The right agent for Indie Actors

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	Topic: The right agent for Indie Actors
Posted : 04/04/10 / Views : 856 / Replies : 4 /
tombutcher 13 posts last on: 04/02/12 send private reply	Hello all out there! I'm currently writing to agents to get representation but I want to be very specific about who I write to. As a London based actor gearing his career towards Independent Film can anyone recommend suitable agents who deal with this field in particular? Thanks

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	Reply #1
Posted : 03/04/10
helengrady 167 posts last on: 05/02/12 send private reply	I'm not an expert, but I would think it unlikely that you would find an agent specialising in independent film for the simple reason that there tends to be very little money in it! A decent agent will work with you to enable you to pursue the work you think will suit you best as well as encouraging you to look at any work that will make you (and the agent) some money.

	Reply #2
Posted : 03/04/10
leeravitz 1543 posts last on: 5 hours send private reply	I think Helen has called that one right. Virtually all agents, big or small, are in the industry to try and make money and the last area they wish to specialise in is independent film, as it never has any budget behind it. There are certainly some casting directors who specialise in casting eclectic and unusual film subject, matter (mainly as a personal choice - many casting directors specialise, if they are competent enough to make decent money for themselves, in casting only the types of project that interest them, and many are cultured and aesthetically inclined enough to want to devote their career to 'art house' and 'indy' type creativity, rather than mainstream TV and film), but you will have to source these casting directors for yourself (a good place to start is analysing the credits and interests demonstrated by those CD's who are members of the Casting Directors Guild of Great Britain - you can easily google the website). Agents invariably prioritise what earns money, however, and this tends to mean that commercials, mainstream television and bit parts in highly commercial movies come top of their wish list for you as an actor. It also appears to be true to me that film fails to be a sector of significant industry in this country (I do a fair amount of my work in film, and have a great love for working on screen, so don't say this out of any prejudice, but, rather, from regret). In essence, the British 'film industry' remains small and independently subsidised (for the most part), even at its highest levels, and most significant screen projects involving British talent are either TV shows that are increasingly moving towards a cinematic style of presentation, or joint co-productions with US, European etc. monetary backing. There just appears to be very little money in the film industry in this country full stop, and it remains rare for a British actor (unless they go to Hollywood, and only then, generally on the strength of a successful career and the building of a reputation in more 'domestic' work in the UK) to have a glittering career in film. Most of the actors who remain highly rated in this country continue to make their name in either theatre or television (which is, to be honest, how it has been since about the 50's!), although I think the balance of influence has changed: where once you would have learned your trade in the theatre and then transfered to TV if you were lucky enough, now it tends to be TV actors who are allowed the plum theatrical roles in order to get bums on seats. But the principle is not that different, really. A David Tennant is, in some sense, the same sort of specialist a Laurence Olivier was, and neither attained reputation primarily through film acting. To get back to the independent sector, though: it remains a thriving, if underwhelmingly regarded, aspect of film making in this country, and my experience is that it genuinely is a very small world, in which the majority of writers, crew and performers do tend to know, pool resources with and work with each other on many projects on a fairly regular basis. In many ways, to start 'getting somewhere' in independent film your best bet is simply to seek out good casting requests and try and secure yourself gigs on your own merit; after you have done a few films, you may start to get a reputation amongst certain people as a 'go to' actor (particularly if you have certain special skills) and find that you start generating regular offers to appear in films of one stripe or another. I don't think any agent will be able to parallel this need to network for you; for a start, the vast majority of them have no knowledge of, or contact with, independent filmmakers who tend to operate on an 'ad hoc' basis, rather than establishing huge, recognisable corporate structures that an agent will be familiar with - rather, they are all working from tiny production offices in the middle of Soho, and you will do just as well to source the work yourself. Always try and research companies on the web, track down their material on stream etc. because there are reputable companies...and those who claim to be reputable companies, and, in fact, are wannabes, and you have no interest in working with the latter. But, I guarantee, decent projects are out there, if you keep your eyes open for them. The major drawback with working in the indy film sector, which goes back to the initial point, is that there is rarely any solid money in it, for anyone, at any point. Not only does this mean that you tend to be left out of pocket while working (though probably not as badly during a quick and well organised shoot, as you would be pursuing a lengthy rehearsal period for profit share theatre!), but if funding falls through, or costs mount at any point, a shoot may have to be suddenly abandoned. Many also is the indy film that is made in expectation that it will secure a distributor that never comes. And, even if a distributor takes an interest, there is no guarantee that the film will sell. If you are lucky enough to come on board a film which has a distribution deal in place, and full funding behind it, then you are made for the duration of the shoot and afterwards - though this will be tending already to be moving out of the 'indy' or 'guerilla' sector, where the essence is that the budget is sparse, the profit unlikely and the film being made without backing from any major studios or broadcasters. Still and all, as an actor who is probably in more demand on screen than in any other medium, I appreciate why you may be wanting to seek out film work. Good luck with the search!

Reply #2

Posted : 03/04/10

leeravitz
1543 posts
last on: 5 hours
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I think Helen has called that one right. Virtually all agents, big or small, are in the industry to try and make money and the last area they wish to specialise in is independent film, as it never has any budget behind it.

There are certainly some *casting directors* who specialise in casting eclectic and unusual film subject, matter (mainly as a personal choice - many casting directors specialise, if they are competent enough to make decent money for themselves, in casting only the types of project that interest them, and many are cultured and aesthetically inclined enough to want to devote their career to 'art house' and 'indy' type creativity, rather than mainstream TV and film), but you will have to source these casting directors for yourself (a good place to start is analysing the credits and interests demonstrated by those CD's who are members of the Casting Directors Guild of Great Britain - you can easily google the website).

