really looking to sign anybody.

I have friends who had success with these types of paid showcases, and many others who swore they’ve done about ten with zero success. It depends on how lucky you get.

Naturally, paid agent showcases and casting director workshops (a similar thing) is a controversial subject. They got some heat recently, so these may go away any day now.

7. Professional referrals

This is by far the holy grail of these seven ways how to get an acting agent to sign you.

A professional referral means that someone who personally knows the agent you’re targetting are putting their reputation on the line in order to recommend you to that agent.

Because of this, good referrals are not very common, but they have the highest success rate. This means that if you get a professional referral, the agent will definitely see you, and if you have the skills to back it up, you’re likely to get signed.

Keep in mind though that by a professional referral I do not mean to simply drop someone’s name in a cover letter when sending submissions to an agent. It has to be an actual personal recommendation, usually done over the phone.

Very few people in Hollywood would do that for you, which is why it’s so tricky.

Where do you get those professional referrals?

Connections. Once again, networking is key to your success in Hollywood, and that’s why I keep emphasizing this part of the business. You must continuously work at building a network of industry folks who can recommend you to other professionals.

When it comes to referrals, you can get them from pretty much anywhere.

For example, a director you’ve worked with on an indie feature film really loved your work. You also kicked it off and stayed friends after the filming was done. This director happens to be signed with a power agent at one of the top talent agencies in LA.

If the director likes you and thinks you’re a great actor, why not ask for a recommendation? All he has to do is give a quick phone call to his agent and ask for the agent to see you. That’s it.

You will always get a meeting through a good referral. As for being signed by the agent, that comes down to whether you are what they’re looking for. Sometimes, they just don’t have a place for you (more on this in the future article).

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to structure your whole “how to get an acting agent” plan around this one goal: get a high value professional referral for a meeting with a talent agent.

Bottom Line: Referrals and connections are the best way to get an agent’s attention, but they are the hardest to come by. Showcases, plays and workshops is also a good way to go, while blind submissions are least likely to get you a meeting.

Take Home Message

There’s more than one way on how to get an acting agent in Hollywood to sign you.

This process isn’t complicated once you know how to work the system in your favor and stick to a plan.

An actor’s honest, thorough preparation and show of professionalism are key to impressing agents.

Due to high number of actors and a low number of talent agents, very few get signed. Only those who take this process seriously will have the best shot.

When you’re an actor new to Hollywood’s entertainment industry, aim for the time frame of 1 to 2 years to get signed by a legitimate talent agency. That’s 6 to 12 months for preparation, and another 6 to 12 months for the rest of the struggles.

Acting is a marathon, not a sprint; you should plan to be in this for the long haul.

Naturally, there are actors that get lucky and may be signed within the first 3 months after moving to Los Angeles. This, however, is just luck, and I would not depend on it.

The post How to Get an Agent: The Ultimate Guide for Actors With Effective Strategies appeared first on Acting Plan.

For aspiring actors the situation could be even tougher due to all the investments necessary to pursue this career choice.

If you’re in the position to move to Los Angeles, then as brave and bold as this call may be, it will also demand of you to keep a hawkeye over your finances, something that causes pre-mature balding from late-night hair yanking. I would know.

In this article, I’m using my personal experience and budgets from the years of living in this city as well as current research on the cost of living in Los Angeles – unexpected as well as expected. This post will save you time and money if you’re new to LA.

Who are these numbers aimed at? I’m a single person living by myself, so all calculations are based around that. If your situation is similar, then this is the most accurate article on how much it costs to live in LA you can find.

What is the Cost of Living in Los Angeles?

The short answer is that the cost of LA life is very high compared to many other cities in the world.

Due to constant need to save money, I’m always on the lookout for better deals on apartments or other ways to stash away a few dollars every week. I have to be aware of rent prices in LA and how to better budget for everything else in order to survive in LA, and now I’m relaying that information onto you.

If you Google “cost of living in Los Angeles,” you’ll find tons of help. But this is my word of warning to you: use more than one resource to get an accurate estimate.

To better understand how much it costs to live in Los Angeles, you want to look for specifics. Don’t go by the general numbers you find on most websites.

For the purpose of this guide, I will assume that just like me, you are a single person (possibly with a partner) and you don’t expect to live ten feet away from the beach in Malibu, because you are smart enough to understand that that’s expensive.

Ultimately, if your goal is to move to Los Angeles for acting, get an acting agent and sign with a top talent agency here, then you’re in good hands now. Keep reading.

Bottom Line: Cost of living in Los Angeles is much higher than in many other cities in the US and the world, according to data. The prices also continue to increase.

Why “Average Prices” Aren’t Helpful

Naturally, I started this article with a few days of research to see what the Internet has to say about the cost of living in Los Angeles. I was surprised to find a lot of misrepresented data.

How do I know? I have tens of Excel spreadsheets for my monthly budgets. And as a struggling actor, I keep a close watch on the cost of living in Los Angeles. It may be OCD.

Furthermore, it’s in my best interest to track costs and finances, so that’s what I do.

Let me quickly walk you through some examples from the interwebs. Below is what someone doing their research on the cost of living in Los Angeles would see.

An article from SmartAsset, an authority for this type of information, and one of the first pages of my Google search, says the following:

“…the average rent on a one-bedroom LA apartment is $1,949.”

“…need two bedrooms in LA? Expect to pay around $2,846.”

Sure, if you draw an average between living in Beverly Hills (a fancy place for the rich and famous) and Van Nuys (cheap area for the working class), this is probably accurate. But how does that help us? It doesn’t.

The best way to calculate rental cost of living in Los Angeles is definitely not by looking at the average price range. Your situation is likely different, which means you’ll have different aims. You need to base everything around your set budget and look for specifics.

Los Angeles is a huge, spread out and diversified city. That means you get significant rental price differences between all areas. To get a better idea of LA rent prices, what you should do is look at separate LA neighborhoods in your specific price range.

I’ll get to those neighborhoods in a moment. Let’s get back to that article.

Here’s what SmartAsset has to say about the cost of utilities in LA:

“…the basic monthly utility bill for a 915 square foot apartment in LA is $110.71.”

That’s not necessarily going to be true for your case.

For example, I live in a 2 bedroom apartment (1,200 square feet), and starting May, it’s becoming very hot in Los Angeles. Utilities in LA are usually the highest during hot months because the AC is running almost 24/7.

My water and electric bill (from LADWP), which is what you pay the most in terms of bills (besides internet), for 2 months (May-July) was $57. That’s barely $29/mo, which isn’t that much and I’m far from trying to save on this.

My total bills usually come down to about $60/mo (for a 2 bedroom apartment without trying to save on anything), which is far from what SmartAsset says you’re going to pay.

The rest of their information on the cost of living in Los Angeles seems somewhat accurate for the “average” numbers. But again, this doesn’t help us with calculating actual costs of living in LA, so let’s move on.

Another website, Apartment Therapy, did a better job on rent prices, but I don’t think it’s accurate enough. The problem is that they omit important details, which I’ll mention below.

Bottom Line: Using numbers for the “average” cost of living in Los Angeles will not give you an accurate idea of how much you need to budget for. Duh.

Cost of Rent in Los Angeles

Once again, what you want to do when budgeting for rent in Los Angeles is to consider several areas first based on that area’s price range. Pick one of those, and then choose a specific neighborhood there. After that, you can start looking at apartments.

Here’s a breakdown of popular LA areas and the approximate cost for 1BR apartment:

• Westside Los Angeles ($1,600-$3,000/mo)
• Central/East Los Angeles ($1,200-$2,000/mo)
• San Fernando Valley – South, East ($1,300-$2,100/mo)
• San Fernando Valley – West, North ($1,000-$1,800/mo)
• Long Beach ($900-$1,500/mo)
• Pasadena ($1,000-$1,600/mo)

I have previously said in my LA neighborhood breakdown article that only three of these areas apply to you as an actor. For the list of reasons why, take a look at that post.

Here’s briefly on neighborhoods that do not apply to you as an actor:

Pasadena is a nice family-friendly area. It’s too far for an actor to live.

Long Beach is a hit or miss. It can be a fine place to live, but there’s more ghetto areas around. It’s also way too far for someone trying to work in showbiz.

San Fernando Valley (western and northern parts only) can be nice too. Pricing-wise, it’s a mix between what you get in Pasadena and Long Beach. There are some very nice family-friendly areas, while others can be quite rough. Either way, it’s too far.

So what I’m going to do is focus only on LA areas that apply to you as an actor:

• Westside Los Angeles (Wikipedia + Map)
• Central Los Angeles (Wikipedia + Map)
• Eastside Los Angeles (Wikipedia + Map)
• San Fernando Valley, southern and eastern parts (Wikipedia + Map)

* Note: Central Los Angeles and Eastside Los Angeles are often lumped together to form an unofficial Central/Eastside Los Angeles area. This is because western part of Eastside Los Angeles that borders with Central Los Angeles are both similar, while the eastern part of Eastside Los Angeles is extremely unsafe. Whenever I mention Central/Eastside Los Angeles, please always assume that I mean all of Central and the western part of Eastside LA only, unless otherwise noted.

And here’s three most popular neighborhoods/cities from each area to give you an idea.

Westside Los Angeles

Santa Monica (1 bedroom): $1,900-$3,000
Example: 1 bed, 1 bath, 800 sqft – $2,800

West Hollywood (1 bedroom): $1,600-$2,700
Example: 1 bed, 1 bath, 750 sqft – $2,200

Culver City (1 bedroom): $1,600-$2,500
Example: 1 bed, 1 bath, 825 sqft – $1,850

Central/East Los Angeles

Hollywood (1 bedroom): $1,200-$1,700
Example: 1 bed, 1 bath, 750 sqft – $1,500

Silver Lake/Echo Park (1 bedroom): $1,500-$2,000
Example: 1 bed, 1 bath, 575 sqft – $1,700

Koreatown (1 bedroom): $1,200-$1,600
Example: 1 bed, 1 bath, 650 sqft – $1,300

San Fernando Valley (South and East)

Sherman Oaks (1 bedroom): $1,400-$1,900
Example: 1 bed, 1 bath, 685 sqft – $1,700

North Hollywood (1 bedroom): $1,300-$1,800
Example: 1 bed, 1 bath, 700 sqft – $1,350

Burbank (1 bedroom): $1,500-$2,100
Example: 1 bed, 1 bath, 700 sqft – $1,900

Hopefully, this paints a better picture of what the rent costs in Los Angeles are.

Yes, you can find a one bedroom apartment that’s $100 cheaper (if you really look for it) or $200-$500 more expensive than the suggested prices above, but what I listed is a “reasonable” rate (for LA, that is) for someone on a budget.

If you think these prices are way too high, it’s because they are. Rent costs in Los Angeles will continue to rise through 2018 at least, so the situation is not looking any better.

That’s why as a starving actor who can barely afford rent you need to find a roommate until you’re able to pay the bills and live more or less comfortably (or at least without the headache of not knowing whether you’ll pay rent or not next month).

Rent is the first consideration for someone trying to calculate cost of living in Los Angeles. And with that out of the way, here’s what else you’ll have to spend your money on.

Bottom Line: Los Angeles rent prices are extremely varied and are based on the area and the neighborhood. Pick the one that fits your budget and go from there.

Cost of Food in Los Angeles

Let me first give you a quick and succinct breakdown on the cost of living in Los Angeles from my personal budget, especially when it comes to food prices and a few other semi-important things. For other monetary details of living in Los Angeles, keep on reading.

The below numbers are based on current supermarket prices and will vary depending on your area and the store itself (more on this below).

* Note: If you’re from overseas, remember that in the US, prices do not include sales tax.

Food and grocery shopping in LA.

• Lunch eating out: $11-$14
• Fast food meal: $6-$8
• Loaf of bread: $2-$4
• 1/2 pound of cheese: $5-$7
• 12 large eggs: $3-$5
• Instant coffee: $6-$12
• Grounded coffee: $5-$9
• 1 pound of boneless chicken breast: $5-$7
• 1/2 pound of grounded turkey: $4-$7
• 1 gallon of 2% milk: $3-$4
• 2 pounds of potatoes: $2-$3
• 2 pounds of apples: $2-$4
• 2 liter soda bottle: $2
• Six pack of beer: $6-$9
• Table wine: $3-$15
• Cigarettes: $5-$8

Living expenses in LA (single person).

• Street parking (per hour): $1-$4
• Parking facilities (per day): $5-$15
• Utilities: $60-$130
• Internet: $30-$70 (depending on the plan)
• Haircut (for men): $15+
• Gas: $3.5-$4.5
• Uber (from DTLA to Sherman Oaks): $30
• Taxi (per mile): $3
• Public transport weekly pass: $25
• Cell phone plans: $50-$80/mo
• Gym: $30-$50/mo

Household items/furniture in IKEA (cheapest).

• Dinner table: $50
• Chair: $15
• Desk: $100
• Couch: $100
• Cookware essentials: $40
• Big set of dishes: $30
• Cutlery: $10
• Microwave: $60
• Toaster oven: $40

Entertainment in LA.

