Agencies HELP

[BWilson12]

Hi all I am so confused.

So we are looking for agencies. I have been part of so many agencies in my short time, NGL I have managed to book more myself than an agency has, BUT I still want to be represented professionally.

I have been with some whom we won't name by none have worked for us!!! It's not be bad mouthing them they just haven't worked for us.

We were doing some research on new agencies that have busy actors, established actors and Agencies you can trust. We would like an agency that's very kind and professional and obviously happy to answer any sort of queries we have, including submitting us for lots of work and although none can guarantee work I at least want to be in contact with the agent and get castings.

We have withered it down to a few agencies:

• Mark Jermin Management- seems to have a VERY busy client base, based in Wales but obviously have no experience with them so any advice would be fantastic. Their Kids have featured on John Lewis, ITV, BBC, to name a few.

• TTa Kids, they have a adult and children so siblings could apply for the Kids division

• Curtis Brown- seems to be top in the UK! But their clients are VERY busy. Any advice would be spectacular.

• Allen and Abel- they have a very small client base, but their actors are with ITV, BBC, Sky and so much more.

• Sylvia Young Agency - heard this was a VERY old and VERY established but that might mean they'd re established and get work, I dunno!?

• Kitsch Talent - Don't know anything about this agency but their clients have been on the BBC, YT, Lego etc any advice would be fantastic on this... It's a boutique so seems to be quite small, which might make it harder to get in. Their client base doesn't seem to be as busy as TTA or Mark Jermin, but any advice would be amazing.

• Bondi Talent or Paris Talent Agency, both seem very good and their kids have a really large client base.

We are just really lost which one to apply for... I mean surely they are all good if they are on Spotlight or even open and their kids must get work, but I just wondering if anyone had any personal experience with MJ, Kitsch, TTA, Bondi or Paris Talent Agency so I can make some decisions and start applying.

Agencies are hard for us to choose. So many have let us down! Looking for some great agencies!!!

Hi @BWilson12, I'm assuming you're a parent seeking a new agency for your child? It wasn't entirely clear from your post.

How old is your child, and what sort of work are they aiming for - screen, commercial, MT? Do they have credits already?

I'd suggest first thinking about why previous agencies haven't been a good fit for you. Were they too large (so had too many clients of similar casting type all going for the same roles)? If so that might give you some guidance about what size agency to apply to.

Did they not submit your DC for roles? If not, why not?

Or did you have plenty of castings but very few bookings? The industry has been really tough going since Covid, and the writers'/SAG strikes last year slowed down recovery even more. There just aren't the same number of child castings around that there were pre-Covid, and so the competition for each role is much fiercer.

Regarding the agencies you've mentioned, Mark Jermin, TTA and Sylvia's are all large agencies, so your DC is unlikely to be the only one of their casting type on the books. Agents are often restricted in the number of clients they are allowed to submit for castings, so internal competition is an important factor. An agency with hundreds of clients is generally going to look busier than a boutique agency, just from sheer weight of numbers.

My DS was with Sylvia's for a while when he was younger. They're a good agency, and they do get some castings that don't go out to other agents, simply because a casting director knows they can fill roles from the SYA books without having to go through a wider casting process. SYA does a LOT of "bread and butter" voice work (educational voiceovers, animation, etc), so your DC would need to be happy with doing that kind of work. There are also some castings that only go to the kids in the full-time school (e.g. when casting a group of kids for an advert), again because the audition process is more efficient.

Allen & Abel is a good boutique kids agency, and Bondi seems OK too. Kitsch is newer and I don't know much about it. Paris Talent has more of a modelling/commercial focus, which may be what you're looking for.

Curtis Brown is one of the top UK agencies, and acting talent alone isn't enough to getting onto their books. To be signed by an agency like Curtis Brown, a child needs to have at least one seriously big screen credit (i.e. a lead or sizeable supporting role in a mainstream TV series or feature film). This is because a big credit makes an actor attractive to productions. So kids repped by Curtis Brown do get great roles, but that isn't just because they're with Curtis Brown - it's because they already have the sort of CV that makes production more interested in casting them (and Curtis Brown knows that, so offered representation). It's the Catch-22 of the industry - it's much easier to land a great role with a top agent, but a top agent won't sign you until you've landed a great role.

Hi thanks.

We have credits already but all because we got them ourselves not because we were with an agency. They have been on TV, and Radio so credits aren't a problem, BUT not bug Productions so Curtis Brown is now out of the Question.

