Preparing for a Commercial Agent Interview

In preparing for my commercial agent interview, I realized there's quite a bit to do.

1. Assemble a solid reel representing your work.
   
   1. Be sure to emphasize any strong comedic work that you've done.
      
2. Bone up on your commercial audition technique.
   
   1. Agents want to believe that you can wow casting directors and give a great audition. So practice reading commercial copy.
      
   2. Work in front of a camera – it's the best feedback you'll ever get.
      
3. Prepare a monologue.
   
   1. In about 75% of the agent interviews I've attended they've asked me if I had a monologue I wanted to perform.
      
   2. In 100% of the interviews where a monologue was needed, I didn't have one at performance quality. Of course Murphey's law dictates that at the interview where I had a monologue prepared, I wasn't asked for one.
      
4. Prepare your questions
   
   1. Remember you are interviewing the agent as well.
      
5. Headshot/Resume
   
   1. This should go without saying, but bring a headshot and resume (multiple copies is always a good idea).
      
   2. Know your measurements: height, weight, shoe size, chest, waist, inseam, etc.
      
6. Dress for success
   
   1. Wear clothes that you like, you'll feel better and the agent will get a better sense of who you are.
      
   2. Iron your shirt/slacks/dress, and make sure that your socks match.
      
7. Relax
   
   1. As much as possible try to be the charming lovable you that all of your friends enjoy hanging out with.
      
   2. Remember, this is one of many agents you will have in your career – so no need to have a kitten, no matter how badly you want an agent.
      
   3. The agent wants you to succeed just as much as you want to.