SHOOT ME NOW: Real Talk with Real People in the Entertainment Industry
Inside the Mind of a Talent Manager: Jackie Reid on Auditions, Accountability, and Why Representation Still Matters
So, I’m starting a series of interviews (SHOOT ME NOW) in which I’ll speak with entertainment industry professionals about acting, the business, and—of course—how photography plays a role.
Shoot Me Now Interview with Jackie Reid.
This is for actors at all levels. You’ll get advice whether you're just starting or have been at it for a while. I’ll also talk with directors, agents, managers, acting coaches, and the occasional photographer.
For the first episode, I called up someone I’ve known and trusted for over a decade: Jackie Reid, founder of Lil Angels Unlimited. Jackie’s one of those people who tells it like it is. She manages talent from age four to forever (literally—she has clients in their 80s). She's shaped careers for 30 years and still tears up when someone books a gig. That tells you everything.
I’ll admit it—I was nervous before the interview. My producer gave me the “you got this” pep talk, and Jackie instantly made me feel at ease. The result? A real, no-fluff conversation that’s full of gold for anyone in the industry.
Here’s some of what we covered:
On how it all started
Jackie got into this because of her daughter. Ashley was booking everything, and when her original manager passed away, other parents and agents encouraged Jackie to jump in. Next thing she knew, strangers were asking her to rep their kids. Lil Angels was born.
On how the industry’s changed
Self-tapes. That’s the biggest shift. When Jackie started, you had to be in New York or L.A. and physically show up for auditions. Now? You could live in Iowa and still book a national ad. While she misses the in-person energy, she admits the pros of taping at home—do-overs, feedback, and less schlepping to auditions.
On why people don’t book
Jackie doesn’t sugarcoat. If you’re consistently late, unresponsive, or skipping classes, you’re making her job impossible. She’ll try a pep talk first. But if you don’t meet her halfway, you’re out. There are too many hungry actors ready to step in.
But here’s the flip side—the part that keeps her going:
“The highlight, honestly, is telling someone they booked something. Doesn’t matter if they’re, you know, 10 or I have a woman who’s in her eighties—and they cry and they are just so emotional and it’s literally their dream come true.”
That’s why she puts in the work. It’s also why she expects her clients to do the same.
On representation
She’s passionate about making room for actors with ADHD, OCD, Down syndrome—anyone historically left out. Her goal: to get people in the room who should be there, not just actors pretending to be someone they’re not.
On what makes a good headshot
This part was fun. I asked her how she picks shots from a session. She said parents often choose the “wall-worthy” one—the beautiful smile, the sweet face. Jackie? She picks the photo that sells. It’s not about being pretty. It’s about personality. About showing casting directors who you are before you even walk into the room.
“If you have a beautiful kid, that’s great, but we also need personality, especially what I do. We specialize in film and TV and theater, and we need personality, and we need to see the personality in the photo.”
That’s what a headshot has to do. It has to stop someone mid-scroll. It has to get you the audition. Otherwise, it’s just a nice photo.
She said something that stuck with me: “You are what gets them in the room. We’ll take it from there.”
Watch it
Jackie’s insights are honest, sharp, and full of heart. Whether you’re new to acting or sending your kid on auditions, give it a watch. You'll walk away with practical advice—and a better sense of what this business really takes.
🎥 Watch the full interview here