We carried out a review of almost a thousand talent agencies across the UK. This page summarises our findings of acting agencies in Belfast and Northern Ireland.
Research Before The Application
There’s a lot of research you must do before applying to any agency.
It will help you avoid scams. Also, you’ll make a better impression on the agents you approach.
Have you read our article Acting Agencies: Which One Is Right For You?
Acting Agencies In Belfast And Northern Ireland
Remember: Can you see independent evidence that performers get regular paid work through the agency?
Independent Agency (I, a.)
- Located in Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Actors for Film and TV, Theatre and Corporate Engagements
- Male, female, and voice actors
- Twitter account last used July 2019 (as at January 2020)
- No Facebook Group
- Actor profiles include links to Spotlight and IMDb
Jobbing Actors
- Located in Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Founded by 2015 by Denis Halligan
- Represents actors and models for wide range of jobs of all sizes
- Also self taping services and recording studio
- Unusually for the industry, represented talent are offered a range of free services
- Headshots, showreels, voicereels – provided in house
- Self taping, development plans, etc – also provided by agency
- Website has an excellent, clear explanation of application process
- Email your CV, Headshot, Spotlight Link and Showreel to specified address
- Preference given to professionally trained applicants
- Send complimentary tickets with advance notice to be seen in a show
- Voice actors to submit a Voicereel (MP3 attachment, or link to Soundcloud etc), Headshot, and experience to specified email address
- Twitter use ceased May 2019 (as at February 2020)
- Active Facebook page
Nova Artists
- Located in Northern Ireland
- Facebook group busy and lots of engagement (February 2020)
- Active Twitter account @nova_artists (February 2020)
- over twenty years experience of film, television and theatre
- run by Colin Ash and Michael Poole
Premier Artists
- Located in Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Not connected to Premier Artists in London or Australia
- Film, Television, Theatre etc
- Actors are professionally trained
- Established in 2012 by experienced actor Ed McCann
- Formerly the Inbetween Agency
- Twitter account last updated 2015
- Facebook group busy and lots of engagement (February 2020)
Redrush Talent
- Listed on Spotlight Contacts at an address in Killinchy, Newtownards, BT23 6PN
- Twitter feed @RedRushTalent last updated mid-2017 (as at June 2019)
- In June 2019, the website did not work
Rising Talent
- Located in Northern Ireland
- Dedicated acting agency for young people
- Screen, stage, voiceover, child extras
- Regulated by the Department for the Economy
- Workshops and training throughout the year
- Run by founder and Principal of The Pamela Cassells School of Performance
- Very busy Facebook page with high level of engagement with parents
The Extras Dept
- Located in Northern Ireland
- Extras Agency
- Everyone must reside in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland
- Adults, teenagers, children aged 2 and over
- Free to join, no training or experience required
- Easy to apply and no audition/meeting required
- Decent home photos accepted
- Clear and well designed website with helpful guides
- Annual registration fee and commission rates set out clearly for applicants
- Twitter account last used in 2017 (as at February 2020)
- Tens of thousands of likes & follows on Facebook
- The Facebook Page is busy
Other Options Available To Aspiring Actors
- Get representation from one of the hundreds of acting agencies based around the UK – as long as you can get to castings at your own expense, it isn’t location dependent.
- Sign up for a free profile on a Casting Website and pay for membership when you see a role advertised that you are suitable for.
- Join all the Facebook groups for filmmaking networks that you can find – and why not set up one yourself?
- Get together with creative friends and make a short film for a showreel?
- Read the biographies of actors from Northern Ireland to see if you can follow their route into the industry. It will give you a clear idea of the drama school they attended or the type of projects they took to get a foot in the door.
- If you just want to get on set with the minimum hassle, investigate Film and TV extra work as a supporting artist.
- Training and acting opportunities can start as a child actor. Join a local youth theatre or sign up to a residential summer school.
- If you’re 25 or under you can compete for a place at the National Youth Theatre Summer School – it’s a big boost to your CV.
