Talent agent
A talent agent, or booking agent, is a person who finds jobs for actors, musicians, models, and other people in various entertainment businesses. Agents make their money by making a percentage of the money that their client is paid. There are different regulations that govern different types of agents that are established by artist's unions and the legal jurisdiction in which the agent operates. There are also professional organizations that license talent agencies.
[edit] Acting and modeling agents
Actors may be interested in working theatrically (stage, film or television) as well as in commercials. Agents will handle all types of acting work while others may specialize in a particular area. There are agents who represent television, voice-overs, or just film and television. Typically, the larger the agency, the more specialized the agents.
An agent has two sets of clients: the "talent" (actors, models, voice-over artists, etc) and the "buyer". The buyer can be a casting director, advertising agency, production company, photographer, or direct client if the client has an "in-house" production staff. Agents promote talent to the buyers, submitting talent that have the appropriate age, race, sex, look, talent, etc. that the buyer is seeking for her project. Usually, an agent submits the actor's head shot or the model's composite card or portfolio to the buyer. After buyer make choices, the agent then arranges an audition (or for models, a "look-see" or open call). After the buyer has met the talent, the buyer will contact the agent if any of the talent will be hired. The agent will coordinate the details of wardrobe, directions, etc as well as negotiate the contract or pay.
Note that the agent's job is to get the talent auditions; the talent is the only one who can get the job. For their work, agents take a 10 to 20% commission of the gross, depending if the job is union (such as SAG-AFTRA) or not. Union jobs are paid per negotiated guidelines, but sometimes in non-union jobs the pay is delayed.
A well established agent will have a number of contacts. Also, agents have access to Breakdown Services.[citation needed] Breakdown Services allows them to see many roles that casting directors are seeking, often on a national level. These are not available to the general public.
[edit] Music agents
In the music world, booking agents are different from talent managers. Booking agents are the people that actually book shows for the artists they represent. They make all of the arrangements with the promoters of the shows. The booking agent presents the promoter or producer of the concert with a performance agreement, which stipulates the artist’s requirements. Items may include lighting, sound,meals, hotel accommodations, and transportation. For concert buyers, they work to find the right artist that will fit in the need and available budget.
Many of the major booking agencies refuse to represent clients who are not already signed to a major record label and have national distribution of their music. Because of this, artists on independent record labels often seek representation with an independent booking agency.
Bars and nightclubs that specialize in presenting live music on a regular basis often employ an individual to assemble the schedule of events. These people are the venue’s buyers, and should not be confused with the booking agent, who presents their roster of available acts to the buyer. Booking agents may also have contacts known as free-lance promoters. These are individuals that agree to produce a concert by locating a venue, providing a sound system and assembling a staff. Producing a show in this manner, at a location that is rented out for a single evening, is called “four-walling,” as it entails renting a venue and receiving no additional services or technical equipment other than the space itself. This has often been the only available option for underground musicians lacking enough popular appeal to gain access to more conventional performance venues (see: Punk Rock), but is also used among the genre of raves and various DJ-related events.
The cost factor of having a booking agent has to be weighed against what they can do for clients and buyers alike. Some agents represent several different types of artists, while others represent artists in one main area/genre.
[edit] Writer's agents
Main article: Literary agent
[edit] Cruise ship industry
Booking agents are also used for the cruise ship industry where several different categories of entertainers are needed. These can include individual musicians to be part of the ship's orchestra, small bands and ensembles as well as variety entertainers such as singers, instrumentalists, magicians, comedians and acrobats. Artists looking to work on cruise ships will sign an employment contract with the cruise line and a separate commission contract with the booking agent.