So I am guessing it would be wise to consider the big ones, but be aware that they are bigger and would have competition? Or would it be better to scrap the big ones and focus on the littlest ones. I dunno someone told me boutique agencies don't have connections in the industry and will therefore struggle to get the kids say ITV, BBC and Channel 5 credits!? Allen and Abel books are closed ATM but we will wait till they are open and consider them.

Any more advice would be fantastic! Thanks so much for your fabulous response so far!

Now I am not the best person to ask but there are so many agencies and then there are the boutique , small ones and then leading ones.

I don't understand this industry a lot, but what I have deducted from looking at their websites and their social medias is this.

Well the small agencies you mentioned Kitsch and Allen and Abel, Allen and Abel is LEADING on Boutique Talent Management. Kitsch I don't know much about It, looking at it's website it's clients appear as regulars on TV and are on the TV for adverts, their social media presence isn't the best but that's not to say it's not a good agency, because by the looks of it's clients are very busy and always auditioning, as with Allen and Abel they are always booking people for big campaigns and TV shows.

Mark Jermin, TTA and Paris Kids are BIG agencies BUT they do work with lots of BIG clients the BBC, ITV, and a movie. These do get clients work. They also train clients too, Mark Jermin and TTA does just that which might be worth looking into.

All in all, it would be helpful if someone on this forum knew what they were talking about, who knew the industry and was able to give some insight onto these agencies! I know for one the leading one is TTA but of course a bit of insight would be helpful for you!

My best piece of advice is the get right out of the idea that a supposed ‘top’ agency will equal work. The industry does not work like that. There are reputable agencies and there are scams, but once you are on the reputable side, there are pros and cons to every agency. If no one was getting work, they wouldn’t have a business left! The communication and relationship you and your child will have with the agent makes it or breaks it, so it’s never a case of ‘this is the best agency, no matter who you are’.

Take your research time within instead of without. What are you looking for in your agent and what have you been disappointed with thus far?

Does your child want to work on stage/screen/musical theatre/voiceovers/stills/commercials/all of the above?

What is your current self tape game? If an agent threw you an important tape Monday in the middle of the school day, could you turn it around by Wednesday with something quality? By Tuesday?

Are you using your time between jobs to train well? Can you see progress and development coming from that training?

What sort of age are we looking at here? Booking jobs for a toddler very different to a 9 year old very different to a 16 year old.

Where are you terms of what you could be asked for to apply? Do you have appropriate current photos for your application? Do you have a monologue and/or song and can you DC converse well with an agent or casting director without your help?

From there, it’s a case of applying and if you get asked to interview, remember the interview is a two way street. Don’t sign with the first place that gives you a yes if they don’t feel like the hell yes answer. You also don’t have to say yes right that moment if you are offered a place in person. You are well within your rights to say you want to discuss with your family and then decide. (Anyone who questions that would be holding a giant red flag in my opinion!)

As far as the agencies you mention, we are not with any of them but we have close friends with about half. All working and happy with their representation. But we are with someone who isn’t on your list and happy and busy too. When someone sees your kid and can really show them how you can work together to create a plan to get their best chance at achieving their goals, then you have the agent who will work for you.

Remember most people who are represented never get a job. Remember the performer gets the job in the room - the agent merely introduces them at the door.

Good luck in your quest!

All in all, it would be helpful if someone on this forum knew what they were talking about, who knew the industry and was able to give some insight onto these agencies!

I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt, @Finntheegg , and assume you hadn't read my reply when you posted this. My DS has been in the industry for 8 years from the age of 8. In that time we've been with 4 different agencies, and know children with direct experience of many more. We have first-hand experience of one of the agencies the OP mentioned, and I've already given the OP some insight into that agency. My DS has worked in professional theatre productions including 3 West End shows, a TV series, voiceovers and TVCs. I have a lot of friends with children in the industry, including some at high-ranking agencies. I'm very confident that I know what I'm talking about, thanks.

You, on the other hand, have posted some misinformation that isn't terribly helpful for the OP.

Mark Jermin, TTA and Paris Kids are BIG agencies BUT they do work with lots of BIG clients the BBC, ITV, and a movie. These do get clients work.

No agency "gets clients work". The job of an agency is to get clients auditions. If a client is successful at audition and books a job, the agency then advocates for the best deal/contract for their client and handles any red tape.

I know for one the leading one is TTA.

No. The leading agency in the list that the OP posted is Curtis Brown. Of the remainder, I would say that Sylvia Young has the best reputation within the industry as a kids agency.

I don't understand this industry a lot, but what I have deducted from looking at their websites and their social medias is this.

Always take agency social media with a grain of salt. When you actually have access to enough industry information to know what castings social media posts are referring to (for example, because your child or a friend's has just been asked to audition for the same role or project), it is not uncommon for a casting to be hyped up (especially by lower-tier agencies trying to raise their profile) and presented as rather grander than it actually is.

