Since this is one of the most commonly asked questions by beginners, we have decided to actually handle it as a page in itself. First of all let's address some of the things that should never be done.

Do not respond to ads in the newspapers for actors.  Legitimate agents and Casting Directors do not advertise for actors. They receive mountains of mail from experienced actors seeking representation and auditions. Seeing as the only way that legitimate agents receive any compensation is a 10-20% commission on work booked by the actors that they send on castings, they certainly would not go to the expense of spending several hundred dollars a week to advertise for actors with no experience. The ones that do this are known for selling pictures. The pictures that you will receive are unprofessional and unusable in the industry.

Never pay for an audition, agent representation or classes that promise you a job. One of the newer ways to separate you and your money is to advertise an audition for a TV show. After your first "audition" you will receive several callbacks (opportunities to audition again to narrow down the competition). After each callback you are told how much closer to getting the role you are. Finally you are told that there is going to be a class for the final contenders, the cost will be anywhere from $400 - $6,000 for a few weeks and it will be during this time that the scripts will be completed and final casting nailed down. Don't get sucked into that scheme.

Don't pay to be on a website.   If your agent is reliable and thinks highly enough of you to put you on their website etc. they will do so for free. They may have you go out and pay for your pictures etc. to be formatted but they will not ask you for money. If you have good pictures and your agent wants to use you as a sample of their talent pool, they won't charge you.

Now for the Do's
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You will need a picture to get an agent.  If you are only interested in doing extra work (background actors in a movie/TV show or commercial) all you need is a couple snapshots. One should be as fairly close up shot of your head and shoulders. You should be the only one in the picture and it should look just like you do in everyday life. The other should be a full body shot of you in casual clothes. Do not worry if you are short, overweight, tall, skinny, young or old or whatever. Extra work uses all kinds of people to portray the background of a scene, such as people in a mall, grocery store, stadium, street corner etc. So chances are you'll be perfect.

Send these shots to a reputable agent.

A good place for Extra's is "Exceptional Events and Entertainment". You will find their details on our agents list. Make sure that you include your name, phone number the fact that you are seeking extra work. With these pictures and no training, that is all you will be qualified for.

In order to be considered professional enough to register as talent, you will need a headshot. This should be taken by a professional headshot photographer. As in medicine, most photographers specialize and the best wedding or editorial photographer may do terrible headshots.   Go with a reputable photographer that specializes in actor head shots.  There are people who are cheaper, but you get what you pay for and in an industry as competitive as acting you don't want to have inferior pictures.

 

Unless you are a model, you do not need a composite. If you think you qualify as a model get this confirmed by a strong print agent, such as Next Model Management, Ford, Boca Talent and Models, World Models or Wilhelmina. Do not take the word of someone who is trying to sell you pictures. They will tell anyone that he or she can be a model, so that they can take their money. A good composite should be worked on with several good print photographers, the above agents can help you with suggestions. If they are willing to take the time to advise you, you probably are model material

Put a resume on the back of your headshot.  Paper is 8 1/2 x 11. Headshots are 8x10. Thus you must trim your resume to fit on the back of your picture. (See "How to write a resume" article)  It is considered highly unprofessional to have your resume hanging over the edge of your shot. You can also have Kinko's cut your resumes to size. They charge about $1.50 a cut so you can have 100 resumes cut for $3.00 (if your computer justifies your resume to the top left corner, you simply cut 1 inch off the bottom and ½ an inch off the right).

Next attach your resume to your headshot with a staple in each corner. Send your headshot and resume to 3 or four agents at first. Talk to professionals who can tell you which agent would work best for you. Submit to these and if they take you great. If not, submit to 3 or 4 others until you have a couple agents willing to take you on.

Take a good business class
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I suggest you also take a good class about the business. Make sure that it is taught by an industry professional. If your teacher has never or is not presently working in the industry, how can they guide you to success in it? This class should be inexpensive and offer insight on how to get ahead (see; How to Succeed in the Business ($45) and Director Tom Logan Business of Show Business ($55) in the Workshop Section.