Question: I have the phone number of a talent agent looking for teens my age. Should I call? And if I do, what should I say?

ANSWER:

Get together with your parents and figure out what it is YOU want and that will help you to know what to say when they answer the phone.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket though. Don't do like so many other aspiring actors do and make that one phone call or send their package of headshot, resume and cover letter to one agent, casting director or director and then sit back and wait.

1. Know what you are striving for and make it clear to yourself.
Here is a page on my site for new and aspiring actors. It is a provocative look at 9 different types of acting careers you might think of strivng for.
http://www.actingcareerstartup.com/acting_careers.html
2. Start learning what it means to be an actor. Talk to actors who are working all the time and also talk to actors who have been doing it for a while and who still are not really doing anything in terms of acting work that is important. You can learn from them too and find out why they are struggling to be successful. There are a lot of people like that around.
3. Know that agents are in the business to make money. They can only make money if they represent clients (actors) who they are sure will get booked on jobs from going to auditions. The way to get that certainty is for them to work together with or represent actors who are good and know how to act, which brings me to the next point.
4. Start learning what agents do and what they look for in an actor.
5. Start learning about the industry. Here are some good sites to do that:
http://www.backstage.com
http://www.variety.com

Also know that there are many different variations of acting careers: film, theatre, day-time televsion, prime-time televsion, hosting, educational videos and corporate videos, on-camera commercials, commercial print.

So this answer goes full circle back to the original point I made. Know what it is you want.

If I were your parents, I would probably tell you that finding an agent right now is premature until you start doing some of the things I said above.

Lastly, when you do start contacting agents, don't just contact one. Contact as many as you can in your area that are looking for your TYPE. Knowing what that is will increase your chances of getting an agent.

Good luck!

Tony