To get an acting agent in LA, start where the door is widest: a commercial agent, or a smaller theatrical agency whose clients look like you a few steps ahead. Get your headshots, resume and a reel or strong self-tape ready, check the agency is licensed and SAG-AFTRA franchised, then pitch the individual agent. We asked 18 casting directors whether actors without agents can still submit.
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LA splits representation by type of work. Kym Jackson explains that a theatrical agent in LA means film and television, not stage, and that commercials usually sit with a separate agency, or at least a separate department with its own agents. Voice, print and stunts can each have their own agent too.
The usual rule is one agent per field per region; Kym says several LA theatrical agents at once is not generally done. Shaan Sharma adds that you don't have to sign "across the board" with one agency for everything. See commercial vs theatrical agents.
Not to start, but you will want one. Of the 18 casting directors we asked whether unrepresented actors can submit on their projects, none ruled it out. Rachel Sutton said some of her best finds are unrepresented, and Seth Yanklewitz said that if he wants an actor he will find a way. But most said it depends on whether they choose to open a role on Actors Access.
Agents see the full professional breakdowns, and casting decides role by role whether to share one with actors too. John Frank Levey told us he gets over 2,000 submissions for a four-line part, mostly through Breakdown Services. Kerry Barden's office reviews agent and manager submissions first. Even Rachel Sutton tells unrepresented actors to get an agent.
For most new LA actors, yes. Kym calls a commercial agent the first and easiest agent to get, and the most open to non-union actors. In her experience many don't need a reel or credits: they judge your headshot, a short interview and a mock commercial audition, sometimes at an open day.
Our commercial agents in LA page lists the Los Angeles agencies with a commercial department, each linked to its own site so you can read its submissions policy. Members can also download our Los Angeles Commercial Agents 2026 list from the representation hub, which names 116 commercial agents across 59 agencies.
Chris Roe likes good boutique agencies; at a large agency that represents the biggest names, he says, it is easy to be forgotten. If you are already lost in the shuffle, talk to your team, then start looking if nothing changes within two or three months.
Kym's way into the big companies: a newer agent there may still take development clients. Whatever the size, she aims to sit roughly 20 to 50% of the way down an agent's client list.
When your materials show who you are. Chris Roe told us he would consider representing an actor off a good self-tape if they have no reel yet. He isn't opposed to non-union actors, and follower counts don't sway him; how you conduct yourself does.
Moving from overseas? Jess Orcsik says whether to come before you have credits depends on your visa. See moving to LA as an actor.
LA has hundreds of agencies, so filter hard. Kym's rule of thumb: three or four others of your look on an agency's roster can work, but more and you may not be the one they pitch. Anthony Brandon Wong notes that some LA agencies specialise, for example in Asian talent; he prefers a varied roster with less competition for his type.
SAS members can download our Los Angeles Acting Agents list from the representation hub: 566 named film and TV agents across 270 agencies, with their published submission policies. Research every agent on IMDbPro before you write; our how to get an acting agent guide explains what to look for.
Write to a person. Chris Roe reads every cold email and has signed clients who found him by looking up who represented actors they liked. What lands is being real about who you are and what you've done for your craft, not calling yourself the next big star.
Showcases are another route: Chris goes to two or three a year and has signed people from them. Ajarae Coleman's rule is never to corner an agent afterwards; follow up the way they prefer. Use our pitch template for the email.
Two checks. California law says no one may run a talent agency without a licence from the Labor Commissioner, and the licence number must appear in its advertising; you can look agencies up in the Labor Commissioner's licence search. Then check SAG-AFTRA's franchised agents list, which you can filter by Local.
As of November 2026, SAG-AFTRA's agent FAQ says members must use franchised agents, who may not charge more than 10% commission or any up-front fees. This is general information, not legal advice; see how to spot a fake agency.
You need US work papers and a way to get yourself to auditions and bookings at your own cost; Kym warns that turning down a role because you can't get there burns relationships. She calls LA a free-for-all, with many independent films reachable without representation, while network and studio work usually means climbing from co-star to guest star to recurring over years. LA isn't the only answer: compare acting agents in Atlanta and acting agents in New York.
Get your headshots, resume and a reel or strong self-tape ready, shortlist licensed, SAG-AFTRA franchised agencies whose clients look like you a few steps ahead, and send each individual agent a short, personal pitch. Many actors start with a commercial agent.
Yes. Kym Jackson says commercial agents are the easiest first agents and often don't need a reel, and Chris Roe told us he would consider an actor off a good self-tape.
Not always. None of the 18 casting directors we asked ruled out unrepresented actors, but most roles reach them through agents, and actors only see the breakdowns casting chooses to share on Actors Access.
Usually commercial. In LA, theatrical means film and TV, and Kym Jackson calls a commercial agent the first and easiest agent to get, especially for non-union actors.
Legitimate ones don't. SAG-AFTRA says franchised agents may not charge up-front fees of any kind or more than 10% commission, and California requires talent agencies to be licensed by the Labor Commissioner.
Once your LA shortlist is ready, the pitch is what gets your reel watched. Download Your Free Agent Pitch Guide before you send your first email.
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