• Movie ticket: $6 (cheap) or $10-$16 (standard)
• Improv show: $5-$15
• Plays: $5-$80
• Restaurant dinner for two: $100
• Coffee (Starbucks): $3-$6
• Coffee (local): $4-$8

If you need more details on the cost of Living in Los Angeles listed in the way I did above, just let me know in the comments below.

Eating out, bars and coffee.

Grabbing a bite to eat in Los Angeles won’t cost you an arm and a leg if you know where to go. Do the research.

The city is arguably one of the best in terms of cuisine offerings, with multicultural buffet of international foods and budget lunches sometimes costing as little as $5.

As an example, a modern cheap food place I occasionally visit when I’m in Hollywood is Oi Asian Fusion in Canoga Park, which provides flavors of the Asian kitchen for $10 and less. In LA, that’s pretty good.

For fast food places, I usually choose Flame Broiler which is pretty healthy and decently priced for a satiating bowl of beef, rice and veggies. Although prices went up recently.

Alcohol. Naturally, Los Angeles has a city life that demands to be explored, and that means bars and cafes. Lager beer averages at about $4 when on the cheap side. In more expensive places, it can go up to $5 extra. Wide varies widely.

Coffee. LA continues to see an increase in trendy coffee joints with all the hipster culture taking over the city. The website Thrillist.com will give you several popular coffee must-haves, which can be used to estimate an approximate cost of quality coffee in LA.

One such must-have is Alfred’s Coffee & Kitchen on Melrose, whose lattes are sold for about $5. I visited the place more than once – it has a cool hipster-like vibe and their chocolate dipped waffle espresso cones are adorable (although not cost-effective).

Just in case this needs to be pointed out, places like these cost higher than your average venti-sized latte sold at Starbucks ($5-$6), although the prices for that also continue to rise like everything else in Los Angeles.

Basically, good coffee in LA is in on a slightly higher end of the price scale, and that stretches out to food and alcohol as well.

Bottom Line: It’s possible to eat out in Los Angeles on a relatively low budget if you do your research beforehand and know where to go.

Groceries and cooking at home.

For the culinary gifted, which is not me but I try, LA has tons of supermarkets to buy produce from, all of varying prices. Prices vary based on the store itself and the area you shop at.

There’s of course the (in)famous cheaper option that is Walmart ($), which so far beats out any other supermarket for prices.

Other supermarkets that can be budget friendly but have fewer locations are Food4Less ($) and the newly opened Aldi ($) stores.

If you want more quality produce, then you’ll have to seek that out in more expensive stores such as Ralphs ($$), Trader Joe’s ($$), Pavilions ($$$) or Gelson’s ($$$).

Personally, I find Ralphs and Trader Joe’s to be right in the middle of decent prices and good, fresh food. Those are my two most often visited stores.

Remember to get a membership card with Ralphs and other supermarkets (TJ’s doesn’t have one). When you seek out deals and discounts, you can shop pretty cheap in LA.

In terms of ethnic food markets, those typically have a reputation of being less costly (again, depends on your area) compared to the standard supermarkets.

The famous Los Angeles farmer’s markets, of which there are many, like The Original Farmer’s Market on 3rd St and S Fairfax St, often charge a lot more.

Even though I’d love to support our farmers and local businesses, I rarely shop at farmer’s markets. It’s not cost-effective in the least.

Bottom Line: Grocery prices vary based on your area and the stores you shop at. Take advantage of membership cards and other discounts for cheaper prices.

Cost of Owning a Car in Los Angeles

First, let me emphasize something that you’ve probably heard, or you’ll read about over and over again as “the #1 advice” for an actor living in LA.

You MUST have a car; or at least a moped.

Los Angeles has a terrible public transportation system. There’s no way you’ll be able to juggle your auditions by taking public transit, let alone going to work and acting classes on top of that.

Owning a car will give you the much needed personal freedom and a sobering scent of air freshener. Unfortunately, cars also contribute to your monthly bills, so consider that too.

Since the cost of car ownership in LA is going to vary depending on many different personal situation factors, it’s difficult to say how much should you budget for.

Once again, I took it upon myself to ask the internet to see what they think about the cost of living in Los Angeles with your own car. What I found out was definitely shocking.

An article by Investopedia paints out car ownership’s expenses as considerably large, with each car costing a person on average more than $8,000 dollars per year.

I have to call BS on that.

Let me tell you that there’s no reason you have to pay that amount; not even close.

Once again, that “average” number – provided that it’s accurate, which is questionable – is completely useless to us when calculating real-life cost of living in Los Angeles.

I bought a used Ford Mustang V6 2003 a few years ago for $3,000 with 130k miles on it. Here’s how much I paid for my car (excluding gas and washing) over the last 12 months:

• General maintenance (incl. oil change): $100
• New windshield wipers: $20
• Registration: $95
• Smog: $50

Total: $255 for one year (approx 10-12k miles)

This is what I paid for it the year before:

• General maintenance: $90 (same mechanic)
• Registration: $95
• Smog: $0

Total: $185 for one year (approx 10-12k miles)

For car insurance, I pay $74/mo. That’s the cheapest plan I could find.

I keep a close track of my budget, so I know the numbers are correct and accurate.

Obviously, the key is to get a decent car from the get go and not rush into buying the first thing you see.

In my case, Ford Mustangs are known for their reliability, which is why I didn’t have to spend much on the car. However, bear in mind that this is a 3.5L V6, which means it does very poorly on MPG. Therefore, I pay more for gas.

The car that would be the best of both worlds – reliable and cheap on gas – is a Honda Civic. This is the most ideal choice for an actor living on a budget in Los Angeles.

I also recommend buying from a reputable dealership. You’ll pay a little more than buying directly from a private owner, but you’ll have less of a headache because good dealerships have a reputation to maintain. You can Yelp and Google to find them.

As for gas prices, your best bet is to simply look at a website like Gas Buddy. Plan to drive about 10k-12k miles a year, and calculate your average spend based on your car’s MPG.

Bottom Line: Car is essential in LA. Ignore its looks, and try to find one that will run a long time with minimal maintenance required and that does well on gas.

Cost of Public Transportation in Los Angeles

There’s definitely a reason to wrinkle your nose at public transport in LA. It’s not the sweaty homeless people; the problem is how long it takes you to get from point A to point B.

For example, if you live in Sherman Oaks like I do, and you need to get to an audition in Santa Monica or somewhere in West Hollywood, it may take you 1 metro ride and 2-3 bus rides. That’s not an efficient use of your time, which is why you need a car.

As for the prices for public transit, those are definitely reasonable: 1 Ride Base Fare is $1.75 – significantly less than the latte at one of those trendy LA’s coffee hotspots.

The Los Angeles metro has several different price worthy deals, including a 7-Day Pass for $25 if you ride a lot (which I hope you do not). Use it for both metro and buses.

Another plus is that the metro offers different discounts, although these mostly apply to younger and older citizens, and not so much to anyone in between those age groups.

While you’re “in between cars,” get a TAP card and use that for both buses and metro access. I always have mine with me and it still has about $10 on it, just in case.

The one time I occasionally do take metro is when going to Downtown LA on a very busy night, such as Saturday. Parking is a headache, so I just leave my car in North Hollywood and go straight to DTLA in one metro ride. It’s very convenient.

Bottom Line: Avoid LA’s public transportation at all costs if you want to make it to your auditions on time. Otherwise, get a weekly pass.

Acting Costs in Los Angeles

If the reason you’re moving to or have moved to Los Angeles is to act, then I presume that the cost of living in Los Angeles isn’t the only topic you’re interested in.

But I’m already 3,000+ words in with this article. I think I will do a separate write-up on acting costs in Los Angeles (once I regain my muse after spending a whole day writing this one), and after that’s done, I’ll update this post with a link.

This way it will be easier for you to separate cost of living in Los Angeles from acting costs and create a better budget structure.

How to Budget for Cheap Living in Los Angeles

I have previously given you some of my personal tips on how to live in LA on a budget.

Since we’re covering cost of living in Los Angeles in thorough detail, I thought I’d drop a few more observations on how an actor can save several dollars here and there in this expensive city.

Here’s how I create my weekly/monthly budgets.

I do a simple and rough budget plan in an Excel spreadsheet. If you want an example, let me know and I’ll create a “stock” one just for you.

In my spreadsheet, I lay out my sources of income and my expenditures, and also graph these. All items are color coded for easy overview.

I try to keep everything organized. The less messy everything is, the more clean and clear my finance sheets are likely to be, which helps to keep a better track of everything.

I used to be quite irresponsible with money. Once I started taking finances more seriously after reading a few personal finance books, I was able to put a lot more cash towards my acting costs and budget for producing my own filmmaking projects.

Trust me, it’s worth being financially aware in Los Angeles.

How to feed yourself on a budget?

For self-explanatory reasons, food is something that you can’t really compromise on.

Below are some suggestions on how to make food less expensive in LA. Most of these are just common knowledge and I hope you’re already doing this to save up.

I create a monthly food and shopping plan. This saves me quite a bit of money.

Mainly, by organizing both my monthly food and shopping plan, it helps me cut down on spontaneous buys, which can cripple one’s finances considerably.

A monthly food plan involves planning roughly all future meals I’m likely to prepare.

Doing this helps me plan those meals so that I can “recycle” food, i.e. reuse leftovers from one day to the next. Ultimately, this cuts down on the amount of products I’ll need to buy, plus decrease the amount of food I’ll end up throwing away.

Complemented with a shopping plan, by which I write a precise grocery list, I’ll get more control over my food budget, and put an extra dollar in my “acting jar.”

This may sound time-consuming, but it’s not. It takes me approximately 1-2 hours every month. This is what you have to do as an actor living in LA, trying to put every cent towards your acting career.

Considering the high cost of living in Los Angeles and the insane rent prices, and if you don’t want to live with a roommate, then you need to find other ways to save cash.

A few other things to consider.

• Food coupons. I don’t do them, but I know people who do well with food coupons. Their practicality speaks for itself. Although you can’t have your entire budget orbit around coupons, they can occasionally free up a dollar to cover other expenditures. All you need to do to find food coupons is a quick Google search.

• Become a vegetarian. I love my meat, but other actors told me that they were able to cut their food costs when they switched to plant based foods. This makes sense, of course, since meat does cost more. There’s even a study on how being a vegan can save you hundreds of dollars every year.

• Don’t eat in restaurants. I hate to be that guy, but it is what it is. If you’re trying to save, then cook at home or choose very budget options to eat out. Spend your money on rent, gas and acting classes instead.

• Check your ego. Don’t splurge on expensive clothes, cars or other things to demonstrate your status. Focus on what matters the most in your life at the moment, and that’s sustaining yourself for as long as you can in this city while pursuing a career as an actor, which isn’t easy as is.

Bottom Line: Creating a shopping plan and tracking your expenses is being smart.

How to rent for cheap in Los Angeles?

Unfortunately, there really is no “cheap” in LA.

Cost of living in Los Angeles is high across the board, and finding a way to live on a very cheap monthly rent in Los Angeles is a tough nut to crack.

The only option is if you sacrifice comfort and living preferences to what is economically possible and sustainable. Even then, expect to pay more than almost anywhere else in the US.

Besides getting very lucky, the only two other things you can do for cheaper rent are these:

1. Get a roommate. It’s the most sensible thing an actor who has just moved here and trying to cut down on cost of living in Los Angeles can do. I lived in a living room (no privacy) for my first year in LA, and had no complaints. It can always be worse.

Once you get over the idea of having some of your personal space being trampled by another budget-smart human being, you’ll get used to that living arrangement quick.

Having another person to split the rent with means that you might not necessarily need to make a home out of a shoebox. If you get lucky (or unlucky) to live with another actor, there are other things you can split costs on as well as share the journey together.

I provided you with some tips on how to find a roommate in LA before. So if your intestines aren’t entirely wrenched at the thought of sharing breathing space with someone else, and they shouldn’t be, check out that post and sites like EasyRoommate.com.

2. Get a place in a cheap (i.e. run down) area. Another compromise you’d have to make if you want to save even more cash is to pick one of the cheapest neighborhoods in LA.

If you take a look above, you can see which areas are cheaper to rent in. Just to reiterate, some of the inexpensive neighborhoods that actors often choose are North Hollywood, Koreatown, Van Nuys and Hollywood.

My advice to you is to not go too cheap. By that I mean don’t venture too far outside of the central LA vicinity for the reasons I’ve already mentioned before.

Also, keep in mind that some very affordable areas are so cheap for a reason. Not only will they be rundown and probably far, but you’ll see some gang activity and experience crime first-hand. It’s not worth it.

Here are just a few cheap areas to avoid due to safety precautions:

• Parts of Downtown LA
• Parts of Koreatown
• Parts of Central Los Angeles
• All of East Los Angeles
• Parts of Mid City
• Anything below Mid City
• Most of Long Beach and Harbor area
• Anything east of DTLA
• Eagle Rock

The three areas in bold are a complete no-no. Do not even consider them if safety is important to you.

In fact, before you choose an apartment, refer to this LA Crime Map to see how your neighborhood is doing with regards to all types of crime activity.

