Do you have a manager, agent or representative who helps you sign or close deals? Why or why not? If you do have one, how did you find them and how did you know they were the right one for you? These are some of the questions we asked some very talented folks from the community and we’ve shared their responses below.

Katy Heavens

I moved to New York three years ago. I had two tiny babies, a husband with a job offer, and a presidential proclamation in my passport allowing us to move – despite the covid travel ban. It was November, it was cold and dark and everyone was wearing masks. The combination of my British accent and a covid mask made communication slow and laboured. We had a rental house with no furniture, and it would be months before our personal items would be delivered, as the ports were all backed up. Read more>>

Phoebe Pearl

I currently have a wonderful team – a manager across the board, a theatrical agent and a commercial agent. I met my theatrical agent through my manager and let me tell you, she’s the best agent I’ve ever had. First off, my manager is the most supportive and fully invested rep I’ve ever had the privilege of signing with. She believes in every single one of her clients and she expects 100% from us because she gives 100%. She thought I would be a good fit with an agent she works with a ton and so far, she’s been right. My agent also works her butt off to get me opportunities but more importantly, she has clout with casting directors. It doesn’t matter how much your rep submits or pitches you. Read more>>

Jo Beth Wharton

This is a story of caution concerning agents, or people calling themselves agents. I received an email from a woman who stated that she was an art agent working for a gallery out of Manhattan. She wrote that she loved my work, and wanted to speak to me on the phone to discuss representation. We had a conversation where this person told me that she had clients in Paris that were extremely interested in my collages, and that I could work with international galleries to expose my work. I did my research, and it seemed as though this was a legitimate New York gallery. I paid two thousand dollars for two-years of representation. Read more>>

Mabel Thomas

After high school, I moved to Atlanta and applied to every SAG-franchised agent I could find. Eventually, I signed with Azuree Talent Agency (which has since surrendered its SAG status). They promised big opportunities, cross-country auditions, and that they saw huge potential in me. I was thrilled. I signed the contract. Hell yes, agent acquired! Read more>>

Trevor Knight

Before I was a model and actor, I was a real estate agent who never thought of becoming a model or actor in this lifetime. I was once asked at a real estate seminar by the instructor “if I gave you 10 billion dollars, is this the field you would stay in and if not what would your dream job be if money wasn’t an issue” and my response was “no, I’d be an actor”! That night I applied to a few background character roles on a casting website. I didn’t get the job, but about a week later I was contacted by an agency who ended up signing me shortly after. I couldn’t believe in just a week my entire life changed, I went from a real estate agent, unsure if this is really the career for me to a brand new career as a model and actor and new horizons in front of me. Read more>>