Is it possible to get signed by a top talent agency?

IN MY OPINION:

WILLIAM REYNOLDS:

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. 

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.