A free, step-by-step guide for new actors in Los Angeles: headshots, Actors Access, Casting Networks, a resume even with no credits, your own website, researching SAG-AFTRA agencies, and submitting daily until you're represented. This is the exact path Anthony Mongiello Photography walks its own clients through, built from 18+ years photographing actors and helping them navigate agency representation. Read more about Anthony.
Agents and casting directors judge a submission in seconds, so start with professional acting headshots — not phone photos. Any experienced headshot photographer is acceptable for this step, though Anthony Mongiello Photography's Agency Guarantee package was built specifically to prepare new actors for agency submissions.
Create a profile on Actors Access, the industry-standard platform agents and casting directors use to discover new talent and review self-submissions for smaller productions.
Create a Casting Networks profile alongside Actors Access — most professional submissions are expected to include both, and it opens up an additional set of self-submission opportunities.
Put together a one-page acting resume listing your training, special skills, and physical stats. New actors with no on-camera credits yet can still build a resume that looks professional and casting-ready.
A personal acting website gives an agent one place to see your reel, résumé, and headshots together. Services such as ActorSite.io can build one for you automatically once you upload your résumé.
Use the SAG-AFTRA franchised agents list to find agencies that represent actors of your type and age range, then confirm each agency's current submission policy — email, online form, or otherwise — before reaching out.
Getting signed is a numbers game. Submit to five agencies a day with a short, personalized email until you land representation — consistency matters more than any single submission.
There's no fixed timeline — some actors sign with an agency within a few weeks of starting to submit, while others take several months of consistent daily outreach. The actors who get signed fastest usually have strong headshots, a complete Actors Access and Casting Networks profile, and submit to new agencies every single day rather than sending a handful of emails and waiting.
An agent is licensed to negotiate contracts and book auditions on your behalf, and is paid a standard commission set by SAG-AFTRA. A manager provides broader career guidance — image, branding, long-term strategy — but isn't licensed to negotiate deals the same way and typically charges a higher commission. Most working actors eventually have both, but an agent is the first and most essential relationship to build.
Not always, but it makes a major difference. Without an agent, you can still submit yourself directly on Actors Access and Casting Networks for many projects, and sites like Backstage list additional stage and independent opportunities. However, most of the largest studio, network, and commercial auditions are only sent to agencies, so an agent significantly expands the pool of auditions you're considered for.
SAG-AFTRA caps franchised talent agency commission at 10% of an actor's earnings on union jobs. Non-union commercial and print work commissions vary, but 10–20% is typical. Be cautious of any agency that asks you to pay them directly instead of taking a commission from booked work — that's a red flag for a scam.
Yes. Agencies regularly represent child actors, but a parent or guardian must be present at auditions and must sign all contracts and paperwork. Headshot sessions, resumes, and online profiles for a minor should always be created and managed by a parent or guardian.
No — you don't need to already be a SAG-AFTRA member to sign with a franchised talent agency. Most agents represent non-union actors and help build union eligibility (through routes like Taft-Hartley or background vouchers) as your career progresses. What matters more at the start is having professional materials — headshots, resume, reel, and a website — ready to submit.