How Do I Become an Actors' Rep?

An actors' rep helps actors and actresses land jobs. Related knowledge and experience in the entertainment business are usually required for this career, and you may seek them by earning a related degree and then securing an internship followed by a job as an assistant. Once you are ready to represent talent, you may do so as an employee or independent businessperson.

You don't have to have a college degree to become an actors' rep, but earning one may help you build skills and gain knowledge important in this career. Likewise, some clients may be impressed by your degree and be more interested in hiring you. Among the degree majors you might consider are those in entertainment or contract law. A business degree might prove appropriate for this career as well. You might even consider earning an acting degree to gain knowledge of this field from the perspective of an artist.

Actors' reps need to get various types of experience that help them prepare for this job. Some may begin this career after working as lawyers while others have worked as actors themselves. You can also gain related experience through an internship. Your college may help you locate an internship opportunity, but you can also look for advertised opportunities in entertainment-related publications and online. In addition, you might try calling acting agencies to ask for an internship opportunity.

Often, interns do not have the opportunity to work independently with actors, producers, or directors. As such, you may spend a good deal of time on clerical tasks or running errands as you work to become an actors' rep. You can learn how actors' reps work, however, by observing them in action. You might also develop entertainment field contacts through an internship. For example, if you answer calls from producers or even just relay messages to them, they might remember your name when you strike out on your own.

After you’ve completed an internship, you may further build your entertainment business knowledge by applying for a job as an assistant to an actors' rep or to a group of reps at a talent agency. An assistant's job can help you build a list of contacts you can use once you become an actors' rep. In time, the company might even promote you and allow you to start representing actors. If not, this type of position can provide the work history needed to get a job with an agency.

Alternatively, you can choose to strike out as an independent representative when you feel that your knowledge of the business is sufficient. In such a case, you will likely need a business license and a location from which to meet with potential clients. You will also need a solid plan for attracting clients and a contract template to use with actors and actresses.

In some jurisdictions, actors' reps also need licensing as talent agents. Licensing requirements vary from place to place but often include providing character references, sharing a list of client fees, and paying a bond. In some places, you might even have to submit to fingerprinting when you want to become an actors' rep.