EP 35: Maya Ritter: Talent Agent

Today I’m lifting the veil of secrecy off one of the most misunderstood jobs in the acting industry: the talent agent. I chat with my talent agent and lovely human Maya Ritter, from Ritter Talent Agency. Maya tells me about how she became an agent after having worked as a child actor and busts some of the biggest myths about agents, actors and what they’re supposed to do for each other.

This episode is a great listen for anyone who’s been signed by a talent agency or who’s starting to look for an agent. You’ll hear Maya and I discuss how you can get an acting career off the ground, what Maya would have done differently as an actor and how you can make your agent’s life easier. Maya also runs through a day in the life of a talent agent and gives advice on how to navigate difficult conversations with your agent such as asking to take a career break and what to say if you think your agent is letting you down.

If you learnt something from this episode of Second Act Actors, please share it in your community and subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts.

Timestamps

[0:05] Maya tells me how she became a child actor

[3:22] Maya’s existential crisis, backpacking through Asia and her revelation of wanting to start her own talent agency

[6:18] What difference does it make if your agent has also acted professionally?

[9:16] Maya’s advice on how to get started as an actor

[11:00] What would Maya have done differently in her acting career?

[15:04] “So-and-so isn’t doing enough for me”: The misconception that some actors have about the role of their agent

[18:42] Had a challenging time with a previous agent? Here’s how Maya would handle it

[21:24] “It’s a relationship”: Maya on the bond between an actor and an agent

[23:55] The two things that actors can do to make their agent’s job easier

[27:25] Navigating a temporary break from your acting career

[29:45] That crazy career myth about making it as an actor