It is possible to secure an agent before moving to LA. However, this is more the exception than the rule. Agents typically prefer to work with artists who are willing to take the risk and actually move to LA. If an artist is too insecure about his/her abilities to justify moving to LA, an agent may tend to agree with the artist’s sensibilities and not sign the artist.

Availability and logistics are also big concerns for agents. If an artist is out of state and unable to make auditions and/or call backs, the agent will likely find him/herself wasting time of the client. Furthermore, even if the client is available for the audition and/or callback, he/she also needs to be available to actually work the job! This can be a real issue if the client doesn’t live in LA and doesn’t have any place to stay.

Once you’re a well known/established artist (i.e. Johnny Depp), it’s OK to live outside of the city/state/country. However, until that point, it’s important to show an agent that you’re willing to move to LA to commit all of your time and energy to being a successful artist before asking an agent to represent your interests.

- Alec Shankman / Talent Agent, Abrams Artists Agency