And with that I’m wrapping up this article on the cost of living in Los Angeles. I believe this was quite thorough, but if you think I missed anything, let me know in the comments.

Bottom Line: The only way to cut down costs on rent is to have a roommate and pick a cheap neighborhood. Avoid dangerous areas, however.

Take Home Message

In summary, the cost of living in Los Angeles is unsurprisingly expensive. Rent prices continue to rise, and so do other expenses. When California’s minimum wage goes up, we’re going to be far above the numbers we’re at now.

To save money and live as cheap as possible as an actor in LA, you need to plan your budget well. Find ways where you can save, and understand the things where you cannot be saving on too much (unsafe neighborhoods).

With all that being said, living in Los Angeles is possible even on a minimum wage for a struggling actor. As long as you have a roommate and are smart about your finances, you can easily enjoy yourself in this awesome city.

Hopefully this helps you to brave through all the voices around nagging you about how expensive moving to Los Angeles is, and why you shouldn’t make the move. This article should’ve prepped you for the economic hurdles that life in LA will throw at you.

And for more advice on relocating to Los Angeles, remember to grab my free eBook!

The post Cost of Living in Los Angeles: My Personal Budgeting & In-depth Details appeared first on Acting Plan.

In this article, I’ll give you a few reasons why living in your car is not the best idea you (and many of us, really) had and what to do instead.

Let me begin by saying that I know where you’re coming from:

1. Rent in Los Angeles is very expensive, so you want to save;
2. You’ve read about other actors doing that, and it sounds doable.
3. It’s romantic, in a way.

All of these things are true.

My goal here is nothing more than to give you some information about living a car in LA, and share my observations down the road.

Remember to let me know what you thought of this write-up in the comments below, and let’s discuss if you believe I made some invalid points or if you have more to add.

Reasons You Want to Live in a Car

Number one. I’ve done a breakdown on the costs of living in Los Angeles before, and the numbers may seem quite scary to some. Unfortunately, prices on everything – not just rent – have been rising ever since.

Curbed.com quote current rent costs for median one bedrooms in Los Angeles at around $1,900.

While the above isn’t an entirely fair analysis (you can find one bedrooms for around $1,400-$1,600 in cheaper areas), it’s still not that far off. Either way, LA is definitely expensive but you can live with a roommate(s).

Number two. It’s true that some now famous actors have lived in their cars while auditioning, taking acting classes and working day jobs. Some of the names that instantly come to mind are Hilary Swank (source) and Sam Worthington (source). Al Pacino did not live in a car, but he was sleeping in a theater, so let’s throw him in there too.

The argument here may be that if they have done it, you can too. The problem with this rationalization is that it’s based on a logical error called survivorship bias which is very prevalent among people pursuing dreams in the show business.

Basically, we hear stories from the few that succeeded, but never hear about those who failed. The latter group is most likely much larger than the former.

Number three. Yes, it is romantic. What else can I say?

I’m not going to go any deeper into this, but I did want you to consider the above.

Summary: Rent in LA is expensive, but you can live with roommates. Stories of actors living in cars are good for PR, but they don’t show the full picture.

6 Reason Why Living in a Car in LA Isn’t the Best Idea

I’ll admit that living in a car while pursuing your goals in show business does have a romantic cling to it. It’s almost the perfect material for an indie film: a character faces adversity with a glorious determination that only pining for the arts can summon.

However, after taking a closer look at this ingenious plan, you may spot more negatives than positives. I’m sure you’re aware of all of this, but maybe reading through it rather than mulling it over in your head alone paints a picture that’s more clear.

1. Property and personal safety

Personal safety is the most important here, while the rest of my points are just gravy. Depending on the area, LA is not the safest. I love numbers, so let’s look at statistics.

In 2016, California was proudly leading the nation with the most car thefts. Not only that, but Los Angeles itself was the number one city for auto theft, according to LA Times. On the bright side, we’re number one at something other than worst traffic.

Wait, it gets better. Over the last few years, there’s been a strong trend toward rise in crime in Los Angeles. LAPD reports that in 2016 specifically, robberies, property offenses and assaults have been going up as usual. Compared to 2015, overall crime rose by 6.3% and violent assaults went up by 15.9%. It’s certainly not peanuts.

This begs serious safety consideration when you’re thinking about living in a car in LA.

If you do decide to try it, then make sure you at least practice caution. WikiHow and some other websites if you look around provide good tips on security measures when living in a car, such as parking in safe places and putting any valuable items in a safety deposit box.

Naturally, security measures like these can make a robbery less economically detrimental, but it can’t actually do much good in shielding you from a possible assailant.

Summary: Crime in LA is on the rise, so you need to consider your own safety first.

2. Feeding yourself

If you’re going to live in a car, be prepared for the fact that most of your meals will come in a plastic container from some fast food chain (best case scenario) or a store bought box that has fake Chinese words written on it.

This doesn’t apply to those of you who own an RV and perhaps have access to a cooker and food that’s less likely to build towards diarrhea or a heart attack (harsh, but true).

Potential health complications wouldn’t be the only thing I would consider though. It’s also about the costs, and healthcare is expensive.

All melodrama aside, unless you do in fact eat only noodles, living in a car may have a significant impact your wallet. Having to buy food at restaurants will undeniably cost you more than it costs for you to prepare your own meals at home.

Should you choose to live in a car anyway, I find that in LA (as in most other cities), the cheapest way to eat “on the go” is either – surprise! – McDonalds, Taco Bell or buying from reduced isles in supermarkets. Find the times they reduce prices and go crazy.

I’ve also previously mentioned a few tips on how to live on a budget in LA here.

Summary: It’s less healthy and more expensive to eat when living in a car.

3. Sanitation and personal hygiene

Again, unless you live in an RV, this is going to be a considerable issue. You won’t have access to water for shower or to simply wash your hands, which, in lesser scientific terms, means that your mobile home will be a cooties infested nest.

You won’t have a bathroom, so no doing that either (whatever “that” is to you). For me personally, not being able to do that is a definite deal breaker.

The best, if not the only, option here is to get a gym membership and shower there. To be honest, I have seen quite a few people brush teeth and shave in the gym, and it doesn’t look that bad.

Summary: It’ll be difficult to maintain good hygiene, but joining a gym can solve the issue. No toilet or shower breaks whenever you want, though.

4. Internet connection and electricity

Whatever your attitude is towards Internet, you can’t get around the fact that as an actor, you absolutely need it. In 2017, using online casting websites is the only way to find auditions. Moreover, you need to do this daily, and preferably a few times a day.

Unless you’re auditioning for a part of James Dean, you’re also going to need to contact the outside world every once in a while, and that includes work/acting related things.

Instead of doing all this from the comfort of a couch, you will have to consider either sending smoke signals to your fellow creatives, setting yourself up with mobile connection for a laptop or finding cafés with free Wifi connection

Aside from the signals, the other two options can come to cost you time, money – you’ll have to order something at the Wifi haven you’re seeking refuge in – and concentration (screaming 12-year-olds wearing party hats is a trademark of McDonald’s).

Of course, some working environments are better than others, and undoubtedly going to a public library will grant you more peace of mind than a noisy burger shack, but nevertheless, you’ll need to go out of your way to get Internet access.

Summary: Internet and electricity are two of the greatest inventions of the 20th century, and you’ll get neither if you live in a car. Get a library card.

5. Personal comfort and workspace

On a similar note to the point above comes the issue with creating personal comfort.

Do you recall road trips where after about 3 hours your legs and back start to stiffen, and you’re overwhelmed with an itchy need to get out of the tuna can of a car? No need to imagine that feeling now, because you’re about to get very familiar with it.

Living in a car in LA means that you can’t personalize your living quarters to make them accustomed to your wishes. Even if you’re not an interior design geek, you’re bound to experience the backlash.

It turns out that everything from ceiling height to curvature and colors of furniture to lighting can noticeably influence your mood. Surprisingly, these findings are based on actual research (and here I was, about to make a joke).

Once again, this is not a be-all and end-all of the argument, but it does add yet another reason to consider your plan of living in a car more carefully.

Summary: Living in a car will keep you more tired throughout the day.

6. It’s not always legal

There’s an ongoing legal tug-of-war when it comes to living in cars in Los Angeles. In short, the city doesn’t like it and they keep going back and forth.

Take a look at these headlines:

• October, 2010: California Cracks Down on People Living in Vehicles
• June, 2014: It’s No Longer Illegal to Live in Your Car in Los Angeles
• April, 2015: L.A. will seek to impose new ban on living in vehicles
• June, 2016: L.A. Considers Banning People From Living In Vehicles, Again
• November, 2016: LA City Council Approves Ban on Sleeping in Cars

With all of this hoopla going on, it’s difficult to predict what future holds for aspiring actors wanting to live in cars in Los Angeles even within the next 3-6 months.

If you’re interested in brief details, in June 2016, LA city’s municipal code was altered and living in cars became legal. This was in part due to Section 85.02 being vaguely phrased, ridiculously leading to things like having food in your car being warrant for an arrest.

Despite this change in the municipal code and some folks already packing their cars with Tupperware and leaving for the city of angels, in November this decision was reversed.

Now, there’s a concept of “safe parking”, where people are only allowed to park in certain parts of town (like in church parking lots) and only during specific times of the day.

Not only does this limit your parking options, but the committee’s suggestions seem to mainly focused on homeless people, thus there’s a risk that living in a car might not be an option for creatives at all, given that they are “homeless by choice.”

Even if the new law isn’t restricted to only homeless people, the “safe parking” concept will only free up a couple of parking spaces in entire LA, and there were more than 4,000 people living in cars in LA in 2016 alone, meaning that you are snubbing living space from a homeless person who doesn’t have the luxury of not living in a vehicle.

Summary: LA doesn’t like people living in cars, so they make it illegal.

Take Home Message

My underlying tone in this article may have been decisively negative, but for good reasons. Whilst living in a car in LA might initially present as a golden alternative to insanely expensive LA apartment rent costs, this option can come to cost you more than you might think.

That’s not to say that you can’t live in a vehicle, but it just means that everyday luxuries like choosing when to go to the bathroom and when to re-Tweet a sassy quote from Robert Downey Jr. is no longer at your own disposal.

With that being said, let’s be honest: is it possible to survive living in a car in Los Angeles? Absolutely. It will take an extra level of determination, self-discipline, careful and smart planning.

Can living in a car save you some money? Definitely. It may not save you as much as you initially thought, but it is undoubtedly cheaper than paying $1,500 for a one bedroom.

With that said, living with roommates in LA will not be that much more expensive than living in a car, and you will be safer, healthier and much more productive.

I do acknowledge that a certain level of naivete and ignoring the facts is sometimes necessary to break through as an actor. If you absolutely have to do this, practice safety and work towards decreasing the length of time you need to live in a car.

The post Living in a Car in LA: 6 Reasons That’s Not a Good Idea appeared first on Acting Plan.

Why these rankings matter? A top talent agency has the most power and connections in this city. They submit their actors to world’s largest productions and stay in touch with casting directors that are key players in Hollywood.

This is why every budding actor makes it one of their primary goals to be signed by these Los Angeles talent agencies. If you’re successful, more often than not, your career and life will change. I am still waiting for that call from Ari which should come any day now.

Getting signed by a top talent agency is not easy. And worse, new actors don’t even know what are the top talent agencies in Los Angeles in charge of this business.

In this article, I’ll list ten top talent agencies in LA. Just remember that this is debatable. As the time goes by, “rankings” of these Los Angeles talent agencies change (but not by much). I’ll try to update this list at least twice a year.

Need a full list of agents? 150 Top Talent Agencies in Los Angeles

Is it possible to get signed by a top talent agency?

Other actors have been signed by top talent agencies in Los Angeles before, so it’s definitely possible.

One of my friends has recently inked a contract with CAA just because he had a one line part in this summer’s superhero blockbuster movie. But this scenario is not common.

Ultimately, it’s very difficult to get attention from a top talent agency in LA. They already have a huge roster of clients whom they need to attend to, and more hot talent continuously flocking to Hollywood.

Your chances of getting signed with a power agent in LA can increase if you do one of the following (ideally, all of these things with some luck on top):

• Visibly keep working and expanding your body of work that is noticed in LA;
• Focus on growing the scale and quality of your roles with featured parts;
• Become a SAG-AFTRA member (gives you maybe a 0.01% boost);
• Have a great manager with solid connections that will get you a meeting;
• Get a referral from an actor who’s already represented by the agency;
• Work on a commercially successful big production movie or TV show;
• Win some awards that are recognizable in the industry;
• Develop good relationship with well-known casting directors;
• Grow your social media following and general fan base;
• Have some talent.

I intentionally listed talent as the last one. If you can get any of the above accomplished, clearly it doesn’t matter as much. We all know many poor actors who are successfully working in the industry and are represented by these top talent agencies in Los Angeles.

However, that’s not to say that you shouldn’t always be in an acting class, honing your acting skills. More on the importance of this in my How to Get an Agent post.

Bottom Line: If you’re new to the industry, then getting signed by a top tier acting agency in Los Angeles requires for many stars to align, pieces to fall together and a handout from the Universe.

