Questions to Ask an Agent (or Manager) in a Meeting

Ask how they work (who submits and who pitches you, how they like to communicate), how they see you, who on their list shares your type, and what the contract and commission are. Expect them to ask where you are from, how you got into acting and what you want to do; mostly they are checking you are reliable and easy to work with. We drew on 27 answers and classes from our library.

What should you do before the meeting?

Study their client list, because half your questions come from it. Kym Jackson looks at the individual agent's clients on IMDbPro: are the top half booking current TV and studio work, and how many people on the list look like you? With an agent, three or four others in your type isn't a deal-breaker; with a manager she wants one or two at most. She also aims to land between a quarter and halfway down the list, so you're neither forgotten at the bottom nor out of their depth at the top.

Bring a printed headshot and resume, a list of casting directors who know your work, and a flyer if you have a show or screening coming up. Kym suggests wearing something neutral, like jeans and a plain T-shirt, so they can picture you in any role. And if they reschedule once or twice, don't read anything into it: Kym says that's normal for busy reps.

What is the agent really looking for?

They've already seen your work, so the meeting is about you. Kym says the questions behind the questions are: is this person high maintenance, would I feel safe sending them to set, and do I like them? Agents care most about whether you can book and behave well in rooms; managers also ask whether they'd enjoy talking to you every week for years.

Manager Chris Roe adds what he responds to: people being real. Tell him what you've done for your craft and your vision for yourself, not that you're "the next" famous actor. He doesn't sign anyone based on follower count, though how you conduct yourself online does matter, and union status isn't a barrier: most actors start non-union.

What questions will an agent ask you?

Expect simple, personal ones. Kym lists the usual openers: where are you from, how did you get into acting, and what do you want to act in? They'll have scanned your resume, so don't recite credits. Prepare a short, honest answer about your type and the kind of work you want, and let them lead, because you're in their space.

Questions to ask about them

Kym's advice is to ask questions as a human, not an interviewer. Good ones:

• How did you get into being an agent? Did you start out as an actor?
• What do you love about the job?
• Who on your list is closest to my type, and how would you pitch us differently?
• Which casting offices do you work with most?

The last two check your client-list research without sounding like an audit.

Questions to ask about how they work

Kym suggests asking how the office runs. Useful questions:

• Who submits me on casting sites, and who pitches me directly to casting? (Kym separates the two: submitting is clicking a name next to a role; pitching is a personal email or call, and it takes far more of their time.)
• Are you more phone or email people? Is texting OK?
• When is it fine to contact you, and how often would you like updates? Chris Roe says every rep is different, so ask.
• Would a short pitch blurb from me help when you submit me? Kym writes one of about 200 to 250 words and updates it with new credits.
• Could I see a submission report now and then? Kym recommends asking positively, about once a year.

Questions to ask about how they see you

• What roles and projects would you pitch me for first?
• Is anything missing from my materials: headshots, footage, profiles?
• Where do you see me in two years?

Their answers tell you whether they see the same actor you do. New headshots are a normal request, but SAG-AFTRA says agents may not require a specific photographer.

Questions to ask about the contract and money

• Are you SAG-AFTRA franchised? Check the union's franchised agents list too.
• What is your commission? As of November 2026, SAG-AFTRA says a franchised agent can charge no more than 10%. Kym's rule for managers: 10% is standard, 15% for developmental managers, ideally with a clause dropping it to 10% once you've earned a set amount.
• How long is the contract, and how do I get out? Kym prefers one or two years with a clear exit, never three.
• Is it exclusive to this state or the whole country? Kym suggests asking for state-specific exclusivity so you can sign with agents in other markets.
• What do you commission? Agents in your region usually commission jobs you book yourself there, Kym says, while a manager commissions everything. A new rep shouldn't commission residuals from jobs you did before you signed.

Our guide to acting agent contracts covers the detail. This is general information; ask a lawyer to review your contract.

Red flags in an agent meeting

• Any fee to sign. SAG-AFTRA says agents may not charge up-front fees of any kind.
• Pressure to sign before you have had time to think, or to use their photographer or class.
• A list with no recent bookings, or several actors who could play your exact roles.
• A manager asking for 20%. Kym's answer is a firm no.

Our guide on how to tell if a talent agency is legit has the full checks.

What happens after the meeting?

You don't have to decide in the room. Kym says it's fine to take time to think, and equally fine to say yes on the spot if you love them. Chris Roe says you'll usually know quickly: there's real chemistry, they listen to you, and you listen to them, because they're the experts you came to.

Once you sign, make their job easy: send your materials, your pitch blurb and your list of casting relationships. Kym suggests a short update email every two to three weeks for an agent, fact-based and brief, a little more often and more conversational with a manager.

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All rates current from sagaftra.org as of 9 November 2026.