[edit] Scam agents
Unfortunately, some people in the entertainment industry try to take advantage of newcomers. New talent is advised to research and find established agencies. No reputable agency charges for representation, but the agent may recommend steps that will cost money, especially when talent is starting out. An agency may suggest new photos or training, and may have good contacts for new talent. An advantage of having an agent is that agents will help choose the best photographers or shots to make into headshots, etc. When signing with an agency who also offer photography and workshops, talent is advised to see proof of past bookings, such as client lists and current models tearsheets from booked work. If an agency covers upfront costs, it is reimbursed for all expenses after the talent begins work.
[edit] Difference between agents and managers
- Agents have the authority to make deals for their clients. Managers usually can only informally establish connections with producers and studios, but do not have the ability to negotiate the contracts.
- Managers work more in a supportive role, giving advice for career moves.
More on Managers:
"Jane learns that knowledgeable managers
do a lot of things. They put you with an
agent who is right for you. They make sure that
the agent gets appointments for you in the first
place, remind the agent of your existence and
of your many attributes and credits. He might
say, “Don’t forget, she sings and that’s what the
role calls for,” “He’s tall and previously played
the role of a basketball player in a TV episode
so why not in that movie,” or “The film is being
directed by the same director he worked for
�
in a project last season.” Sometimes the manager
will tell the agent of a new project being
cast. If a manager had been involved in Jane’s
last audition he would have been the person
who received the pre-audition details from the
assistant directly and then, because he probably
is selective and only has a small number
of clients, he would have had the time to fully
discuss with Jane not only the vital data of the
audition but also the ins and outs of how to get
the job. Sometimes, a manager “plays agent”
and gets you auditions on his own, something
that is not only beneficial to you but helps
your agent too. Presumably, a manager knows
many casting directors and producers. What
else from a manager? He supervises the deal
making process assuring the best deal under
the circumstances occasionally employing the
technique known as “good cop/bad cop.” During
the process, he tries to keep egos of representatives
and others in check so as to prevent
deals from going south thereby preventing the
loss of a job and opportunity for growth. Also,
he or she often speaks with producers, executives,
directors and others connected with a
�
production that you are working on in order to
keep things running smoothly. A manager may
play psychologist to you. He or she is aware of
publicity and promotion needs, and might be
aware of tax breaks and of the law.
What about the essential every day
tools that an actor uses? A manager gives advice
concerning your pictures, resume, bio, and
composite tape/DVD (the “reel”). These items
are revised regularly and can be attended to
with the help of the manager.
What about considerations concerning
your physical appearance? A manager
will likely discuss appropriate audition attire,
hair, makeup, and many other items related to
your “look.” And what about your body? Ah,
your body. Unless you are a character actor,
did you ever notice how the industry is casting
women and men these days? Invariably, they
are in good shape. So, it is your job to be in
good shape. It is not good enough for the actor
or actress to say “if I get the job, I’ll lose the
weight before filming begins.” A producer or
director wants to see what he’s getting on the
spot. He or she doesn’t want to guess what you
�
will look like when shooting begins or on the
day they are taping the show. Think of it this
way: Putting off caring for your body is similar
to the person who says, “If I get a date, I’ll lose
the extra pounds.” As an actor you’re in front
of the camera so act accordingly.
As Jane learns of the manager’s many
duties she begins to understand how a manager
could be valuable to her career. The difference
between an agent and manager starts becoming
clear. Besides the various functions of
each, she realizes it even more fully when she
considers the following: since an agency represents
scores of clients and a manager only represents
a select few clients, it is logical to assume
that a manager must do something other
than just hand-holding (which is also in the job
description). She is right, of course. The manager
does do a whole lot more. He or she is on
top of the pyramid, so to speak, supervising all
of the activities of an actor’s career." (from "HOW TO GET ARRESTED": Motivational Story for Actors Breaking Into Hollywood by Michael J. Wallach.)
[edit] References
- Passman, Donald S. All You Need To Know About the Music Business: 6th Edition
- Kerr, Judy, Acting Is Everything: An Actor's Guidebook for a Successful Career in Los Angeles
- Callen, K. The Los Angeles Agent Book
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