Ambassador Talent Actor Submissions Chicago

Ambassador Talent Agents Inc. has been around since 1984 and has become a leading force in the Entertainment Industry ever since. Ambassador Is a SAG and AFTRA affiliated agency has an impeccable reputation with clients and Talent alike.

Ambassador specializes in film, television, industrials, commercials, theatre, voice-over, print, runway modeling, and promotional events. Ambassador Talent is the most respected full service agency in Chicago

Ambassador Talent is a MAIL submission only company.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND E-MAIL Submissions. No personal deliveries.

Submission can be sent to:

Ambassador Talent Agents inc.
333 N. Michigan ave. Suite 910
Chicago IL 60601
attn: New Talent

Please send A cover letter with attached Headshot and Resume. For babies snapshots are fine, but please include stats and date of picture and date of birth on a label on the back.

It will take about 4-6 weeks to get a response from the agency.

Baron Entertainment Actor Submissions

Baron Entertainment, Inc. is a fully-licensed Los Angeles/Hollywood Talent Agency franchised by both SAG and AFTRA, with a San Diego branch and Baron Babies division. The company represents talented actors and actresses for motion pictures, television and commercials, and modeling. Baron Entertainment has become a powerhouse in the industry. Baron Entertainment places a high value on the relationship between client and agent, encouraging clients to stay in close contact. This allows submissions to be based on the personality behind the headshot and results in a high booking percentage as well as a trusting relationship between Casting Directors and Agency. Baron Entertainment accepts photos and resumes by regular mail only at the following address. They also attend actor showcases and accept showcase invitations.

To submit yourself to the Los Angeles division, mail your materials to:

Baron Entertainment
13848 Ventura Blvd. Suite A
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
ATTN: New Talent

To submit yourself to the San Diego division, mail your materials to:

Baron Entertainment
13848 Ventura Blvd. Suite A
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
ATTN: New Talent - San Diego

To submit yourself to the Baron Babies division, mail materials about your newborn through 3 year old to:

Baron Entertainment
13848 Ventura Blvd. Suite A
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
ATTN: New Talent - Babies

Baron does not accept electronic submissions. Interviews are by appointment only. Please do not phone, e-mail, fax or visit.

A Few Notes About Talent Agents

If you have a lot of experience, are well trained, and are a "type" that they are interested in at the time, they will call. In the large markets such as Los Angeles and New York, it can be extremely difficult for even experienced and well trained actors to land an agent, so keep your expectations realistic when submitting, and be patient. Try again in a few months if they do not call. If you are doing a play or showcase, send a postcard to invite an agent to come see you perform.

Also, don't expect to be able to pick and choose an agent unless you are a very well known and respected actor. I see so many people asking, "What is the best agent in LA (or NY or wherever)?" If you have to ask that question, you certainly are not an actor who can "pick and choose" an agent. 99% of actors should consider themselves lucky to sign with a SAG franchised or ATA/NATR Agency. You can send a photo and resume to every legit talent agent in LA or NY and would be lucky to get one single call.

And one last thing..... just because an Agency is a "licensed Talent Agent" in your state does NOT mean that they are a good or even legit agent. The rules to become a licensed Talent Agent in every state are MUCH more lenient than the rules to become a SAG franchised agent or ATA/NATR agent. I would only recommend signing with an agent that is franchised with the Screen Actors Guild, or a member of the Association of Talent Agents (ATA) or National Association of Talent Representatives (NATR).

What To Expect When Interviewing With Talent Agencies

This is what a top-level Talent Agent had to say about this question:

"The process is simple. First, I always meet one on one with potential clients. This gives me a chance to really get to know the person. If that goes well, I ask the actor to come back and meet the other agents. It's essential that everyone be in agreement. One agent should never try to convince the others to sign someone.

And that's basically it. The only problem is actors tend to be their own worst enemy. Believe it or not, actors seeking representation are always convincing me NOT to sign them. Pretty depressing, right?

