BTA® APPLICANTS

What we look for in potential clients

“Only talent filled with humility is of real use to humanity.” – Brahma Kumaris

Every artist in this industry has talent – we look for a whole lot more

Team Players 🤜🤛

Recognising that their agent is far better placed than they are to understand the inner workings of the industry, our clients look to us for guidance. Our clients also recognise that this industry runs on clear and efficient communication – that’s why our clients keep themselves available and reachable, and respond quickly to confirm availability, castings, recalls and bookings.

Our clients also strive to continually update their online profiles, showreels and headshots so it’s clear to casting why they are appropriate for all the jobs we are trying so hard to get for them. It’s about working with each other, not against each other.

A Business Mindset 🏦 💵

It’s called ‘show business’. Yes, you’re an artist, but the sooner you realise you’re actually a small business owner with yourself as the product, the sooner you will help us to help you by adopting a business mindset.

Our Founder and Senior Agent also has the benefit of law school training, which means we can advise our clients in a way very few other agencies can in regards the inception, execution and discharge of any potential employment contract they are offered. And this business can be tough. Not a day goes by when we don’t have to use our legal savoir faire on behalf of our clients – you’ll appreciate that fully when it’s on your behalf.

Long-Term Loyalty ☔️☀️

The first year or two will determine if you ‘get it’. The unpredictability of this industry can be tough for artists to accept, but right from day one at BTA® we are there to guide and encourage. In return we expect our artists to work with us as loyal and reliable teammates as we continually evaluate your progress.

Deeper into our agency relationship we offer some of our clients other forms of representation, including international management. And some of our actors also develop into fine writers, ripe for our growing literary department.

But let’s cross those bridges if and when we come to them – see if you can get (and stay) on our books first 😉

Balanced Ambition 📚✅

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a career in the entertainment industry. Balancing your ambition with reasonable expectations is the key to both longevity in this business and a happy relationship with your agent. Our clients, therefore, do everything they can to further themselves in all of their talents, while at the same time respecting the odds they are up against.

For our part, we do everything we can reasonably do in guiding our clients on how to improve their chances with casting, as well as doing our due diligence in putting our clients forward for appropriate and plentiful submissions. And, yes, we do that rare agent thing and submit our clients ‘across the board’ – we love nothing more than triple, even ‘quadruple-threats’ – recognising that each of your talents is probably equally as important to you as the others.

Across the Board

Bridging the gap between ‘straight acting’ and ‘musical theatre’, we aim to provide tantalising opportunities across the board for both our acting and MT clients.

Many MT clients are fabulous actors, and many straight actors are fabulous singers. It may take a little more effort on our part, but we go the extra mile to get to know all our clients’ skills, and then submit our clients for everything they can do well, irrespective of what their obvious ‘specialty’ may be.

ARTISTS - YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR PASSION

We secure work for our clients in a vast range of mediums, including but not limited to: film, TV, video games, documentary, commercials, all forms of theatre, all forms of musical theatre, dance, cruises, resorts, voice over, presenting, modelling, events, corporate, webisodes; apps and new media, etc.

Here is just a tiny sample of some recent bookings →

We recently signed American actor, Aaron Stielstra - thanks to us booked a juicy role on the now infamously unreleased DC movie ‘BATGIRL’, starring Leslie Grace, Brendan Fraser and oscar winner J.K. Simmons. Shame WB chose to scrap the movie!! 😳🤷🏻‍♂️

Shortly after we signed Italian actor, Daniele Monterosi, we booked him as a major character in a forthcoming high-profile video game (that we are not allowed to mention by name!) 🙂

BTA's Harry Oliver recently made a small fortune working on Mike Myer's new Netflix series, The Pentaverate. Don't spend it all at once, Harry! 😉

BTA's Raquel Cipriano recently completed filming on season 2 of Amazon's The Wheel of Time, starring Rosamund Pike.

During its run, BTA® had more clients than any other agency working on the Netflix Money Heist Experience in London! 🙂

We recently signed Nathan Chatelier and soon after booked him on Sky's forthcoming show, Funny Girl, starring Gemma Arterton.

BTA's Bruno Matay recently completed filming on the CBS TV show, FBI INTERNATIONAL.

BTA's Matthew Koon has secured a lot of work since we signed him in January '21, including lucrative commercials for Adobe, Castrol, and Facebook - as well as TV roles in the forthcoming Netflix series KAOS alongside Jeff Goldblum and the BBC's forthcoming drama, Everything I Know About Love, starring Emma Appleton. Congrats lovely Matthew! 🙂

BTA's Alecs Simone (based in Italy) recently booked a very lucrative commercial for Samsung

BTA's Rahul Sidhu is currently filming a major role in an independent film. He also recently booked a lucrative commercial for McDelivery, and also completed filming on a new Channel 4 series, How to be a Person.

