How to Have the Best Relationship with Your Rep

May 17, 2019 | Cat Elliott

The relationship between an actor and his or her talent rep is just like any other: both parties have to work to establish and maintain it. But many actors feel unsure of how to foster the best possible relationship with their agents and managers. If you fall into that camp, don’t fret about ending up with a messy breakup on your hands. Two reps—an agent and a talent manager—took time from their busy schedules to share advice on how you can keep “going steady” with your rep.
 
Cunningham Escott Slevin Doherty (CESD) Talent Agency
David Ziff – Senior VP & On-Camera Commercials Agent
“Clients have to trust their agents. That’s number one. You’ve got to trust that your agent submitted you for the role and will follow up to get the audition time. Sometimes it’s impossible, and they can’t get you the time. In those cases, you have to trust that they did their very best. And to have a good relationship with your rep, follow directions. When we ask you to take new pictures, please take new pictures. Always let us know when you’re booking out.
Don’t come up with bad reasons for not going to auditions. I hear stuff like, ‘I don’t want to fight traffic at five o’clock and go to Santa Monica on a Friday afternoon.’ You’d be surprised at some of the excuses I hear. Just go to your auditions. I’ve never met more people that have had food poisoning in my life. We’ve had clients that have had it three or four times. It’s amazing. They must weigh about seven pounds at this point. Also, confirm your auditions. This is huge. It makes our job very difficult when you don’t. The last main thing is that you be prepared and professional. It’s a competitive world out there, and you need to be ready.”
 
Rothman / Andrés Entertainment
Paulo Andrés – Partner & Manager
“The most important thing that needs to be developed is trust. Clients need to believe me when I say I’m working as hard as I possibly can, and I need to believe that the client will be prepared when they walk into the audition room. Communication is also essential. When the client and I stay in close contact with one another, we get to really know each other and better understand how we work together. And timeliness is important. I shouldn’t be chasing after a client to get back to me with details that will ultimately benefit them, such as clarification on special skills so that I can get them an appointment.
If you want to have a good relationship with your rep, don’t approach acting like it’s some part-time artistic hobby. Treat it like what it is: a full-time business. Don’t go with your acting friends’ advice instead of listening to your manager. In a business, you turn to your business partners and listen to them about how you want to run your company, which in this case is called ‘acting.’ Actors need to be ready for every aspect of the business. I find that a lot of actors aren’t ready because they don’t have enough money, they can’t get off work, they can’t memorize lines quickly enough, etc. You need to figure out anything holding you back. Most of my clients are referral-based, and by the time an actor comes and sits on my couch for an interview, I presume that he or she is ready to go.”
Both Ziff and Andrés stress the importance of actors trusting and listening to their rep as well as participating in good communication. These are all qualities found in a healthy, committed relationship. And while it may not be a good idea to actually date your rep, if you follow these guidelines, the two of you can enjoy a long, happy and mutually beneficial future together.
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