Why knowing top Los Angeles agencies matter?

Besides the fact that the more you know about the industry you’re in, the better you will be able to navigate within it?

There are many good reasons to be aware of the top talent agencies in Los Angeles. One good reason is potential connections and keeping tabs on everybody in Hollywood.

Q: “So if it’s difficult to get signed, how can this list of top talent agencies in Los Angeles even help me? It’s pointless.“

That’s true, I did mention it’s difficult. But I didn’t say it’s impossible. Keep working at it, and occasionally try your luck with any of them; you never know.

Actors that are serious about their acting career in Hollywood are all aware of who the biggest wolves are in this forest.

Why? Because your goal is to work with top talent agencies in Los Angeles later down the line, as well as the people who are represented by them.

Say you end up working with an actor repped by WME or a director associated with Gersh, and you don’t even try to stay in touch because you thought that Gersh is the nickname that person goes by. The joke’s on you.

Try to stay mindful of people’s roles in this industry. The better you get at this, the more benefits you’ll reap.

Connect thyself with top Los Angeles talent agencies

When I first started to seriously pursue career in film/TV and finally moved to Los Angeles, I had this naive thought that my skills will get me work. As the time went by, and I’ve met more people, read more books, researched and experienced the industry, the reality started to settle in.

Hollywood is about nepotism, almost no matter how talented you are.

Q: “So I should just stay in touch because that person has connections? That doesn’t seem right.“

Yes, you should. And no, it doesn’t. Welcome to Los Angeles. Networking is everything.

That’s not necessarily a bad or a good thing. It’s simply how Hollywood works. Someone will open you the door, which will eventually lead to a thousand more doors. The day will come when it’s your turn to open a door for someone else.

It goes without saying that it’s better if you develop a meaningful relationship with the person. You must find a way to be genuinely interested in them as well as their work. But one’s connections is a big incentive to try harder to keep those relationships afloat.

Remember that nobody’s giving out handouts in Los Angeles. If they will help you out, they probably have you in mind for some favor in the future. That’s show business. That’s any business, really. Sounds cold, but you’ll soon join the dark side too. It’s great!

Jokes aside, ideally, you want to work with a director/actor with strong representation because you two connect. And hopefully, they feel the same. That’s when you strike gold.

I can’t convince you? This guy knows what he’s talking about (watch it till the end).

Bottom Line: It’s important to know the biggest players in the industry if you’re hoping to one day work with them. Knowledge is power, and networking is vital.

Top Talent Agencies in Los Angeles (2018)

Finally. Below I will list 2018’s ten top talent agencies in Los Angeles that have Hollywood’s biggest names on their rosters: actors, directors, screenwriters, and other showbiz folk.

Keep in mind that this is a list of agencies for theatrical representation (film, television, webisodes). This doesn’t necessarily mean that they have other departments that are just as strong, i.e. commercial, modeling or literary. However, majority of them actually do well elsewhere too.

Since I know theatrical agencies by heart (not that the neurotic in me doesn’t do monthly check-ups on this), I’m providing this first. For commercial, modeling, kids and other LA agencies, I’ll do more thorough research for you and publish a list of those later.

Top 5 Most Powerful Talent Agencies in Los Angeles

Now, let’s begin with five top Los Angeles talent agencies that for years have never fell down off of this list. These being the most powerful agencies in LA means that they’re likely to be one of the biggest in the world.

1. William Morris Endeavor (WME)

• Address: 9601 Wilshire Blvd 3rd Fl Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (Google Maps)
• Contact: (310) 285-9000 / (310) 859-4085 / (310) 248-2000
• Website: http://www.wmeentertainment.com/
• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Morris_Endeavor
• Clients: John Travolta, Clint Eastwood, Catherine Zeta-Jones

About the agency: The product of a merger between William Morris Agency and Endeavor, WME is not only a top talent agency in LA but also the largest talent agency in the international community. With talent that includes the Rolling Stones, John Travolta, and Clint Eastwood, it’s a sure bet that WME will get you where you wish to go.

Originally, William Morris Agency and The Endeavor Talent Agency worked separately within the same city, though WMA had a storied, 100-year history of representing talent. While WMA had over a century worth of experience and expertise, Endeavor grew quickly and became one of the fastest-growing agencies just before the two companies joined forces.

When the two entities merged in April of 2009, they became a powerhouse agency in Hollywood. Today, their combined efforts as WME represent talent in every arena: movies, TV, music, theatre, digital and publishing, and even the NFL. It occupies a solid first position on my list of top talent agencies in Los Angeles. WME is also strong internationally which gives it a slight advantage over CAA (listed below).

2. Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

• Address: 2000 Avenue of the Stars # 100, Los Angeles, CA 90067 (Google Maps)
• Contact: info@caa.com / (424) 288-2000
• Website: http://www.caa.com/
• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creative_Artists_Agency
• Clients: Robert Downey Jr, Cate Blanchett, George Clooney

About the agency: Perhaps the absolutely most prestigious of all talent agencies in Los Angeles specifically is Creative Artists Agency. It’s more commonly referred to as CAA. With a roster full of the highest-profile actors and a proven track record of winning its clients significant paychecks, CAA is the upmost tier for actors seeking a big break in LA.

The agency got its start in 1975, when five agents joined together in Century City. They were without significant funding, and relied on folding tables and chairs to win their first clients. Within its first week, CAA sold three packages, one of which was The Jackson 5ive. The agency grew quickly, earning around $90 million in booking each year by the end of the 1980s.

As changes occurred and CAA grew even greater in influence and revenue, its celebrity clientele expanded too. The agency came to represent nearly 1,500 of the top actors in Hollywood with approximately $150 million in revenue each year by the late 1990s. It’s unlikely that CAA will leave its position as one of top talent agencies in Los Angeles anytime soon. CAA doesn’t simply help its stars secure bookings; the agency offers career assistance and financial specialists to cover any need.

Today, CAA has many different divisions in addition to the common film and television acting. That, and unique divisions such as CAA Marketing, which works with brands and corporations. Also CAA Sports, which features agents who solely represent athletes. That sets it apart from many other agencies. CAA is more than a top Los Angeles talent agency — it sits with the best around the world.

3. International Creative Management (ICM)

• Address: 10250 Constellation Blvd 9th Fl Los Angeles, CA 90067 (Google Maps)
• Contact: (310) 550-4000
• Website: http://www.icmpartners.com/
• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICM_Partners
• Clients: Al Pacino, Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen Degeneres

About the agency: Similarly steeped in Hollywood’s acting history, International Creative Management is known for representing talented comedians and stars of both film and TV. It’s been one of the top talent agencies in Los Angeles for a while. Although it may be better known for foreign films rather than U.S. blockbusters, it’s a firm in competition with CAA and WME for the best of the best.

ICM represents clients not only in Los Angeles, but also in Europe and on the eastern coast of the United States. Founded in 1975 when Creative Management Associates and International Famous Agency merged into one single agency, ICM has grown immensely.

Just recently, in 2012, the agency gained a new name and a new partnership. It’s been one of the top talent agencies in Los Angeles for years, however. Whether it’s acting, or live performance, or literary publishing, or branded entertainment is what you’re after, ICM deals with these divisions and more.

4. United Talent Agency (UTA)

• Address: 9336 Civic Center Drive Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (Google Maps)
• Contact: info@unitedtalent.com / (310) 273-6700
• Website: http://www.unitedtalent.com/
• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Talent_Agency
• Clients: Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie

About the agency: One of Hollywood’s long-lasting and reputable talent agencies, United Talent Agency represents both actors and filmmakers who seek to break onto the competitive entertainment scene. Another household name, UTA has been one of top talent agencies in Los Angeles for quite some time.

If you’re a director, actor, or even producer, you should keep your eye on UTA. As one of the largest agencies not just in LA but the world, UTA hosts over 200 agents who represent talent that ranges from movies and TV to below the line talent and video games. When it first began, UTA formed as the result of a merger between the Bauer-Benedek and Leading Artists Agencies. It appears that mergers are a trend among agencies in Hollywood.

Once under the name of a single company, UTA took off and garnered immense success as its first packages included The Simpsons and The Wonder Years. They also got successful with talents like Joel and Ethan Coen, Larry David, and Mike Myers. Over the years, UTA has grown into a huge creatives powerhouse agency for talent internationally and at home here in LA.

5. Paradigm Talent Agency

• Address: 360 N Crescent Dr North Bldg Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (Google Maps)
• Contact: (310) 288-8000
• Website: http://www.paradigmagency.com/
• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradigm_Talent_Agency
• Clients: Adrien Brody, Antonio Banderas, Laurence Fishburne

About the agency: Headquartered in the famous, fancy and wealthy Beverly Hills, Paradigm is a top talent agency known for fostering the careers of independent film stars. If starting your career off in a Sundance-based film sounds enticing, one day Paradigm may be the top talent agency for you.

With offices scattered throughout the United States, Paradigm hosts more than 150 different agents who each represent a great variety of talent. They have their toes dipped in movies, television, music and live performance, comedy, endorsements, and many more divisions.

In recent years, the agency has expanded significantly into the Electronic Dance Music (EDM) arena by joining forces with the EDM talent agency AM Only. Now they represent stars like Skrillex and David Guetta, further establishing it as one of the top talent agencies in Los Angeles.

Just two years ago, Paradigm grew its representation and influence within the music industry even more when it acquired half of the U.K.’s Coda Music Agency. Today, Paradigm is one of the most varied and versatile agencies in both Los Angeles and the nation.

Top 5 Second Tier Los Angeles Talent Agencies

While the above LA talent agencies steadily stay at the top, second tier agencies will often change places, with some dropping and new ones coming in. However, these five below have been the steadiest I’ve seen over the years.

6. The Gersh Agency

• Address: 9465 Wilshire Blvd #600 6th Fl Beverly Hills, CA 90212 (Google Maps)
• Contact: info@gershla.com / (310) 274-6611
• Website: http://www.gershagency.com/
• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gersh_Agency
• Clients: Kristen Stewart, J K Simmons, Patricia Arquette

About the agency: Known throughout Hollywood and Los Angeles as TGA and Gersh, The Gersh Agency is a family affair. Supremely successful and featuring a host of famous talent, it’s an agency know for taking young actors and turning them into professional actors.

Created by Phil Gersh in 1949, Gersh has grown since its first years in the world of literary and talent representation. Today, the agency boasts more than 100 employees, 60 agents, and an office on each coast, making it yet another strong competitor among all other top talent agencies in Los Angeles.

Gersh is a top talent agency that is strong enough to be considered one of the powerhouses in LA. However, just because the top five spots have already been taken, I had to place it down here. Generally, they’re known as one of the most desired for talent agencies in LA to be represented by, and their roster of clients is no less impressive than those top five listed above.

7. Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) 

• Address: 405 S Beverly Dr Beverly Hills, CA 90212 (Google Maps)
• Contact: (310) 888-4200 
• Website: http://www.apa-agency.com/
• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agency_for_the_Performing_Arts
• Clients: Gary Oldman, Gina Rodriguez, Louis C.K.

About the agency: If you wish to do comedy or music on top of your acting career goals, the Agency for the Performing Arts is the perfect fit. Founded in the year 1962 by agents who left MCA, APA has become known for its roster of famous comedians, metal band like Judas Priest and Poison, and major motion picture actors.

It’s a top acting agency that has something for everyone. Early clients included Johnny Cash, The Doors, and Liberace. Today, APA is no small agency — they have grown to represent even bigger names. APA has been steadily holding its position as one of top talent agencies Los Angeles for a long time.

With a roster of divisions that includes every media platform, APA represents talent in film, television, theatre, and even digital publishing, to name a few. If you’re an up and coming star who hopes to turn your dreams into a worldwide lifestyle brand, APA is the perfect agency to keep tabs on. The team is familiar with building and selling brands like the Kardashians, Bombardier, and Marriott, which should tell you something.

8. Innovative Artists

• Address: 1505 10th St Santa Monica, CA 90401 (Google Maps)
• Contact: (310) 656-0400
• Website: http://www.innovativeartists.com/
• Wikipedia: didn’t deserve one, yet
• Clients: Jennifer Westfeldt, Amanda Seyfried, Ashley Greene

About the agency: If you’re on the younger side of the Los Angeles’ showbiz talent pool, you’ll want to court the attention of Innovative Artists. This eight one of the top talent agencies in Los Angeles, which represents Lilla Crawford and G. Hannelius, is known for scooping up young talent before they break onto the scene.

Innovative Artists describes itself as an agency with a distinctive niche, one that offers its talent very personalized representation and service. With 25 years in the entertainment industry under its belt, Innovative Artists has become known for one quality in particular: excellent service for those it represents. I’ve heard actors say good things about it too.

According to their own site, clients come first at this agency (one should hope so), and the agents themselves build strong relationships with those they represent. So even though while their client list may not look as impressive as those agencies listed above, this agency is just as strong any other I’ve mentioned in my second tier part of the list. 

Finally, remember that an agency like this who has leverage in Hollywood but isn’t as big may be the best deal. That’s because they will be able to focus on you more rather than spread their attention across many different clients who may be “more important.”

