Being a Talent Agent

October 30, 2006 4:25 PM

What does running a talent agency entail?

I have so many friends and acquaintances with such varied talents left undiscovered (except by me and few others) - that sometimes I want to start a talent agency, promote their skills, and get them noticed by people who can give them opportunities. Thing is, I know next to nothing about how talent agencies work.

What, specifically, do they do? Do they go headhunting for talented people, or do the people come to them? How do they connect with the opportunity-givers - or do those people come to the agency too? What sort of talent agencies are out there? How do they operate their business - where do they earn their money? Do you need a company or can you work independently?

Any links, information, and resources greatly appreciated. I have some ideas, but I'd like to know more about what talent agenting really is before I start anything. Thanks!

posted by divabat to work & money (2 comments total)

What do you mean by "talent agency"?

The only use of the term I know is how it's used in entertainment, specifically, folks that do entertainment for corporate events, picnics, etc.

There you have people who are generally already working professionally and they agree to contracted for gigs. Then you promote your agency and talent, mostly through mass-mailing to largeish corporations. They call you, you arrange what they want (e.g. a juggler, a band) and you take a cut.

This doesn't seem to be quite what you're asking for, though. What you seem to be asking is "I know a girl who makes a great apple pie, and a guy who fixes computers, and someone who does voices, how can we all get rich?"

If I knew the answer to that, I'd be answering from my laptop on the beach in Tahiti, if at all.
posted by dagnyscott at 4:40 PM on October 30, 2006

Well, I'll take a shot at this. I'm an actor, but I don't have an agent at the moment (I'm still a student).

However, my understanding of acting agents is as follows:

An acting agents needs to have contacts in the industry so that they'll know when a new production is coming up and when auditions are happening, regardless of if the auditions are publically advertised. The agent must then push for the performers they represent and attempt to have their performers be seen by the producer/director of the production. If their actor gets the part, the agent will receive a cut of the pay, generally 10% or so. Actors DO NOT pay their agents in any other way, unless the agency is sketchy.

Agencies find their performers by going to shows, going to showcases at schools, and occasionally by following up on packages (pictures, resumes, demo tapes etc) sent in by actors looking for representation.

Somebody with more experience can no doubt give a better answer than this.
posted by stray at 5:54 PM on October 30, 2006