MASSIVE EMPLOYABILITY BENCHMARKS

As another example, we currently* have a massive 33% of all of our London clients working in theatre.

Considering a recent study by Queen Mary University (London) found that only 2% of all actors earn a living from the profession, this is a remarkable figure.

Congrats to all the BTA® family! 🙂

(*measured on October 19th, 2022)

%

33% of all BTA's London clients are currently working in theatre!

THE ART & SCIENCE OF SUBMISSIONS

Success in this industry is weighted by combining a scientific and artistic approach to submissions. Nothing works better than taking and using hard data (the science) and combining that with decades of wisdom and experience (the art) to increase and strategise talent submissions.

Thus, every couple of months we encourage our clients to request their Spotlight submission report from us. The responce is always the same - sheer amazement at the qualitative and quantitative data. You're welcome 😉

"I am very grateful for all these great opportunities so quickly after signing with you! Thanks so much for believing in me and taking me on as part of the BTA team."

Carly Buhler

Actress, BTA®

BTA® due diligence 100% 100%

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BTA® submission happiness

"Wow... that’s amazing! Thank you ever so much! Thank you so, so much for everything."

Beth Haf Jones

Actress, BTA®

"Hey Ryan, thanks for sending the submission report over, just been going through this morning and I really appreciate the amount of work you’ve put in for me already! I’ll work to do everything I can to get in the room."

Freddy Parkington

Actor, BTA®

FREDDY PARKINGTON

Mr. Parkington is a remarkably talented young actor with credits in wide-ranging mediums: he performed as Tom Holland's Stand-in for Marvel Studio's 'Spider-Man: Far From Home'; and starred in a lucrative Nintendo commercial etc. Further to this Freddy is well-trained in stunts, parkour and mo cap.

Casting loves Freddy! 🙂

The BTA® Family

our clients say it best

There's only one BTA®

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Lot of lovely BTA clients, staff and Ryan joined together to celebrate Ryan's law school graduation ceremony in London.

"Hi Ryan & team,

Saying thank you is easy, what I would like to say is that apart from being our agent, you’re also our godfather, as well as our confidant, and we frequently feel your support. I hope you know we also care for you.

Thank you all for being amazing, for believing in us and for giving us the chance of a better future.

Sending in an enormous hug!"

Juliana Barros

Actress, BTA®

“Ryan and the team at BTA® offer a very high number of auditions. And the quality and spectrum of the projects is vast. Never have I encountered so many interesting – and BIG – opportunities in so little time. And Ryan handles everything fast, friendly and efficient. It’s been a very exciting ride! Grazie!”

Aaron Stielstra

Actor, BTA®

Hi Ryan,

I just finished submitting the tapes for the Marvel Studios casting. Thank you!

And thank you for your comprehension and kindness dealing with my personal issue. Hope you have an amazing day and are feeling well. Thank you for your support.

Kind regards,

Sergio

Sergio Santamaria Nora

Actor, BTA®

"Thank you so much for sending that over. It's fantastic how many things I am being put forward for, and I really appreciate your hard work...

Thank you again for all your hard work there are so many submissions."

Rebecca Ryder

Actress, BTA®

"Hi Ryan, I just wanted to say again how grateful I am for your guidance. I really appreciate your support. Alice :)"

Alice Ezra

Actress, BTA®

Since beginning my time with BTA just 6 months ago I have had nothing but a personable, professional, and winning experience from Ryan and his team. It's clear that Ryan loves his job a great deal as he works tirelessly around the clock. I have had a number of agents before BTA and none come close to his level of dedication and passion for the industry.

In a fickle acting world where we all need someone to stand in our corner, Ryan has no issue standing up and ensuring the best for his clients. If you're willing to do what it takes to be the best in this industry then the team at BTA will do what it takes to get you there. During my first year of returning to acting with a previous agent I didn't have one audition for an entire year! Now during my first 6 months with BTA I have had a consistent flow of both self tapes and live auditions and I even landed my first professional TV gig! I am extremely grateful for all the work done at BTA and I'm thrilled to continue to achieve great things in the future together. Thanks so much!

Fergus Foster

Actor, BTA®

"...my O2 commercial has just starting showing on tv!! Saw it for the first time today. Thank you so much, I’m thrilled!"

Marie-Sophie de Felice

Actress, BTA®

Hi Ryan,

Thank you for this and I just want to say a massive thank you to you and the team for all of your hard work this year and for helping me secure the Money Heist job, which I am thoroughly enjoying.

I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a very happy new year!

Here’s to 2022!

Best wishes,

Sarah xx

Sarah Collins

Actress, BTA®

"Ryan has been incredibly supportive since day 1. He’s professional, approachable and friendly. Always on call when needed and has provided me constant support, encouragement and guidance.

Very fortunate to have such a kind, hardworking and knowledgeable agent, that I can also have a great laugh with and call my friend.

Thank you for generating such wonderful opportunities for me and your continued support, guidance and friendship."