9. Abrams Artists Agency (APA)

• Address: 9200 Sunset Blvd. 11th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90069 (Google Maps)
• Contact: contactla@abramsartists.com / (310) 859-0625
• Website: http://www.abramsartists.com/
• Wikipedia: didn’t deserve one, yet
• Clients: Ryan Potter, Paris Smith, Braxton Beckham

About the agency: A Hollywood and Los Angeles staple since its inception in 1977, Abrams Artist Agency represents actors in every realm of the entertainment industry. They’re good for theater, animated film and television, TV, radio, commercials, and even event hosting.

It’s a top talent agency that’s enjoyed a fantastic reputation since its creation. Over its decades working in the entertainment industry, Abrams Artists Agency has made its name by becoming one of the most diversified in both Los Angeles and New York.

With so many different divisions, including a literary division and a currently growing and increasingly popular youth division, there’s truly a niche for everyone within Abrams. You’ll benefit from being a client of theirs the most if you also want to pursue voice over jobs as well as written works.

10. Don Buchwald & Associates

• Address: 6500 Wilshire Blvd Ste 2200 Los Angeles, CA 90048 (Google Maps)
• Contact: info@buchwald.com / (323) 655-7400
• Website: http://www.buchwald.com/
• Wikipedia: didn’t deserve one, yet
• Clients: Angela Lansbury, Cybill Shepherd, Ron Perlman

About the agency: Last one on our list of top talent agencies Los Angeles but by no means least is Don Buchwald and Associates group, otherwise known as DBA. Back in 1977 when Don Buchwald, the agent, has left a commercial talent agency called Atlas Talent Agency, he formed his own in New York City with five other partners.

In 2010, they have finally opened an office in West Hollywood and now continue to grow in size very rapidly. Their biggest office remains in NYC where they own a building with six floors, all fully staffed. Even though their original niche was commercials, they are now a very strong theatrical agency representing some of the biggest stars in Hollywood.

With DBA’s constant signing of bigger names, this agency is quickly climbing up the ranks, and will likely be a lot higher in my 2018’s top talent agencies in Los Angeles list update. I’ve seen and heard actors and filmmakers discuss the agency far more often in 2017 than it was back in 2013. So if you get an offer from these guys, do not shy away (does this beg a “duh”?)

Take Home Message

There’s at least 150 talent agencies in Los Angeles that I know of.

Some are almost as huge as the top ones on this list, and others are small with just a few clients. But considering one as a “top talent agency” is highly arbitrary (besides the top 2-4).

A few names like ICM, WME or CAA are so-called “celebrity agencies.” But most of these agencies (and many others not listed here) will work hard enough to get you out.

It’s likely that all of them have connections with the same casting directors, so it will all come down to you personally: your work ethic and your talent.

If you’re an actor who’s just starting out, then I’d say don’t worry about mailing these agencies your submission packages, yet. You don’t want to do that for two reasons:

• As a complete newbie in LA with no solid work you’ll be wasting your time;
• They will not represent you as well as a really good boutique agency may.

Newcomers should concentrate on being repped by small talent agencies because their agents will work harder for you. They want to make a name for themselves as well by getting you auditions and hoping you climb the ranks in Hollywood.

Stay mindful of the top talent agencies in Los Angeles, particularly for networking opportunities. But generally, you should focus on expanding your resume and the quality of your body of work. If you stay consistent and produce work, you’ll get noticed in LA.

The post 10 Top Talent Agencies in Los Angeles for Theatrical Representation appeared first on Acting Plan.

I’ve started my journey with stage, then moved onto film. Eventually, I began looking for voice over jobs myself, and it opened more doors for me, both in terms of connections and finances.

With that being said, becoming a voice actor isn’t something you can actually do “on the side,” really. That is if you want to make good money from voice overs and succeed as an artist in this field.

This career choice will require dedication.

Similarly to screen acting, your focus will be to continuously audition, produce good work and then hope to get signed by one of top talent agencies in Los Angeles. Once that happens, you’ll be able to catch your breath.

So after many months of researching this career and trying to get voice acting jobs myself, I feel confident that I can provide you with some great tips on how to become a voice actor in Los Angeles, or any other city for that matter.

In this article, I will walk you through the following topics:

• What is a voice over?
• How to get into voice acting?
• Where to find voice acting jobs?
• How do voice acting casting calls work?
• What voice over home studio equipment you’ll need?

If by the end of this article it’s still unclear to you where to find voice acting jobs, what voice acting casting calls are and how to get into voice acting, leave your questions in the comments and I’ll update it with more details.

So Where Do You Look for Voice Acting Casting Calls and Book Voice Acting Job?

Let’s begin with a quick introduction on what voice over is and what do voice actors do.

What is a Voice Over?

I assume that if you’re looking for voice acting jobs, you’re already familiar with this career. In case you need more details, let me briefly explain what is a voice over and what this profession entails.

A voice over (or voice-over, or voiceover) is a production technique, or at least that’s how Wikipedia describes it. This technique is used in filmmaking, radio, TV, and some other mediums.

All voice overs are pretty much the same thing: an actor is recorded as he reads off-camera from a given script. That dialogue or monologue is later added to film, animation, documentary, video game, or other piece of work.

Regardless of what many believe, voice over work is not easy. There’s a reason why it’s a big market where good money can be made. Today, finding voice acting jobs has become very difficult. It’s a competitive niche for voice performers.

However, some voice actors have said that doing voice over work is the easiest job one could have:

“It really depends, but, generally speaking, just because of the mechanics of it, voice-over is easier because there is no hair, no makeup, no wardrobe, no fittings, no line memorizing. You don’t have to me woken up in Russia at 6 in the morning and go film a scene. It’s just easier on the body, the family life to do voice-overs.” – Kathy Najimy

There’s definitely a lot of truth to that, but don’t be misled. If you’re just starting and you want to get into voice acting, it’s going to take some voice training and consistency.

How to Get Into Voice Acting?

Becoming a voice actor is similar to pursuing a career as a film, TV or stage actor (or most other performing arts careers, really). You start with nothing, train yourself and look for voice acting jobs you can book.

You’ll need just two things:

• Your voice demo reel;
• Membership on a casting website.

It’s really that simple, but let’s break it down a little.

Here’s the secret: the easiest way to get into voice acting is to actually START.

Begin with anything. Just put together a simple voice over reel with whatever you have and start applying.

Stop preparing yourself, stop trying to find the best way, stop figuring things out. Simply apply for voice jobs (see below where) and see what happens.

It’s true, you will suck at this in the beginning. You won’t book most of the stuff you apply for. And you will most likely fail, many times. But failure is the best experience you can have, and that’s how you learn quickest.

You cannot learn to swim in you’re afraid to dip your toes into the water.

With that out of the way, there are things you can (and should) do to improve your chances of booking voice acting jobs. This is what you do on the side as you continue to audition and look through voice acting casting calls every day:

1. Get some voice over training under your belt
2. Put together a voice over demo reel
3. Market yourself and your voice within the industry
4. Start networking and making connections
5. Get an agent

I will dig deeper into all five of these points in a future article where I’ll be able to expand more and explain each point in greater detail. But I’m sure that without any explanations you already understand what each one of those steps entails.

Briefly, here’s how this process works.

You need training to keep getting better as a voice artist. Voice over is an art form, and just like any craft, you need to hone it to be great at it.

Having a good voice over demo reel will help you book more voice acting jobs. But don’t obsess about making it perfect at first. When you’re just starting out, put any kind of demo together if you don’t have the funds to spend on professional services.

Once you’ve got some voice over training and a somewhat decent demo reel, start marketing yourself. Don’t just look for voice acting casting calls, but go out of your way to make sure people know about your talent.

On top of marketing, getting out there to network is arguably the quickest way to get BIG productions to hire your voice. Connections are everything in this industry.

Finally, getting an agent doesn’t have to be your last step. You can start looking for one at any point in your career, but it’s never easy to get signed. Most voice actors have the best chance of getting an agent after they have a body of work, a name to themselves and solid training.

That’s pretty much it when it comes to becoming a voice actor. Sticking to this plan and staying consistent is what will get you your big break.

Need a full list of agents? 150 Top Talent Agencies in Los Angeles (2017)

Where to Find Voice Acting Jobs Online?

Now, the big moment we’ve all been waiting for. Where does one find voice acting jobs and how to actually book them?

Internet.

Surprised? Probably not. It’s likely you’ve already Googled something like “voice acting casting calls” or “voice over jobs Los Angeles.” You know those websites that come up? Some of them are legit, and that’s where you begin your search for voice over gigs.

Similarly to finding TV or film acting auditions, a few of those websites also publish voice acting casting calls.

Here’s a list of legitimate places to find voice over jobs online:

• Voices.com
• Voice123.com
• VoiceBunny.com
• Backstage
• ActorsAccess

The first three are voice-over work only sites, meaning that all you will get are voice acting casting calls. The last two are mostly for film, TV and theater work, but they also post castings for voice over work.

All of these websites have free and paid options. Naturally, a free account will have limits, so if you’re serious about becoming a voice actor, then you’ll need to invest a little in your career.

I’ll quickly introduce you to the first three most popular voice over casting calls websites. Please note that I’m not an affiliate for any of these three sites, and my opinion of them is completely impartial.

Voices.com Casting Calls

Voices.com is the biggest site for voice over work. It’s slightly more expensive, but they offer an additional paid monthly option which is good if you just want to try it out.

Here’s their three membership plans you can choose from:

If you want to see all the options you get with each account, simply register on their site (for free) and you’ll be taken to Voice.com pricing plans.

Voice123.com Casting Calls

Voice123.com is slightly less popular but a great place to look for voice acting jobs nonetheless. They’re in the middle between the most expensive and the cheapest way to start.

They don’t have a monthly plan, but here’s what they offer:

Again, if you want to explore what this account will provide you with, then register for free at Voice123.com site and see what they have.

VoiceBunny.com Casting Calls

VoiceBunny.com is still a growing websites that continues to post legit voice acting casting calls. They’re the cheapest out of these three, so if you’re looking to test this out for the least amount of money, this may be a good place to start.

They also only have two plans, free and paid, and here’s what you get:

I advise you to register on VoiceBunny.com as well as on the other two sites (for free, of course) and then compare listings, options and whatever else they offer to see what fits you best.

Which one of these is best in my opinion?

It depends how much you can invest.

Aspiring voice over actors that are serious about becoming a voice actor quick and be professionals should go all in, in my opinion. That’s what I did. If that’s you, then try Voices.com for a full membership.

But if your funds are limited, then it’s up to you what works best. Even then, it seems like the cheaper membership of Voices.com could work better, but do your research.

Finally, there is another way to find voice acting work, and that’s freelancing.

Doing freelance voice over acting jobs

There are a few alternative ways voice over actors get jobs.

Registering with the above mentioned websites should be any voice over artist’s first priority, but doing something on the side to get more experience, earn some extra cash and boost your career is not a bad idea as well.

The two most well-known freelancer website for voice overs are these:

• UpWork
• Fiverr

I’m not going to get into these right now, but I will in the future if you want me to. I suggest you to go to these sites and click around; most of the stuff is self-explanatory.

In the most basic terms…

UpWork is the world’s largest online freelancing job platform. People offer all types of services there, including voice over work.

Fiverr is huge and very similar as well, but they have a different system: services cost $5 each (but you can provide “extra gigs” for more money).

The way it works is simple: client registers on the site, posts a job (or finds your service in search) and you go from there. Everything is legitimate and you shouldn’t worry about being scammed.

How else to improve chances of booking voice over work? 

If you Google around, you can find a few other suggestions on where to find voice acting jobs, and how to book your first gigs.

Since I’ve been at this for a while, I already knew most of the methods, but I did my research for this article anyway. Fortunately for both me and you, I found some interesting tips that I didn’t think of before myself.

Unconventional methods. For example, this article from Edge Studio provides a thorough list of ways you can find more work as a voice actor.

Most of the methods they list are somewhat unconventional, and are unlikely to get you a lot (if any) work. However, it never hurts to try.

Aspiring actors who have some extra time on their hands must definitely try all possible ways to get out there and find more voice acting casting calls, and book more gigs – whatever they may. I know I’ll give some of these a shot.

Going mobile. During my search for more tips, I’ve also stumbled upon this piece from LA Times. It provides some great insight into this profession.

In the article, the author interviews a few voice artists who share their “secret” methods for finding voice over jobs. What’s the method? Using mobile phone apps.

When I was reading through it, I realized that I have never done this! And it seems like it should be one of the first go-to places for voice over work.

What are those voice over apps? Unfortunately, there’s just one so far for booking voice acting casting calls:

• Voices.com App [Android | iOS]

However, there are some really cool mobile apps for voice over artists that you can use outside of work to practice or warm-up your voice.

Here are a few that I’ve found and that would be useful for voice over actors:

1. SAY-U App [Android | iOS] – practice voice over work by dubbing characters;
2. Vocal Warm Up [Android | iOS]
3. Voice Recorder [Android | iOS]
4. Audition Editing [Android | iOS]

Now back to the LA Times article.

Voice actors who are interviewed (and who are now making millions from providing their voices to video games, by the way), also mentioned the importance of having a home studio equipment set up.