I'm always amazed by how much effort actors put into getting a meeting with me but none of you ever know how to behave once you're actually in my office.

Before we tackle this subject, let's make something clear. I want to like you. It's my job to sign actors and if you're sitting in my office, that means you did something right. Maybe I noticed your submission. Maybe someone referred you. Or maybe I saw your work in a showcase. Whatever it was, something positive happened to get your butt into that chair. So don't turn a positive into a negative. You've got 15 minutes to make an impression. That's 900 seconds. You have to use that time wisely.

So how should you behave in my office? Well, think of it this way. Meeting with an agent is like a first date. You've got two people in a room. They're sizing each other up. And they're both wondering if it's going to go any further.

Now ask yourself this: what's the worst thing you can do on a first date?

Answer: Talk about yourself.

There's nothing worse than being stuck on a date with someone who spends the whole night going on and on about themselves. It's the same thing in a meeting. I tend to tune out actors who waste their time by doing a non-stop monologue about who they are and what they want.

So don't play into the stereotype of the narcissistic, self-involved actor. It's dull. It's boring. And worst of all, it doesn't give me a chance to really get to know you.

Instead, walk into that office and create an atmosphere where you can both get to know each other as people. I have to forget that you're an actor seeking representation. That's boring. Instead, I need to see you as an individual. I have to get a sense of who you really are outside the world of show business.

How do you do this? Easy. Try to have a normal conversation. Maybe there's something in my office that catches your eye. Or maybe you just saw a great movie. Whatever. The idea is to get into a give and take situation where you're talking about anything but acting. This will give me a chance to get to know the real you.

I once met with a young lady who had "tarot card reader" listed on her resume under Special Skills. It just so happens that I love anything having to do with the occult. So we started talking about it and the next thing you know, we're both sitting on the floor and she's giving me a reading. As a result, we really got to know each other and I ended up representing her for many years.

Now that's what I call a good meeting.

Remember - it's easy for an agent to pass on an actor seeking representation. We do it every day. But saying no becomes just a little bit harder when we've spent 15 minutes getting to know you as a human being. And that might just be enough to get you signed as a client."

-An excerpt from “An Agent Tells All” written by Tony Martinez.

How To Get An Agent

There are two types of talent agents, theatrical (television and film) and commercial (for television commercials). Being with the same agency for both is called being "signed across the board," but many actors prefer to have separate agents for different types of work, become some agencies can be better commercially, but not as good theatrically, or vice versa.

Agents get information about auditions for roles, either directly from casting directors and producers calling them asking for client submissions, or from a service called "the breakdowns," a daily list of roles being cast, sent only to agents and managers.

Agents work for you, but they only get 10% of what you make, so that means you need to do 90% of the work - especially when you are getting started. That means always be professional, be skilled in acting, network and let casting directors, producers and directors know about your work & upcoming performances by sending out postcards & invitations, know your "type", and make sure you and your agent have an understanding about what kinds of parts you will be submitted for.

The Strategy:

Do not randomly stop by agents offices unannounced, they do not accept personal drop-offs. Avoid calling the office for now. Simply send in your 8" X 10" color photo and resume, along with a brief cover letter. Show the agents that you understand how valuable their time is by keeping the cover letter short and sweet. Far too many actors end up writing a long cover letter, and the agents end up just trowing it in the "circular file" aka trash can.

This is a sample of a good cover letter:
________________________________________________


Savannah Starlet
4321 Superstar Street
Beverly Hills CA 90210
savvystar@email.com
555-986-6754

Attn: Mr. Agent


Enclosed you will find my photo and resume for your consideration. I am currently seeking theatrical (and/or commercial) representation. Please feel free to contact me at the above phone number or email address.

Sincerely,

Savannah Starlet

_________________________________________________

Now the agent even has a few moments to actually look at the photo and resume!