One of my children is with TTA and has had quite a few high-profile jobs through them.
Another of my children used to be with Kitsch and they were OK too. We are happier at their current agency though (Rebelnineteen) Lots of people are happy with Kitsch though!

Agree with everything @CatatonicLadybug says.

OP, the advice I'd give depends on your child's age. With an 8-year-old, I'd suggest going with a good children's agency. For a 14-year-old, it may be trickier as many agencies don't want to take teens until they're over licensing age (though if you already have credits, that should help). For an older child you might want to consider going with an agency that has an adult division so that you don't have to move again post-16 (though do check that transfer to the adult roster is automatic/common).

Absolutely not true that boutique kids' agencies don't have good industry links. Some that I would say definitely do have good links are Young Actors Agency, AM Kids and Ardent Talent (I'd also put Allen & Abel in this group). We have first-hand experience of one of these - happy to say more if you'd like to DM me. If you DC has a good CV, then Hero Talent might also be worth a try, but they only have a small roster and are very selective.

I did mention know nothing about this industry but I myself have been with an agency and have had mates at four different agencies myself!

Yes you have more experience than me so I respect your opinion too! Of course social media shouldn't be hyped up more than it is... It's social media I was simply pointing out some agencies have much better social media than some but that doesn't necessarily make them better than others.

Has anyone ever Heard of spotted talent? Btw

@BWilson12, I meant to add - would recommend looking at agencies who are members of the Agents of Young Performers Association (AYPA) and operate under the AYPA Code of Conduct. Several of the agencies mentioned on this thread are members.

@TheatreTaxi everything you have said it completely right it is about the performer getting the work and of course big agencies don't mean big jobs.

One thing I will say is the bugger agencies often have bigger clients end off. They are more reputable than say a TINY agency with no contacts.

My DC was with a boutique agency and we got next to none castings and we changed to one of the ones that's part of AYP and got auditions straight away and even some jobs. But it depends on what you want in an agency...

Boutiques are good because there is a small client base and that means that barely anyone is or looks the same. In a big agency you may be overlooked, but then again the big ones if you work hard you could get out forward for roles.

It's about what works for you not what works for others but it's always good to ask forums because there are lots of scammers out there.

Everything TheatreTaxi says is spot on.

The most important things here:

• How old are your children
• How tall are your children
• Do they have existing credits and if so what kind.

If your child is aged between 13 and 16, unless they have huge credits, have a very interesting/unique/quirky look AND are under 5ft tall and look young for age then you are not going to find it easy to find an agent as there is no work for this age group.

Existing credits - by credits I mean a contract in a West End show, named role in TV or Feature Film. Things like TVCs, amateur stage shows, modelling, SA (background) roles are not considered credits by agents.

Agencies like Curtis Brown, United, Independent - the ones with the household names on the roster - don't even bother applying unless you landed the child lead in Jurassic Park VI or a major TV production.

For children, the vast majority of childrens agencies will get access to the same castings (a few exceptions like SYA where they cast groups of kids).

So, your decision is whether you want a huge agency or a small one. If an agency can only submit a maximum of five 8-year-old blonde girls who can dance - is your child going to be one of those 5, or do they have 25 to pick from and at least 10 of those are going to be more attractive to a production because they already have experience?

If you want boutique, then in no particular order Allen & Abel, Ardent, Purple Giraffe, Daisy & Dukes, AM Kidz, Young Actors Agency are all very reputable and have some very successful clients.

Of the larger ones, SYA, TTA and Mark Jermin would be good picks.

Or do you actually just want to have fun doing every TV commercial casting where the world and his goldfish is asked to tape, and/or some SA work where you can have fun on a set and enjoy looking out for your child in the background of the next big movie? If so there are agencies that just cater for that.

(10 years experience in the industry, DD has West End and FF credits and has been with agencies listed here, and is now with a high tier adult agent. Many friends in the industry after 10 years so have heard all the good, the bad and the ugly on everything agent/casting/training along the way.)

In terms of communication, that is very much an individual thing.

Most agents are crazy busy and they prioritise children who are currently working, pitching for new projects, sorting licences, contracts etc and submitting for new jobs.

They tend not to have much time for hand-holding, or general chats about why you haven't had a tape for x or y, or for advising on your child's career (that is what training is for!)

Some children just are the right height at the right age with the right look and get asked to tape for everything, some children just never get asked to tape much at all. There is nothing an agent can do about this other than advise you if your headshots are wrong or your Spotlight profile not up to date.