“The ability to create a home studio has put voice-over work within reach of more than just professional actors, opening up the industry to anyone who thinks they can make money off their vocal cords.”

This is a very important point to cover, since you will need to know the basics of a home voice over studio and how to set it up (for cheap). I’ll talk more on this later in this post.

How to Book Your First Voice Acting Casting Calls

Finding voice over jobs on the above sites is very simple. You sign up and then browse their job listings, otherwise known as voice acting casting calls.

If you’ve applied for any type of artistic work online before, then this is exactly the same. But if you’re completely new to the performing arts industry, then I’ll explain to you the casting call process in detail.

Here are the steps you take to book voice over jobs online:

1. Sign up on the website (paid or free)
2. Go to the voice over casting calls list page
3. Filter the list by location (choose your city)
4. Start clicking through the most recent jobs
5. Read the description, and if all fits, click “Apply”
6. Upon applying, you’ll send your resume and demo reel
7. Done. Wait for them to respond if they pick you

This is a standard practice for booking voice acting jobs, and it’s pretty straightforward.

Note that you’ll be doing this daily – browsing through casting calls, picking work that you like, applying – so you’ll get quite good, fast. I do this first thing in the morning for all of my acting work, both film and voice overs.

What happens after you send in the application is self-explanatory: casting directors (CDs) will listen to your demo, and if your voice fits, they will get back to you with further details. Usually, this is done on the same platform you used to apply for the voice over work.

If they don’t pick you, most of the time nobody’s going to get back to you. So do not waste your time sitting and waiting, it’s not worth it.

Just like with auditions, once you apply for your voice acting casting calls – move on. Don’t dwell on anything, there’s no time for this.

So let’s say they do like your voice over demo and they’re interested in you.

One of two scenarios will take place:

1. They’ll ask you to come into the studio for audition, or
2. Send you a script for you to do a voice over and send it back to them.

The second option is the most common for booking voice acting jobs. The first one is likely only for huge productions, and you won’t find those on the regular voice over casting call websites.

Therefore, in order to book your first (or 100th) voice over job, you need to be prepared.

Aspiring voice over actors are expected to record their voice auditions at home. The logic is that there’s no reason to waste anybody’s time with studio rentals and commute.

For this reason alone, all voice over artists always have at least some very basic voice over home studio equipment set up at home to be able to record their voice over auditions.

If you don’t have a home setup, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to book any voice over work.

While you don’t have to spend as much money on all types of acting tools that film actors have to, you do need your own small home studio equipment, which will be the biggest investment in your voice over career.

With that being said, let’s talk what type of voice over home studio equipment you should get to start booking voice acting jobs, and how much is that going to cost you.

All the below items is what I personally used. I researched a lot before I bought my stuff, mostly looking for the best quality products for the cheapest price. I think I did pretty well in terms of finding cost-effective equipment, so let’s take a look.

Voice Over Home Studio Equipment You’ll Need

This is arguably the biggest expense you’ll have if you want to become a voice actor. Film and TV actors don’t need to do this, but they have tons of their own expenses, so it’s all the same in the end.

Do you really need to have your own voice over home studio equipment, or is that just something to consider?

Yes, you really need it. At least some of the most basic stuff. Why? Because you’ll have to record most of the auditions yourself, and how are you going to do that without the equipment?

Why can’t you record it on your phone? Because even though phone cameras are now good enough to shoot a movie, phone voice records do not provide sufficient quality for the casting director to even consider you.

Basically, if you send anything that’s not up to quality in sound, it will look unprofessional. No matter how good of a voice actor you are, it’s unlikely you’ll be considered.

Here’s what you’ll need the most:

• Basic voice over microphone
• Pop-filter/windscreen
• Basic but decent headphones
• Simple sound booth setup
• Editing software

And this is what you can wait on but need to get as soon as you can:

• Good quality microphone
• Mic stand
• Pre-amp
• Good quality headphones
• Proper sound booth
• Mixing board

Personally, I only got myself the most basic voice over home studio equipment setup. I’ve done a lot of research to find the most cost-effective options, and I’ll share those with you below.

Transparency: Please note that product links below are affiliate links, meaning that you can help me out a little (at no cost to you) when you buy using them. If you don’t want to do that, then simply copy the name of the equipment and Google it.

Voice over microphone

Obviously, your microphone is what records your voice so you’ll need to spend the most you can afford on this piece of equipment. Everything else can be cheaper.

However, I found a really great microphone for a very affordable price which I’m not in a rush to exchange for something better. It’s called Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Dynamic Microphone.

I’ve seen a lot of voice over artists and podcasts recommend this mic as the best budget option, too. Even Tim Ferriss is using it.

For what this microphone costs, you can’t beat this quality.

Pop-filter/windscreen

A pop-filter is what you see used in most home equipment studios as well as professional studios. It serves as an anti-pop protection shield or filter for a microphone to produce better quality sound.

Basically, it removes (or almost removes, depending on your skills and the quality of mic and pop-filter) the popping sound. That “popping” sound is common, and it’s created due to air moving to the microphone when you record your voice.

Pop-filters can be expensive, but there’s no need for you to get anything above $20. I first got a very cheap one for $7, which broke after the first day. Second one I bought as the Auphonix Pop Filter for just under $20 and it’s perfect.

Studio headphones

There’s no need to go super fancy with headphones, in my opinion. I’ve seen headsets that cost upwards of $1000+ and some voice over artists do you use those, but unless you’re already making big bucks, I’d say don’t go anywhere above $100.

A good headset is necessary, however. You need to isolate outside noise and clearly hear your recordings, and you cannot let your mic pick up any sounds from speakers (duh). Your iPhone headphones will not help you here. I’ve tried.

I was happy with my Audio-Technica mic, so I decided to go with the same brand. After a lot of research, I saw that many others also recommend these: Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Studio Headphones.

Sound booth/soundproofing

Another important part to your basic voice over home studio equipment setup is soundproofing the area and isolating any type of outside noise. This is absolutely vital to produce a quality recording.

If your mic ups the noise your fridge makes, or how neighbor mowing grass, or even some ambient noise in the room – the recording is no good. Having a proper sound both is the best option, but it’s costly so I wouldn’t recommend it at first.

Instead, what you can do is go the budget way like I did, and get yourself a small soundproofing setup.

Basically, I bought an isolation shield (Monoprice Pro Audio Shield is great) to put around my microphone. Then, I got some cheap soundproofing foam, and put it up on the walls. You don’t need to cover all the walls, however.

I have to say, I’m not even consider building a sound booth, because this setup works perfectly well and isolates all the noise. And I’m not living the quietest neighborhood.

Editing software

To become successful at booking voice acting jobs, you also need to edit them accordingly. It’s not difficult, and proper software helps out a lot.

There’s a lot of voice over editing software out there that you can purchase. If you know what you’re doing, or you have time to learn all the fancy techniques for editing your voice overs, then it may be a good option.

For me, I just went with free editing software and didn’t pay a dime for it. It works perfectly well and I have no reason to buy anything at the moment.

If you want a free option, then you can’t beat Audacity in this area. It does absolutely everything you need it to do, it’s very simple to get a hang of and there are no unnecessary features that would confuse you.

So that’s pretty much it in terms of voice over home studio equipment.

Like I said, if you’re starting to make money with your voice over work, then consider investing into better equipment, more websites to find better voice acting jobs and further progress in this career.

Take Home Message

Let’s summarize. Voice acting is a great career choice, but also the one that will require your full dedication if you want to become a regularly working voice actor.

Being a voice artist can pay good money after you break into the industry. Voice acting jobs are easy to find but not easy to book when you’re just starting out.

This career choice will require initial investment in the form of setting up your own home studio equipment for recording voice over auditions.

I myself am just in the beginning stages and booking voice over gigs here and there, but I am yet to get any major studio voice over work. Once this part of my career picks up, I will update you with more advice on how and where to move further, and share my own experience.

If you have any questions about finding voice acting jobs, how to get into voice over acting or setting up your voice over home studio equipment, leave your questions in the comments below.

The post Where to Find Voice Acting Jobs and How to Book Them appeared first on Acting Plan.

Central Casting

You’ve all heard of background work on a film set before. People doing background work are known as background artists, or more commonly – extras.

Background work is something actors like to explore on the side. It’s similar to doing voice over work, which is what actors pursue when they have time.

Becoming an extra is one of the easiest ways to get onto a film set fast, and many aspiring actors start out this way. Brad Pitt and Clark Gable did it too.

Working as an extra will not skyrocket your acting career or get you signed by one of top talent agencies in LA. You also won’t be able to use these projects as credits on your IMDb or acting resume.

However, becoming an extra for a short time can be beneficial, and I’ll talk more on this in the upcoming article.

I’ve myself recently registered with Central Casting Los Angeles – the main place for extras casting in LA. In this article, I’ll share my experience and walk you through the process of registering with Central Casting Los Angeles and getting your first background gig.

What Is Central Casting in Los Angeles and Do You Even Need Them?

Let’s start with a quick introduction of Central Casting (not Casting Central). This is their website for more information.

Central Casting is a legit casting company. They are the oldest place that’s been hiring extras for film and TV productions for over 90 years not just in Los Angeles, but all over the country. They’re also the largest extras agency and majority of background work is outsourced through them.

Central Casting’s main office is located in Burbank, California on Flower St (Google Maps).

Parking is on the street only, but if you arrive early enough to make the cut, you’ll find a spot on Flower St with no problems. If you arrive too late, however, and you can’t even find a spot to park, it’s a good sign that you won’t make the cut, but you can still try.

Although a lot of people who worked with Central Casting Los Angeles have their own beef with them, the company remains the most professional and busiest extras casting office you can find. You just have to play by their rules.

Basically, anybody wanting to become an extra in LA will have to register with Central Casting, and there’s no point looking at any other places, unless you’ve been fired/banned from using their services.

Bottom Line: Central Casting is the oldest and biggest extras casting company in LA.

How to register for Central Casting?

The worst part about Central Casting, in my opinion, is their old school method for registering new people. However, once you’ve gone through the process once, you don’t need to bother anymore (almost).

There is no online form or website that you can use to register with Central Casting Los Angeles. You literally have to drive to their office with your documents in hand, fill out an application and let them take a photo of you.

Sounds simple? If only… The problem is that a lot of people want to register with Central Casting, and the company has only three days with specific times when you can come in and register. As a result, there’s always long lines of folks wanting to start working as extras.

Currently, these are the days you can come and register at Central Casting LA:

• Mondays: 9.30 am
• Wednesdays: 9.30 am
• Fridays: 9.30 am

They may change the schedule, so before you go, check this page to make sure.

It’s best to come early. And I mean REALLY early. You’ll be surprised once you see the number of people that are already lined up, waiting to get in, at 7 am in the morning. You’d think they’re giving away free money or fame vaccines.

Be there early, because not everybody gets in.

Central Casting has a limited amount of seating inside, so usually it’s about 70 people that will be seen on the day. If you’re not in the first 80-90 group, most likely you won’t get in.

The set number is 70-ish (I asked) but some folks forget their documents or decide to leave before they get in, so you may get lucky even if you’re just a little past 70th person.

So bring a book to read, or have some music or podcasts ready on your phone to listen to.

Bottom Line: Registering with Central Casting is easy, but you need to arrive very early and be patient. There’s a lot of waiting.

Central Casting Los Angeles registration process

The hardest part of registering with Central Casting is to:

a) Arrive really early
b) Have enough patience

If you arrive early enough to be one of the first 70 people, then you’ll be standing in line for about 2-3 hours before you’ll get to sit down inside.

I actually had to do this three times, with the first two attempts failing because I arrived too late. So to give you a better perspective on this…

• First time I came to Central Casting Los Angeles office about 20 minutes before the opening (I can hear those who’ve been through this chuckling now). I  couldn’t even see the beginning of the line.

• Second time I arrived about 1.5 hours before 9.30 am, and I missed the cut by 2 people. That was quite frustrating.

• Third time I got lucky, just about. I arrived 2 hours before, and I was in the group that got in last. Almost didn’t make it.

Once you survive the cut, you’re golden. All you have to do is follow the instructions of the people in charge and remain patient.

After the first 2-3 hours of standing outside, you’ll be invited inside to do more standing and sitting. Waiting isn’t over yet, and it’ll be another 2-4 hours, only now inside their office going through the orientation (at least you don’t have to worry about wasting time).

Time-wise, if you’re somewhere close to the first group registering (early arrivals), then you’ll be done by 1-2 pm.

If you’re closer to last group, then you’ll finish around 2-4 pm. Either way, you’ll do a lot of waiting on the day, so I suggest to free up your schedule.

Everything else about this is very easy and there are people who will tell you exactly what to do.

Now here is the registration process in a nutshell:

1. Print and prepare forms the night before
2. Arrive early, wait in line
3. Make the cut, get inside to do more waiting
4. Sit down and listen to the introduction
5. Fill out more forms they’ve given you
6. Get a headshot done and leave

It’s all very straightforward. Their FAQ page is also very helpful.