Then after about a week, give them a quick call and just say your name, tell them that you sent in a photo and resume, and that you are calling back as a follow up. They will usually write your name down, and say that they will give you a call if interested, or we are reviewing it, etc. Again, just keep it short and show them that you value their time. They will be pleasantly surprised.

Say something like.....

"No problem, I don't want to take up your time, but wanted to make a quick call to see if you are interested".

They'll either be impressed (and relieved) at the brief conversation, or will be so caught off guard that they'll try to explain further. If they haven't said goodbye, then just repeat a variation of your previous words (always offering them a chance to end the conversation and reinforcing that you know their time is valuable). Agents get tired off so many actors calling and somewhat begging, "can I come in for an interview", or "I am very talented and would be a great addition to your roster". If you follow these steps, keep your letter and conversation brief, the agent will most likely appreciate it.

Many agents these days do not track submissions and will merely inform you of this when you call. Also, several of the top agencies do not accept unsolicited photo and resume submissions, they only accept new clients through industry referral. So purchasing the Hollywood Representation Directory is a very good idea because it lists the agents that do accept unsolicited submissions. It also lists the names of all of the different agents that work at the agency. You can purchase the Hollywood Representation Directory here:

Hollywood Representation Directory: April 2009


Call the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been made against the agency.

Tips & Warnings

* Agents making their living by earning a percentage of each job they book for a model. Do not pay any up-front fees to an agent.

* If you're not happy with the number of auditions or bookings you are getting, set up an appointment with your agent and discuss what you can do to generate more jobs.

* If the agent lies to you, makes outrageous promises or asks for up-front money (to cover phone calls or mailing expenses on your behalf), keep looking. Legitimate agents do not ask for expense money.

Los Angeles Talent Agency charged with false advertising in child talent search

A talent agency and its owner have been charged with falsely advertising to child actors and charging them $1,500 for an agent.

The Los Angeles city attorney's office filed five counts each against Carl Carranza and Flashcast Companies Inc.

Five victims have complained to the city about Carranza advertising on Craigslist.org for a free talent search for children to work in modeling, catalogs and television commercials. Flashcast allegedly sent e-mails inviting the children and their parents to their offices where they were told that they could get a licensed agent for $1,495.

Prosecutors say Carranza was convicted on similar charges in 2002. He faces up to 2 1/2 years in prison and $12,500 in fines if convicted of making false or misleading statements.

Call for Actors Seeking Talent Agent in New Mexico

The Atherton Group is seeking submissions for prospective talent for representation in The New Mexico Market in Film, Television, Commercial, Voice Over, and Print. Founded in 1994, The Atherton Group has been ranked as one of the top talent agencies by the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com). Recent success stories for talent with The Atherton Group include Brea Grant (star of NBC’s hit TV series HEROES), Cambell Westmoreland (cast in Robert Rodriguez’s SHORTS and Richard Linklater’s BOYHOOD), Davi Jay (cast in HBO’s upcoming series TREME), and Natalia Castellanos (cast in an upcoming episode of CBS’s CSI:NY). In addition to serving the Texas and New Mexico markets, the agency also has divisions in Louisiana and California.

The agency is accepting submissions from the following...

Children: They do not represent babies. They are currently only accepting submissions from children who are at least 4 years of age. If you do not have a professional headshot, please submit two or three close-up images, including a face shot and a body shot, along with a resume of your interests and special skills. Please include hair and eye color, height, weight, ethnicity, and date of birth.

Voice-Over Talent: Please email your resume and Voice-Over demo(s) (links only - do not email large files). They will consider Voice Over Talent from other regions who have in-house studios, ISDN and/or Phone Patch capabilities.

To be considered for representation please mail your headshot(s), resume, and other material to:

The Atherton Group Operations
New Mexico Submission
1310 E. University Avenue
Georgetown, Texas 78626

No Phone Calls. Meetings by Appointment Only.

Voice Over talent ONLY can email a demo to:

michael@tagtalent.com

Please note that they receive many submissions and cannot always get back with everyone. They will contact you for an appointment if interested.