Since we started doing this 10 years ago, the number of children has literally exploded. We would go to castings in London, they'd be seeing 15 kids for a role and we'd know half of them - now they will be asking 200 to tape for it.

As I am sure you know, you never get feedback, you never get a no thanks, and you only ever hear if you progress to the next stages and 99% of the time it's silence. You do have to just tape and forget and then if something does happen it's a nice surprise.

Thanks so much for your feedback. So I am guessing from your response it would be more better to apply to TTA than Kitsch?

@mintich thanks for your response. You said you had castings with TTA but not with Kitsch?

Yeh we aren't applying for the top ones we don't have the professional credits for it. @OhCrumbsWhereNow

I think from all the fantastic feedback we have withered it down to TTA, Young Actors Agency, Sylvia Young, Allen and Abel, Daisy and Dukes and Mark Jermin Management.

We also will consider Kitsch and Spotted too because they both look good and people have said they are OK. Spotted is one of the AYP so they might be better to go with more trusted and all. Has anyone ever been with Brown and Mills?

Btw when I said they don't get work I meant they don't have the industry contacts rather than they don't get work... Getting work is up to the performer and how well they audition rather than the agency

Ah @mintich so you have had experience with TTA and Kitsch like which ones better to apply for, one holds auditions I read and one is selective are they good if you have had experience with them?

Would be good to know before I apply to one only to find out, I wasted my time... A lot of Boutique Agencies are small but have pretty good reputations.

I was thinking of going with the list of reputable agencies that Backstage posts, so am also thinking about Mark Jermin or Sylvia, but it says you must be a attend one of their classes for them to go think about even taking you on.

So just keeping my options open.

Has anyone's heard of Pure Drama Management too, they seem good.

I would apply to all of them and see what happens.

You will generally only get a response if they are interested in seeing more - all of the agencies I suggested are highly selective.

Depending on age, you will need as a minimum a headshot, a taped song and a taped monologue for the application (smart phone is fine). Some of the agencies may ask you for a lot more than that, and some will want you to attend an in person audition day or 1-2-1 meeting.

As parents it’s worth knowing that until they’re 18, we’re being interviewed as much as the child is.

@Finntheegg Kitsch were fine and we did get castings but communication wasn't great imo and a bit impersonal. TTA on the other hand have great communication and it feels like the agents genuinely care about my kids.

A good list of potential agencies, @BWilson12.

Worth knowing that Daisy & Dukes opened their books in the New Year but have closed them again after auditioning and signing new clients, so you may not have much joy there applying there right now.

@mintich yes I heard they were a bit like that... They don't seem to even be an agency only one person works there? Like it is even a proper agency?

We will definitely think about TTA I heard good things about them so far!

Most boutique agencies are only 1 or 2 person operations.

Oh right I see! @OhCrumbsWhereNow

Wasn't aware!

I find all this agency stuff so confusing to navigate!!

I don't know which agency is best, boutique or big, I mean I am probably gonna go for Sylvia or MJ or something like that because I dunno for me the boutique agencies have been rubbish!

It will all depend on whether the agency decides to offer you representation.

They will only want to put you on the books if they feel they can get you work. It's not something where you are buying a service.

Hence why you want to apply for a wide range of agencies and then decide which you would like to go for from those who you are holding an offer from.

Both TTA and SYA run audition days, so that would give you a chance to ask questions and get a feel for them as well.

Btw, even really big name agencies often only have a few people working there. Places like Curtis Brown are more like a barrister's chambers with lots of tiny agencies under the one name, but only 1-2 people plus an assistant working in each one.

It's not like on TV where you've got 20 people in a huge open plan office!

@OhCrumbsWhereNow this advice is so good thanks. It's always good to get experienced people knowing what they are talking about!

I might just apply for those on the AYPA at least then you know they aren't scammers!

The big ones like Daisy and Dukes, forgive me if it's not big, and Mark Jermin I will enquire, but I think for MJ you have to buy their classes and then they see your talent. If your talented enough they will, I assume pencil you to join their agency. The others like smaller ones I probably have no chance but will give them a try!

It would help if you can say how old your children are and what kind of work you are looking for.

Within the AYPA there are agents who would be top of the list to apply to if you have a small 9 year old who can sing and dance and wants to do musical theatre (and you live within the M25), and completely different ones if you have an 11 year old that only wants to do screen acting.

@OhCrumbsWhereNow they are 9 and 19. Both want to do screen acting. The nearly 19 year old has been on TV before but not for acting only for public speaking on BBC .

We live close to London, actually right outside, so we aren't miles away.

They have been part of agencies since they were babies. But we have been at so many agencies that were scams it's left us not trusting anyone