There will be forms that you’ll need to fill out which you’ll be given once you’re inside, but there are also forms that you need to bring with you as well as your ID and other documentation. Let’s talk about those.

Bottom Line: Once you make the cut and get into the office, you’ll do more waiting, fill out forms, get a photo taken and then leave by 1-4 pm.

What documents you need to bring?

Central Casting makes it very easy. They have this list of all the documents you need to bring, so make sure you have all of these.

For more details, visit their “Registration” page.

After you’ve read the “Registration” page, make sure you take a look at the “Resources” page as well (hover over the “Registration” link).

On the “Resources” page you’ll see a list of documents. Yes, you need to print all the forms on that list that must be filled out, signed, dated and brought in on the day of registration.

Note that some of those are simply for informational purposes (e.g. Welcome Packet or Feature Credits) so do not print those and save paper and ink.

Here are the forms you need to print, sign and bring with you:

• Registration Form
• Attribute List
• W-4 Form
• Harassment Policy
• Anti-Piracy/Confidentiality Policy
• Heat Stress Training Acknowledgement
• Pence Form
• EEO-1 Government Reporting
• Photo Image Release
• I-9 Form

Make sure you’re sober when filling these out, and I suggest you do this a day before rather than on the day. Pay attention where you should NOT fill anything, as there are a lot of those.

Some of these forms will be given to you on the day during orientation, but it’s better to have everything filled out in advance, since the orientation is moving fast.

Most of the information you need to provide is straightforward. The one you really need prepare for is the “Attribute List” – that’s where all your measurements and skills go.

Yes, you DO have to provide ALL the requested numbers in the “Attribute List,” so if don’t know them, better get a measuring tape and have a friend measure you. Otherwise, you’ll need to be measured during the registration and it will take longer.

The rest of the forms are your usual bureaucracy.

You also need to bring your personal documents:

• Your driver’s license
• Birth certificate
• Social security card
• Green card (if you’re not a US citizen)

Don’t forget these! Honestly, bring as much documentation as you can just to be safe.

You’ll see quite a few people leaving without registering after having waited for 3 hours only because they forgot their social security card. Central Casting Los Angeles is very strict with their requirements.

Bottom Line: Download, print and fill out all the forms a day before. Make sure to input all your measures, and don’t forget to bring all your personal IDs and other documents.

Working with Central Casting Los Angeles

Once you’re done registering for Central Casting, you’ll know the process of how to get work with them, what’s it like working as an extra, what rules you need to follow and so forth. Everything is explained in great detail during the orientation (just pay attention).

This is to give you a quick recap on how people get extra work with Central Casting:

1. Central Casting receives a project they need to cast extras for;
2. They publish all the details on their Facebook Page;
3. If you fit the part, then you either email, call or leave a comment (instructions are always provided within the Facebook post).

It’s as simple as that.

Then, if they pick you to work, they’ll call you with time(s), location(s) and any further instructions.

When submitting, make sure that you definitely can make the time. If you don’t show up, Central Casting will quickly ban you from working with them ever again. Because of their popularity, they can easily pick and choose.

That’s it. At this point, all you have to do is follow Central Casting’s updates on their Facebook page, continue submitting and be easily accessible over the phone and email.

There are agencies that can actually follow these updates from Central Casting for you and submit you without you having to do anything. They take a cut from your paycheck but make your life a lot easier. Some of those agencies are legit and others are scams. I’ll write a separate article on this topic in the future.

Bottom Line: To book extra jobs, all you have to do is follow Central Casting Facebook page and follow the instructions given in every casting post.

How do you get paid?

When working with Central Casting Los Angeles, you will always know how much you’ll be paid, but you do not get paid on the day.

Central Casting is paid by the production for which you worked as an extra, and then they pay you.

They mail all their checks on Thursdays the latest, but can mail them earlier depending on the production.

Your check will be mailed on a Thursday after the week you worked, and you usually get them in about 2-4 days.

More questions and answers with regards to payments through Central Casting can be found on their payroll FAQ page.

Finally, here’s a good Q&A (or IAMA) on Reddit that you may find useful.

That’s pretty much everything you need to know about working with Central Casting Los Angeles.

Details on how to be an extra on a film set can be found in one of the documents listed on their resources page I linked to above, and you will also be given thorough instructions during your orientation at Central Casting. Remember to pay attention and really listen.

For those that are curious but aren’t in a position to become an extra yet I will write another article in the future on working as an extra on a film set just to give you an idea of what’s it like.

If you have any questions with regards to Central Casting, registration and booking jobs, let me know in the comments section and I’ll try to answer all of your queries.

The post Central Casting Los Angeles: My Experience & Tips for Newbie Extras appeared first on Acting Plan.

I’ve done a lot of work on this, so here’s what you’ll find:

• Top 10 celebrity agencies
• Top 10 powerhouse agencies
• Top 20 mid-sized agencies
• Top 25 most promising agencies
• Top 85 boutique agencies

I’ve also included instructions on how to use this list to your best advantage, some quick straight to the point tips and advice on submitting to talent agents, what to do and not to do, and how to write your cover letters.

FREE Download Here: 150 Top Talent Agencies in LA (PDF)

Your willingness to view annoying ads on this website is what helps us put out free resources, so thank YOU!

Smaller Agencies Are Your Gateway

The reason I’ve created this list is because my previous article on LA based talent firms has received a lot of attention, and I’ve been getting emails from actors asking about smaller LA agencies for them to submit to. Obviously, those agencies are more useful.

For the most effective strategy and tips, I’ve written a detailed guide on how to get an agent here. I recommend you use it alongside this list to improve your chances.

But remember that LA is a giant pool of talent – actors, models, directors – and people representing them. With so much competition, top talent agencies in LA have their hands full accommodating celebrities. This means that new actors have little to no chance.

When you’re relatively green in the industry and are trying to find an LA based talent agent to represent you, aiming at the very top of this list is futile. Instead, your goal should be to go with smaller LA boutique agencies that are just as hungry as you are.

Why? Because not only do you have a better chance of getting signed at smaller mid-sized and boutique agencies, but they will also work harder for you than any celebrity agency would. It’s in their own interest to get you to the top.

What’s In the Box?!

On the right, you can find two random pages from the document to give you a better idea of what this document contains.

As the title implies, it’s a list with 150 top talent agencies in Los Angeles – more than you would ever need to send your materials and finally getting signed with an agent.

It was put together starting with the most powerful agencies and dropping down in “levels.” The agency’s power rank is based on many factors, primarily their size, connections, specific agents, clients, and so on.

Rankings of LA talent agencies in here isn’t the only, or even the most important thing about this list. What’s more valuable are the agencies that begin after the first 20 – these will be your key target for (e)mailing submissions and getting interviews with agents.

It’s not easy to locate these smaller boutique agencies in LA – they don’t advertise themselves. With this detailed list, you have them and their info at your disposal.

To make the job much easier for you, I’ve also included some important details about every agency, such as their mailing address, social media, emails, phones, number of agents and clients, instructions on how to submit, agent names and a short description.

The post 150 Los Angeles Talent Agencies (FREE!) appeared first on Acting Plan.

There are very few places in the U.S. as financially impactful as Los Angeles.

I’ve moved to Los Angeles a while back, and can confirm how tough it can be to keep things together financially when living in the City of Angels.

In 2014, a UCLA study (PDF) confirmed that rent in Los Angeles is least affordable across the whole country.

According to more recent data, Los Angeles continues to be considered as one of the least economical cities to reside in. It costs home owners an average of $630,000 to buy a house in this area.

With a cost of living index 34 points higher than the national average, Los Angeles isn’t known as the home of affordable living.

So how do we as Los Angeles residents survive the extra financial burden placed upon our income and bank accounts, and how can you as well? It’s planning.

11 Tips on How to Live on a Budget in Los Angeles

Living in the county and the city itself requires a bit of careful planning, and some creativity.

Actors who move here to pursue film acting auditions, stage work, voice over acting jobs, or simply to work as extras forget how different the City of Angels really is.

Although you may be used to a life of walking, free parking, and reasonable rent, life in Los Angeles requires a different mindset and different money-saving tactics.

I’ve read articles like this before moving to LA myself, and after implementing some of the tactics, here are my personal favorite (best?) ways to survive life in LA without breaking your budget.

1. Double Check Your Grocery Store

Heading to the grocery store is a simple act: you hop in your car, or walk, to the nearest store.

Yet in Los Angeles, visiting the wrong grocery store can result in overpaying.

Sure, the Walgreens around the corner sells everything except fresh fruit and vegetables. The mom-and-pop mart across the street does so, too.

But have you checked their prices against other retailers in the area?

When living in Los Angeles, you’ll get more bang for your buck by shopping around.

My best tip on living on a budget in LA is to compare each store’s weekly ads to see where you can save.

For example, you can purchase a pound of spaghetti noodles at Vons for $0.50 one week, and $1 another. Or, you may find milk for $3 at Ralphs, while your corner store sells it for $4. These little difference add up.

2. Stop Paying for Parking

Parking is a hot commodity throughout Los Angeles city and county.

With street sweeping laws and regulations, too many cars on the streets (because nobody walks in LA), varying hours of allowed parking and tow zones, and even special holiday hours, you may never know where and when you’re allowed to park and when you aren’t.

You can avoid excessive parking fines and even that valet fee at places like the Grove, the Laugh Factory, or Hollywood and Highland by always skipping the valet and taking a cab, or better yet Uber, to wherever you go.

With the accessibility of both taxis, Lyft, and Uber, you’ll never need to spend a dime on parking.

It took me a while to realize the value of these services particularly in this city, but it’s true.

As a bonus, these services can save you gas, additional tickets, and the expense of wear and tear on your car.

3. Shop Flea Markets

You may be used to shopping at traditional retailers like Target, Ikea, and maybe even higher-end stores like Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel.

But when you move to Los Angeles, I’d say forget about buying your home goods and furniture in these box-like retailers.

Instead, save yourself some cash by furnishing your place with vintage pieces from flea markets throughout the city and county.

Why waste hundreds of dollars and an entire Saturday at Ikea when you can stop by the Rose Bowl, the Orange County Swap Meet, or the Roadium and purchase furniture, cookware, kitchen utensils, and other items for a fraction of the cost.

LA is a great place to find mid-century vintage items, and there’s nothing better than a DIY vintage home.

4. Forget the Gym

Want a truly LA experience? Cancel your gym membership and get outside. That’s one of the benefits of living in Southern California.

Seriously. Los Angeles is the mecca of healthy individuals, the city of kale, Runyon Canyon, and long walks on the beach.

I didn’t even know what hiking really was before I moved to LA. Now I hike several times a week.

Forget paying for a monthly gym membership and hit the trails, campgrounds, beaches, and parks of your new surrounding city for free.

There are many outdoors related things you can do in Los Angeles for cheap(er) or even free.

5. Go for Free Stuff

Speaking of free things, there’s more than just outdoors in LA.

Another great benefit of living in this city is all of the free activities, adventures, and places that sit nearby.

Want to receive some free stuff? Visit LA Weekly’s promotions page to get some mailed to you.

Looking for additional promotions? Visit Curbed LA.

Or, if you want to get outside and take advantage of free events and museums, you can check Discover Los Angeles and the Free Museum Day websites.

Remember that you can also visit any one of the numerous Los Angeles county beaches, all of which are free as well.

6. Eat Tacos from Trucks

You’ve heard all about them, and yes, they are as great as they sound. They’re an even better way to eat your dinners out when living in Los Angeles.

Grab some tacos, a burrito, or even pupusas from a taco truck, and you’ll have the cheapest eats you can find locally.

At just a few dollars a plate, taco trucks and their delicious fare make the cost worth the calories.

I would recommend to chat with native Los Angelenos, or others who’ve come to know the city’s secrets well, and you’ll be able to discover many different ways to eat on the cheap.

SeriousEats.com has a great list of 21 best places for tacos, so start checking those off.

7. Skip the Satellite or Cable

When living in Los Angeles, there’s an almost endless wealth of activities, adventures, and places to explore.

Although you may be a TV watcher and couch potato by nature in your hometown due to cold weather and a lack of things to do, LA leaves no excuses for us.

This city offers ample opportunity for you to get up and get interested in a hobby, a place, or even just an event.

Many residents of the city save hundreds of dollars each month by forgoing satellite and cable TV, and now I’m one of them. Why sit inside when the sun is almost always shining outside?

If you still want TV viewing options to fall back on, you can stick with Netflix, Hulu, or even Amazon — each of these streaming services is available for mere dollars a month, a huge savings for your bank account.

8. Utilize Your Shopping Smarts

When you absolutely need to spend money, purchasing new clothes or other items, don’t do so at one of the many shopping meccas in Los Angeles.

Sure, you can find stores anywhere, but if you’re living life on a budget in LA, you won’t want to hit Rodeo Drive or the Beverly Center.

Instead, head out of these famous areas and into less tourist-focused LA neighborhoods to score deeper discounts.

For example, you’re more likely to find increased amounts of clearance and sale items if you shop in Burbank or Torrance rather than Beverly Hills or West Hollywood. Simple, but many people forget.

