Is Your Work “Agent-Ready”?

Hollywood is full of writers, producers, directors, and actors all trying to land representation. The competition can feel so fierce that many misguided newbies rush to get their work in front of reps the second they arrive in Hollywood. 

But in order for your script, headshot, or demo reel to rise above hundreds, sometimes thousands, of submissions you have to make sure what you’re presenting to agents and managers is as buttoned up and blazing hot as it can be. 

Although you can’t control how reps will respond to your work, there are some things you can do to slant the odds in your favor. Here are 3 ways to tell if your creative work is “agent/manager ready”:

1. Make sure your work is the best it can be.

Good work can be overlooked, but great work rarely is. Which means do everything in your power to ensure your materials are the best they can be before sending them out. If you’re submitting a screenplay, check the formatting, spelling, grammar, and above all - the strength of the story! Is it undeniably compelling? Does your unique voice shine through? If you’re sending out a demo reel, make sure the sound and picture quality are fantastic. If you’re submitting headshots, do they look like you? Or do you need to invest in new ones? When reviewing your materials it’s important to be honest with yourself - if your script, demo reel, and/or headshots aren’t blazing hot, hold off until they are. As much as it can be an ego bruise to accept you’re just not ready to go out to reps, it’s better to take the time to make your submission materials incredible than waste your only shot at a great first impression.

2. Get feedback from industry professionals.

Before sending your work to potential agents/managers, go through your contacts and find a junior-level industry professional who is willing to give your work an honest critique. Assistants can be a great go-to for this. If you know someone who’s an assistant to a producer, executive, editor, or casting director - reach out, and ask (very nicely) for their help (just be sure to let the assistant know you are not looking to be hired, you just want their honest feedback to improve your work). If you don’t have access to an assistant or another junior level professional, take a class taught by an industry professional. A good teacher who works in the industry can give you experienced feedback on whether you’re ready to go out to reps. PRO TIP: There are a lot of inexperienced people passing themselves off as “industry consultants” these days. Make sure to vet online classes and teachers before signing up or spending any money (check out IMDb and do a quick Google search to make sure they have the expertise they claim). 

3. Have a body of work to sell.

A common question from an interested agent/manager is, “This is good, but what else do you have?” Make sure you have that, “something else” ready to go. If you’re a writer, you need more than one sample. If you’re a director you need more than one short film. If you’re an actor you need more than one or two small roles on your resume. Every manager/agent likes a sure bet. The more material you have to show (that’s all undeniably great), the more confidence a rep will have that you can produce saleable work again and again.

What are your tips and tricks for making sure your work is agent/manager ready? Let me know @CaroleKirsch!

For more industry info and tips check out these additional resources:

For the ultimate guide to pitching a TV show that sells, check out my e-book, The Ultimate Guide to a Killer Pitch

To learn how to create your “personal logline” read my free e-book, Tell Your Story in 60 Seconds.

For my in-depth video course on breaking into the business go to: Carole Kirschner’s Hollywood Boot Camp.

And you can find my book, Hollywood Game Plan on Amazon or at Michael Wiese Productions (MWP).