Talent agent
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A talent agent, or booking agent, is a person who
finds jobs for actors, authors, Film
directors, musicians, models, producers, Professional athletes,
Writers
and other people in various entertainment
businesses. Agents make their money by taking 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.
The top talent agencies
Acting and modeling
agents
Actors may be interested in working theatrically (stage, film or television)
as well as in commercials. Some 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 his/her project. Usually, an agent submits the actor's head
shot or the model's composite card or portfolio to the buyer. After the buyer has made choices,
the agent then arranges an audition (or for models, a "go-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. 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.
Well-known current and former talent agents include Ari
Emanuel, Lew Wasserman, Johnny
Hyde, Sue Mengers, Freddie Fields, David Begelman, and Irving "Swifty" Lazar.
Top Modeling agencies
In order to qualify as a top modeling agency, there are certain
criteria:
1. The agency must be located in a top fashion capital for the simple
reason that the most lucrative and prestigious modeling assignments are
there. These cities include: New York, Milan, Paris, London, Tokyo,
Sydney, Rome, Los Angeles, Prague, Toronto, São Paulo and Barcelona.
2. The agency is well-known and respected in the fashion industry and
has a good reputation, insofar, as monitoring agencies or governing
bodies in their respective country, like the Better Business Bureau in the US and the
association of fashion designers and the group handling the city's
fashion week.
3. The agency has directly provided a model with a lucrative
assignment for a top fashion design house (for example Gucci, Dolce
& Gabbana, Calvin Klein, Prada, Valentino and Giorgio Armani among
others).
Some of the top modeling agencies in the world are:
- DNA Model Management - New York City
- Elite Model Management - New York
City, Los Angeles, Miami, Toronto, Chicago and Atlanta
- Ford Models - New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco,
Paris, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Toronto, Chicago and Milwaukee
- IMG
Models - New York City, Paris, London, Milan, Hong Kong
- Marilyn Agency - Paris
- Models 1 - London
- One Management - New York City
- Premier Model Management - London
- New York Model Management - New
York City
- NEXT Model Management - New York City
and Paris
- Select Model Management - London
- Storm Model Agency -
London
- Viva Models - Paris, Barcelona and London
- Wilhelmina Models - New York City
- Women Model Management - New York City
- Why Not Model Agency - Milan
It should be noted that aside from "fashion" modeling, many agencies
specialize in commercial advertising that do not require high fashion
models. This can be located in any region where print ads are produced.
They often fill calls for product packaging, catalogues, textbooks,
billboards, etc which require a more "real person" look or even a
"character" look. Chicago, for example, has a large need for these types
of models although little call for high fashion models.
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.
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.
Scam agents
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.
Music managers
A music manager (or band manager) handles many career issues for bands and singers and, on occasion, even DJs.
A music manager is hired by a musician or band to help with determining
decisions related to career moves, bookings, promotions, business
deals, recording contracts, etc. The role of music managers is extensive
and may include similar duties to that of a press agent, promoter,
booking agent, business manager (who are usually certified
public accountants), tour
managers, and sometimes even a personal assistant. Responsibilities of a business
manager are often divided among many who manage various aspects of a
musical career. With an unsigned act, music managers have to assume
multiple roles: booking agent, graphic designer, publicist,
promoter, and accountant.[1].
As an artist's career develops, responsibilities grow. A music manager
becomes important to managing the many different pieces that make up a
career in music. The manager can assist singers, songwriters,
and instrumentalists in molding a career, finding music producers, and developing relationships with record companies, publishers, agents,
and the music-loving public. The duties of an active music manager will
focus on a developing a reputation for the musician(s) and building a
fan base, which may include mastering and launching a demo CD,
developing and releasing press kits, planning promotional activities,
and booking shows. A music manager will gain access to a recording
studio, photographers, and promotions. He or she will see that CD
labels, posters, and promotional materials appropriately represent the
band or artist, and that press kits are released in a timely manner to
appropriate media. Launching a CD with complementary venues and dates is
also a music manager’s responsibility.
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.
See also
Entertainment unions
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