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Dear John

Finding a decent agent

First published 9th September 2004

Question:
I have just graduated from drama school and am looking for an agent. However, most of the professionals I know seem to be constantly moaning about their agents. What chance have I got of finding a decent one?

Answer:
On the day that husbands and wives stop moaning about each other and parents stop moaning about their kids (and vice versa), it may well be that performers stop moaning about their agents too - but think of all the wonderful Hamlet cartoons we would miss out on!

Until that day it is the nature of the symbiotic performer/agent relationship that things will not always be perfect. Most agents I know are as committed to doing a good job - and as embarassed by those less committed than themselves - as performers are. On your behalf, I asked Debi Allen at RDF, one of the best regarded agents I know, what she would look for in an agent if she was a performer. Here is Debi's response:

"If I were an act looking for an agent, I would firstly want someone who I knew was a genuine fan of my work. Someone who actually respected what I did and thought I was unique. Someone truly believing in you is more important than anything else.

"Secondly, I would want someone who wasn't jaded, that loved the business and still went out regularly to theatre and television recordings and film screenings etc.

"Thirdly, I would want someone who didn't have too many clients, who knew who I was when I rang up and who also seemed pleased to talk to me."

Alas, Debi herself is not looking for new acts at present. But other such agents do exist and if you apply determination and common sense, you will find them. In the meantime don't use not having an agent as an excuse not to promote yourself - the more work you can generate through your own efforts, the more chance that the type of agent you are looking for will find you.