The acting scene in Brisbane is small compared to those in Sydney or Melbourne, but an increasing number of big-budget feature films are using Queensland’s pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and easily accessible outback as the backdrop for their stories.
Some of these spill out of the Gold Coast’s Village Roadshow Studios (among the largest film studios in the southern hemisphere) into Brisbane itself. For Thor: Ragnarok, Brisbane's streets were closed down and transformed into New York City. The Netflix romantic comedy Romance on the Menu was shot in Brisbane's coastal suburb of Shorncliffe. So, it makes sense that Brisbane is becoming an increasingly popular base for actors, who are spoilt for choice when it comes to local acting classes.
You can certainly find acting opportunities yourself by scouring online open casting calls, but finding a reputable acting agent will likely advance your career faster than anything you can do on your own. To that end, we’ve created a list of the city’s best acting agencies. All of these appear on the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) 2024 list of Queensland agents.
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Ego is one of Brisbane's most established agencies, representing talent across film, television, and commercial projects. It offers a wide range of services and has a dedicated team to support its actors’ careers. It represents actors in speaking and non-speaking roles and also provides extras to major feature films, so this is a great agency if you are just starting out and looking for experience on set. Its actors have appeared in the Netflix film True Spirit, George Clooney’s Ticket to Paradise, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Scooby Doo.
Why choose it? According to its website, Ego Management’s team has 50 years of industry experience and has forged relationships with casting directors, film studios, producers, and networks both nationally and internationally.
How to apply: You can apply using the web form. You’ll need to upload a headshot and showreel and provide details of any relevant training or experience. You can also email this information to brisbaneadmin@egomanagement.com.au.
A relative newcomer on the scene, having only been founded in 2017, Brisbane talent agency Howell Management has quickly garnered a solid reputation for supporting actors in the Brisbane area and beyond, helping them grow their careers with opportunities in film, television, and theatre. Established by Kirsty Howell, who brought 10 years’ experience working as an agent, it’s also got elite talent manager Guy Leslie supporting advanced actors on its books. Extras agent Alyssa Hall and theatre manager Lilli Musulin oversee its stage division. Actors represented by Howell Management have appeared in TV series such as Puberty Blues and Home and Away, as well as films such as Fool’s Gold (starring Matthew McConaughey) and the Australian film The Sapphires.
Why choose it? Howell Management is known for its responsive communication and regular casting updates. Actors can be submitted for commercial castings, and extras work alongside film and theatre auditions.
How to apply: You can join by filling in the web form with your details and measurements and uploading a CV, headshot, and showreel.
Headed up by Brisbane-based Tony Auckland, Kubler Auckland Management represents talent across Australia – ideal if you’re keen to also work in Sydney and Melbourne. Among the well-known actors on its books are Ling Cooper Tang, known for her roles in television series like Troppo, Mystery Road: Origins, and Darby & Joan, as well as feature films such as Ticket to Paradise and A Sunburnt Christmas. Sylvie de Crespigny, who is repped by the company, has appeared in popular Australian TV series such as Offspring and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries.
Why choose it? In addition to its nationwide connections, Kubler Auckland has a separate section for voice talent, so if you’re keen to earn money as a voice actor too, this could be the agency to help that happen.
How to apply: Requests for representation must include a link to video material of your work, your CV, details of your training, and a headshot with a file size of less than 2 MB. Send this via email to: representation@kublerauckland.com.
BMEG (Better Management Entertainment Group) is one of Brisbane's most established agencies, representing talent across film, television, and commercial projects. The agency is run by Mary-Ann Vale, the company’s director/senior agent, and Raquel Bénassy, a senior agent, who each have a list of actors working in all sectors of the industry. Among the well-known actors on its books is Mitchell Hope, known for his role as Ben in Disney’s Descendants film series, and the actor and writer Adriano Cappelletta, who was the creator of ABC’s In Our Blood.
Why choose it? Unusually for an Australian agency, BMEG also represents writers, directors, and designers; if you have more than one string to your bow, this might be the agency for you.
How to apply: Keep an eye on its website for when its books open, then send your headshot, showreel, and CV to: info@bmegonline.com.
The director of Crème, Paul Newlands, has a background in acting and casting, and he previously worked as a booking agent at Ego Management for six years. His Brisbane-based agency is relatively new on the scene, having been established in 2012, but it’s quickly built a strong client list who regularly secure work in film, television, and commercials. Actors on its books have worked on films such as Thor: Ragnarok, starring Chris Hemsworth, and Unbroken, starring Jack O’Connell. Among its actors is Aliandra Calabrese, who plays Lauren Lowe in NBC’s Joe Exotic.
Why choose it? Newlands has a reputation for being a good communicator, keeping those on the books informed about industry news and updates.
How to apply: Email your application to cremetalent@gmail.com and include your CV, showreel, and headshot, plus details of your training.
Remember, performers based in Queensland are protected by a law that stipulates an agent can charge no more than 10% commission on your earnings unless they are providing additional management services, which you must have accepted in writing. These should include at least four of the following: handling of your business affairs, providing accounting advice, publicising and promoting you, providing ancillary services, providing continuing career or artistic advice, and representing you in negotiations with media, entertainment workers, or the public. Your agent should never charge a fee for preparing a CV or portfolio, or for providing advice, assistance, or training in interview preparation.
