Agents are the gatekeepers to the people who hire you for TV, film, and commercials - the casting directors (CDs) and producers. In return for helping you find work, your agent will receive 10% of your paychecks (at least, 10% is the industry standard. Beware of deviant contracts).
For each role, a CD will receive hundreds to thousands of résumés and headshots, from which they will narrow the field to the amount that they have the time and/or need to audition. There are so many actors vying for so few roles that talent agents act as the first step in the weeding-out process. In this field, where the supply so greatly exceeds the demand, just getting an audition is quite an accomplishment. And to get the audition, you need an agent.
SoYouWanna know more? Check out our full-length article SYW get a talent agent?