Alexander King

Actor, BTA®

Hey Ryan,

Just wanted to send a quick email to thank you for everything... I know you've done everything possible in very difficult circumstances and the communication has been greatly appreciated.

Speak to you soon,

Alex

Alexander McLintock

Actor, BTA®

Dear Ryan,

It’s been the strangest year for starting a new era with a new agent, however you’ve kept us troops entertained and motivated us throughout the year! ...I raise a virtual glass to you and hope you enjoy the festive season!

P.s an Amazon package should have arrived today, as a thank you for the hard work - enjoy!

Alistair

Alistair Robertson

Actor, BTA®

"Dear Ryan,

Just wanted to say Happy Easter and thanks for the check-in messages on WhatsApp. I am so grateful to have an agent that is so attentive and thoughtful - it's such a blessing in this industry and especially during this time.

Let me know if there's anything I can be doing during quarantine that would be helpful for putting me forward for more work when this is all over... Hope you're staying healthy, safe, and sane!

Best,

Franziska"

Franziska Harms

Actress, BTA®

"Hi Ryan,
just letting you know that I have just sent the casting tapes off to Huawei,

I also just wanted to say a massive thank you for all of your support and effort, during quarantine and continuously!
it is great to know that you believe in me and I am so grateful for your encouragement and advice!

I feel privileged to be a part of BTA!

Thanks Again! 🙂 x"

Georgina Galley

Actress, BTA®

the industry concurs

"You are the best. So hard working."

ANNE STONE

Casting Director & Producer, Anne Stone Casting

"During the course of booking one of his clients for one of our productions, Ryan gently pointed out that there was a simple, but rather important, error in our contract. Ryan was absolutely right - the error was obvious once you saw it. I'd been using that contract and sending it to countless other agents for about 8 years and not one of them had spotted it! We amended the contract and booked his client. With his evident and almost effortless knowledge of contract law, Ryan's pretty unique in this industry."

GABI BLOOR

Producer, Rapport Group

"Legend! 😊 ...thank you Ryan, you’ve sent in some ace groups ❤ ... thanks so much for these fab tapes so quickly xx... ...You da best! X"

Bex Reynolds

Casting Associate, ET Casting

"Great - you are the only agent who invoiced correctly"

ILISA RICHTER

Casting Director, Ilisa Richter Casting

SIGNING WITH BTA®

We are constantly inundated with submissions from established UK and international artists, as well as recent graduates. Some artists are very good at approaching us; some are terrible.

If you are determined to sign with BTA® we suggest you read this little 'how to' guide to give yourself the best chance of signing with us first time.

1. Your submission

Your submission should include a cover letter which should be concise, professional and intelligent - it should have 2 sections:

First, and most importantly, focus on why you wish to sign with BTA® in particular. If you want us to select you in particular out of tens of thousands of actors, tell us why you have selected us in particular out of hundreds of agencies? We are a unique agency, with a modern structure, a clear vision, and a founder with a masters degree in law - we've given you plenty talk about! So please make sure you demonstrate that you have done your homework on us - at the very least, read and digest every word of this website.

Secondly, also include a 2 or 3 paragraph biography, written in the 3rd person, that highlights your notable artistic and academic achievements to date.

2. Your Interview

Your interview will be with Ryan, and will almost certainly take place over the phone. Remember, you asked for this interview, so please be prepared for it! This is your chance to shine out from the crowd. Obviously, Ryan will mostly refer to your CV, so know it well.

People are often intimidated to start with, but then pleasantly surprised at how easy-going and playful Ryan is in conversation - but please remember, Ryan has over 3 decades of experience in this industry and is a trained lawyer - so while he may act casual, Ryan is listening intently to everything you say; how you say it; what you don't say; what you ask for and how you ask for it, etc.

The best advice we can give is to just be completely honest - be open and clear - ask for what you want, and be clear on what you don't want. The foundation of any relationship starts with open and honest communication. And if you get what you ask for (a contract), try not to shoot yourself in the foot afterwards! 😉

3. Questions you should NOT ask:

You will be given the opportunity to ask some questions - please spend some time thinking about whether or not your questions are appropriate. We suggest you might want to practice asking your questions with a friend.

We are often told how refreshing, honest, positive and full of information our website is. Thank you 🙂 With that in mind, however, please do NOT ask the following questions as it reveals that you either have not taken the time to read our website, or you are unprepared and cannot think of anything better to ask:

What kind of work do you get your actors? This should be patently obvious if you read this website and do some research.
What attracted you to my submission? Are you fishing for compliments or lacking in confidence? Either way this is a somewhat odd question to ask someone you approached.
I'm a recent graduate, can you get me into an Amazon/Netflix series? Obviously, we have had several clients in both Amazon and Netflix shows etc., but typically it takes a while to build up your CV to the point where you'll be considered for such shows - patience, young jedi 🙏😌