Agents invariably prioritise what earns money, however, and this tends to mean that commercials, mainstream television and bit parts in highly commercial movies come top of their wish list for you as an actor.

It also appears to be true to me that film fails to be a sector of significant industry in this country (I do a fair amount of my work in film, and have a great love for working on screen, so don't say this out of any prejudice, but, rather, from regret). In essence, the British 'film industry' remains small and independently subsidised (for the most part), even at its highest levels, and most significant screen projects involving British talent are either TV shows that are increasingly moving towards a cinematic style of presentation, or joint co-productions with US, European etc. monetary backing. There just appears to be very little money in the film industry in this country full stop, and it remains rare for a British actor (unless they go to Hollywood, and only then, generally on the strength of a successful career and the building of a reputation in more 'domestic' work in the UK) to have a glittering career in film. Most of the actors who remain highly rated in this country continue to make their name in either theatre or television (which is, to be honest, how it has been since about the 50's!), although I think the balance of influence has changed: where once you would have learned your trade in the theatre and then transfered to TV if you were lucky enough, now it tends to be TV actors who are allowed the plum theatrical roles in order to get bums on seats. But the principle is not that different, really. A David Tennant is, in some sense, the same sort of specialist a Laurence Olivier was, and neither attained reputation primarily through film acting.

To get back to the independent sector, though: it remains a thriving, if underwhelmingly regarded, aspect of film making in this country, and my experience is that it genuinely *is* a very small world, in which the majority of writers, crew and performers do tend to know, pool resources with and work with each other on many projects on a fairly regular basis. In many ways, to start 'getting somewhere' in independent film your best bet is simply to seek out good casting requests and try and secure yourself gigs on your own merit; after you have done a few films, you may start to get a reputation amongst certain people as a 'go to' actor (particularly if you have certain special skills) and find that you start generating regular offers to appear in films of one stripe or another. I don't think any agent will be able to parallel this need to network for you; for a start, the vast majority of them have no knowledge of, or contact with, independent filmmakers who tend to operate on an 'ad hoc' basis, rather than establishing huge, recognisable corporate structures that an agent will be familiar with - rather, they are all working from tiny production offices in the middle of Soho, and you will do just as well to source the work yourself. Always try and research companies on the web, track down their material on stream etc. because there are reputable companies...and those who claim to be reputable companies, and, in fact, are wannabes, and you have no interest in working with the latter. But, I guarantee, decent projects are out there, if you keep your eyes open for them. The major drawback with working in the indy film sector, which goes back to the initial point, is that there is rarely any solid money in it, for anyone, at any point. Not only does this mean that you tend to be left out of pocket while working (though probably not as badly during a quick and well organised shoot, as you would be pursuing a lengthy rehearsal period for profit share theatre!), but if funding falls through, or costs mount at any point, a shoot may have to be suddenly abandoned. Many also is the indy film that is made in expectation that it will secure a distributor that never comes. And, even if a distributor takes an interest, there is no guarantee that the film will sell. If you are lucky enough to come on board a film which has a distribution deal in place, and full funding behind it, then you are made for the duration of the shoot and afterwards - though this will be tending already to be moving out of the 'indy' or 'guerilla' sector, where the essence is that the budget is sparse, the profit unlikely and the film being made without backing from any major studios or broadcasters.

Still and all, as an actor who is probably in more demand on screen than in any other medium, I appreciate why you may be wanting to seek out film work. Good luck with the search!

	Reply #3
Posted : 04/04/10
tombutcher 13 posts last on: 04/02/12 send private reply	Wow! You really know yuor stuff!! Thanks to both of you for the useful input.

	Reply #4
Posted : 04/04/10
anonymous	Hello Tom! Firstly, it can be quite hard to secure an agent so anyone (reputable!) who expresses an interest in meeting should be greeted with enthusiasm (and gratitude!). And Lee is very wise in pointing out that agents are there to earn a lving, both for you and themselves, so will want to access well-paid, mainstream jobs in commercials, TV and film. Having said that, my second point is that both independent films I have made were not through an agent as, at the time, I didn't have one! I was approached by the producer through a listings website for the first film and they subsequently asked me to play another role in their second film (backing up Lee's point about sticking with crew and cast you know and trust). They paid me generously (including full travel expenses - I'm just outside London - and all food) and promptly and were lovely to work with. Scouting for good independent films yourself might be more fruitful than trying to find an agent that only deals in indie films as I've never come across one. Site's like Castnet sometimes have castings for the bigger budget indie's but the registration fees are so high and the casting's get "oversubscribed" so quickly I'm not sure it's entirely worth the membership. Good luck with it all, though - hope you find something suitable soon :)

Reply #4

Posted : 04/04/10

anonymous

Hello Tom! Firstly, it can be quite hard to secure an agent so anyone (reputable!) who expresses an interest in meeting should be greeted with enthusiasm (and gratitude!). And Lee is very wise in pointing out that agents are there to earn a lving, both for you and themselves, so will want to access well-paid, mainstream jobs in commercials, TV and film. Having said that, my second point is that both independent films I have made were not through an agent as, at the time, I didn't have one! I was approached by the producer through a listings website for the first film and they subsequently asked me to play another role in their second film (backing up Lee's point about sticking with crew and cast you know and trust). They paid me generously (including full travel expenses - I'm just outside London - and all food) and promptly and were lovely to work with. Scouting for good independent films yourself might be more fruitful than trying to find an agent that only deals in indie films as I've never come across one. Site's like Castnet sometimes have castings for the bigger budget indie's but the registration fees are so high and the casting's get "oversubscribed" so quickly I'm not sure it's entirely worth the membership. Good luck with it all, though - hope you find something suitable soon :)

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