9. Take Advantage of College Campuses

Perhaps the most exciting (and helpful) perk of attending a college or university is receiving student discounts at many different retailers. I even have a suspicion that’s why many students go to college (not really, but maybe?)

Though your student days and discounts may have ended, you can still find ways to take advantage of all that’s available to college students in Los Angeles.

And luckily, LA is home to many students thanks to schools like CSULA, USC, UCLA, and LMU within its city and county limits.

Although you can’t claim to be a student and snag deals at stores, you can utilize these campuses’ many free offerings to the community.

Need to do some research, or just want to read? Visit the UCLA library in Westwood, where you can read and utilize their internet.

Or, if you’d like to save a few bucks on your annual dental checkup, stop by USC’s Ostrow School of Dentistry, where you can have hygienists in training practice their skills on your teeth.

With a little research, you can find out what these LA colleges offer for free or highly discounted rates, and by taking advantage of these discounts you’ll be able to save in many ways.

10. Join Local Rewards Programs

Rewards programs can seem nothing more than annoying — just another company that gets your email and sends you specials or newsletters frequently.

However, when you need to make every dollar count, your purchases can help you save money if you’re utilizing various rewards programs.

For example, most pharmacies and grocery stores throughout Los Angeles feature programs that either offer discounts on in-store purchases, or give cash back in some way.

Shop regularly at Vons, and you’ll receive as much as 30 cents off per gallon at your local Shell station. Same with Ralphs.

Become a Rite Aid Wellness member, and you’ll earn rewards dollars that can be spent at the store at a later date.

Want to save on parking? Some shopping centers, like The Grove, offer free valet parking with rewards program membership and certain purchases.

Check with the places you frequent, and see just how much you can save by filling out a form.

11. Cut Bills Back

Your bills are non-negotiable; you have to pay for what you use.

Of course, if you consciously work on lowering your bills each month, turning off any unnecessary lights and avoiding your AC or heating unit, you can shave dollars off them.

Take your savings a step further by speaking with your gas, electricity, and water providers — many of these companies throughout Los Angeles offer citizens who earn certain levels of income a discount on their monthly bill.

For example, Southern California Gas allows residents to apply for a discounted program, and Edison also offers something similar.

You can also track how much electricity you’re using each month, allowing you to cut back if you’re getting close to your maximum budget number.

Don’t be afraid to work at negotiating those bills, even if they seem firm.

The post 11 Tips on How to Live on a Budget in LA appeared first on Acting Plan.

It’s not unusual for new performing artists to decide on pursuing their goals in Los Angeles entertainment industry and then become completely overwhelmed with the information.

I experienced this twice. Once when I decided to pursue acting many years ago, and again when I moved to Los Angeles in hopes to get signed by top talent agency in LA so that I can sit back and wait for the work to pour in.

Needless to say, that’s not what happened. 3 years later, I’m still working my butt off.

Over time, I learned more about the industry. I’m still learning, but at least now I can share some of that information with others and maybe you can reciprocate in the comments below this post.

With so many acting hopefuls arriving to LA with big dreams of finding acting work, or voice over work, and so much talent represented by powerful agents, and a giant pool of others ready to apply for your jobs, it can be disheartening when you embark on your search for acting auditions in Los Angeles.

Don’t fret, because everybody’s been in that position at one point or another.

The path to being cast in a blockbuster film or a successful TV sitcom is definitely arduous, but I believe it’s far from impossible.

By now, I’ve already been (or still am) a member of all major casting websites in Los Angeles. I hope this article will help you to find your future LA auditions and expand your acting resume to launch your career.

Need a full list of agents? 150 Top Talent Agencies in Los Angeles (2017)

Where to look for acting auditions in Los Angeles?

Your ability to find auditions depends on nothing else but knowing where to go online. Comparing 2016 auditioning process with that of the 1990s, we’ve got a better slice of the pie, I would think.

So what should you be looking for?

Just like with everything else, there are different types of auditions (acting jobs). Ultimately, the “fatter” your resume and your demo reel, the better your chance of getting higher level gigs.

It’s important to stay realistic and true to your goals.

Don’t be frustrated that you can’t find auditions for a Supporting role on the next Spider-man movie. If you’re just starting out, keep your main focus on small indies and student films.

Where do you start?

First, you should narrow down exactly what it is that you’re able to apply for. This means “knowing your type.”

Are you a muscular male who can play a mean looking antagonist in a short?

Do you look like a reliable, easygoing woman perfect for short and sweet commercials?

Are you the girl next door, or a handsome leading man type? What, exactly, is your niche?

I said it before: acting is a business, and you need to look at it this way.

Once you’ve figured out your type and your market, it’s time to start scanning through all those acting auditions in Los Angeles.

There is no one single master list. Casting calls are all spread out across different casting call services.

All legitimate LA casting services are paid. They use different payment models, with some being cheaper than others.

BreakdownServices.com

The best place to find acting auditions in Los Angeles is through using Breakdown Services.

If you’ve ever wondered how talent agencies are able to send their talent on so many different auditions, it’s through using Breakdown Services where all major auditions are posted by casting agents, directors and producers.

Breakdown Services is the casting calls website. However, only agents get to use it.

Talent agents get “certified” and their agencies pay a fee to receive a list of casting notices on a daily basis from Breakdown Services. We, the regular group of unrepresented actors, have no way to access professional casting call breakdowns.

ActorsAccess.com

Fortunately, there’s a similar service for everybody to use, and it’s run by the same people of Breakdown Services.

It’s called Actors Access.

So far, it’s the biggest list of all acting auditions in Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago and other places in the US.

AA casting calls are free to view once you sign-up, also for free. Head over to their site so that you know what I’m talking about.

However, you cannot apply for acting jobs without paying.

Fortunately, Actors Access doesn’t cost a lot, especially if you’re ready to be applying regularly.

It’s $2 per submission (1 acting job/audition).

Alternatively, you can get all submissions for free with their Showfax membership subscription, which is only $66 per year.

I highly recommend just paying $66. The other day I applied to 44 gigs at once. It would’ve come out to $220 (with demo reel submissions).

Should you pay for Actors Access?

If you’re serious about acting in Los Angeles, then no doubt the answer is yes. There are other sites, but AA is the best for beginning actors.

Let’s say you’re not going to pay for anything else. Then I’d say at least pay the yearly AA fee and continue submitting yourself throughout the year, for free.

Other services to find casting calls in Los Angeles

Breakdown Services and Actors Access are not the only big boys in town.

There are other websites you can sign up with as alternatives in addition to your AA account. Remember to always be wary of scams as there are a lot of them in this city.

Here are other major websites I recommend:

• Backstage (paid)
• LA Casting (paid)
• Now Casting (paid)
• Casting Frontier (paid)
• Mandy.com (free)
• Craigslist (free)

The first four paid ones are well-known and definitely legitimate. Mandy.com and Craigslist.org can be good for finding acting auditions in Los Angeles, but you need to be more careful in there.

Want to increase your chance of getting invited?

Finding auditions won’t make a dent in your career, nor will applying for them. You have to book those gigs.

How do you improve your chances of booking? This begs a separate article, but it’s all common sense:

• Know your type and the roles you fit best
• Have a professional LA-made headshot on your profile
• Ensure your headshot represents your type exactly
• Have a detailed resume of your credits and training
• Ensure your resume has no grammar mistakes
• Have a demo reel (as soon as you can get it)
• Ensure your demo reel is short and has your best stuff
• Maintain active social media accounts, build a following
• Make sure your whole profile looks professional
• Keep training, working and updating your resume

It’s not going to be possible to have a very detailed resume for total beginners, but you have to start working towards it as soon as you can.

Check out my article on resume without experience.

Using free services (Craigslist, Mandy, etc.) should be used as a last resort. It’s best to invest into a membership on one (or several) paid casting website.

Again, just to remind you guys – this is all business, not art. Not yet. In order to grow this business, you must invest in it: time, work and money. Yes, you definitely can take a shorter path, and hope for luck to strike you, it’ll just take longer. Probably much longer.

Keep networking to get more jobs

The length of your resume matters a lot. The more jobs you book, the easier it gets.

Yes, it’s a catch-22 for aspiring actors who’re just starting out, but what can you do?

Aside from the tips I’ve given you in my Acting Resume article, it’s also important to keep honing your schmoozing skills, and get down and dirty into networking.

Staying active within the entertainment industry in general can bring you into contact with exactly the type of people you’re hoping to impress: casting directors, producers, screenwriters, other working actors and filmmakers.

Follow the industry, and you’ll find these people:

• Join local community theaters
• Get into several acting, or other performing classes
• Participate in student and small indie films
• Volunteer to star in various projects without pay
• Try doing some PAing (Production Assistant) work
• Join groups like New Filmmakers or Women in Film
• Hang out in seminars for actors and entertainment folk
• Visit all kinds of LA-based events, like Surviving Actors

There’s a bunch of ways to network in Los Angeles. Everybody does it. All of this is opportunities to increase your exposure and presence in this crazy city, get to know the entertainment industry and let the industry get to know you.

Then, whenever a chance to act present itself, jump on it.

Sure, applying for acting jobs from the comfort of your home, sitting behind a computer screen is all good and dandy, but all successful actors did all the dirty work, too. The more I live and see here in Los Angeles, the clearer the picture gets on how you work this city.

Most people don’t like networking, but they still do it. This is the way you find acting auditions in Los Angeles and build your resume for bigger projects. Make yourself visible and available.

As your exposure in LA grows, and more people see you around, you’ll begin commanding the attention of talent agents, producers, casting directors and start booking acting jobs.

Agents and casting directors (your target audience right now) are known to watch videos of actors on YouTube and/or stop by theater performances throughout Los Angeles. You shouldn’t depend on this, but you never know who’s watching.

It highly behooves you to avoid staying at home. Get yourself out there.

I wasn’t good at networking back in Europe, but I made a conscious decision to change that part of me. I’ve been in Los Angeles for a relatively short period of time, but already made connections that got me some acting work and PA jobs.

Utilize social media opportunities

Actors are only now realizing the power of social media. Even celebrities.

There’s no doubt that social media, though tied to your social life, can provide fantastic networking opportunities for actors.

I recommend everybody to join event pages, groups, and “like” different organizations on Facebook to see when casting calls are taking place throughout the city. I’ve joined a bunch of them and starting to converse with people to learn more, and get to know them.

Here are a few pages you should take a look at:

• Los Angeles Casting Call
• LA Casting Calls
• Project Casting

You can also follow talent agencies and casting directors through their Facebook pages or connect with some on LinkedIn.

A few other Facebook pages of casting directors:

• Sandi Alessi Casting
• Jeff Olan Casting
• Debe Waisman Casting

There’s a bunch of these. Tip: when you click “Like” on one, Facebook gives you a horizontal line of recommendations. Do go through those.

You won’t communicate with most (unless you’re very bubbly), but it’s good to stay aware of auditions, what CDs are doing, how the industry is moving and so on. Some of those updates are very enlightening.

Also, it’s definitely possible to score a personal connection on LinkedIn or Facebook. Those connections can be valuable, but make sure not to become that annoying person who regularly hits up people to talk about themselves. We all know them.

Make it a habit to track film productions and castings in Los Angeles. Don’t memorize them, but stay up-to-date; keep that information somewhere close.

I’ve impressed many people with knowing who’s around, who’s working at the moment, where castings are done and so forth. If nothing else, this can create an interesting conversation with fellow performers.

To stay closer to the industry topics, visit related websites daily:

• Deadline Hollywood
• The Hollywood Reporter
• Vanity Fair
• IndieWire

Becoming a part of the Hollywood community isn’t only necessary, however. It’s fun.

Casting calls for union actors

I’m guessing that you don’t yet hold membership in any of the industry’s unions.

One of your goals after moving to LA should be to join a SAG-AFTRA union, or rather become Eligible to join, as soon as you can. You shouldn’t rush into joining it; I’ll expand on why in a future blog post.

Anyway. There’s a myth out there that Union actors receive more auditions. Yes and no.

SAG-AFTRA has their own casting calls, but they are usually the same ones posted on Actors Access and/or Breakdown Services. Union status has very little to do with this; it just makes sense that represented actors (whose agents have access to Breakdown Services) are in the Union, thus the connection.

Becoming an extra in Los Angeles

Finally, don’t rule out background work – being an extra in LA is a useful experience.

Background work is not acting, however.

If you decide to start doing some background work or even become an extra regular, then Central Casting in LA should be your first stop. Here’s my experience with Central Casting Los Angeles and what you can learn from it.

Background work doesn’t go on the resume, and you cannot throw around names of the projects you worked on as an extra. This will immediately label you as an amateur.

When you’re just trying to become an actor in LA, it’s important to get onto a film set as soon and as often as possible. Being an extra is the easiest and quickest way.

Doing background work will not build your resume or secure you any bigger roles. What it will do is earn you a little cash, get you to meet some like-minded people, and allow to observe how professional film sets function.

Extra work can also be a somewhat steady job for beginning aspiring actors.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to make a career as a background worker. There is no “ladder.” Unless you get extremely lucky, you mostly stay in the same position – being an extra.

With that being said, I think all actors should do some background work for fun and experience.

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