SAG Franchised Agents: Chigaco, Il

	Ambassador Talent Agents
	333 N. MICHIGAN AVE, SUITE 910, CHICAGO, IL 60601
	312-641-3491

	Aria Model & Talent Mgmt.
	1017 W WASHINGTON STREET, #2C, CHICAGO, IL 60607
	312-243-9400

	BMG Talent Group
	456 NORTH MAY, CHICAGO, IL 60622
	312-829-9100
	Type: Full Service (All Ages)

	Baker & Rowley Talent Agency, Inc.
	3106 S RACINE AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60608
	312-850-4700
	Type: Full Service (All Ages)

	Big Mouth Talent
	935 W. CHESTNUT, SUITE 415, CHICAGO, IL 60622
	312-421-4400
	Type: Full Service (All Ages)

	Charlie's Talent Agency
	1350 OLD SKOKIE ROAD, STE. 201, HIGHLAND PARK, IL 60035
	847-831-8833
	Type: Full Service (All Ages)

	DeSanti Talents Inc
	700 N GREEN STREET, SUITE 503, CHICAGO, IL 60622
	312-666-1677
	Type: Full Service (All Ages)

	E T A Inc
	7558 S CHICAGO AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60619
	773-752-3955
	Type: Commercial

	Encore Talent Agency, Inc.
	1732 W HUBBARD STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60622
	312-738-0230

	Ford Talent Group, Inc.
	1017 WEST WASHINGTON, SUITE 2C, CHICAGO, IL 60607-2119
	312-243-9400
	Type: Full Service (All Ages)

	Geddes Agency
	1633 N. HALSTED STREET, SUITE 300, CHICAGO, IL 60614
	312-787-8333
	Type: Television/Theatrical - Adult

	Grossman & Jack Talent, Inc.
	230 EAST OHIO STREET, SUITE #200, CHICAGO, IL 60611
	312-587-1155
	Type: Full Service (All Ages)

	Hamilton, Shirley
	333 E ONTARIO, SUITE B, CHICAGO, IL 60611
	312-787-4700

	Iris Talent Agency, LLC
	1932 S. HALSTED #403, CHICAGO, IL 60608
	312-563-1005
	Type: Full Service (All Ages)

	Jennifer's Talent Unlimited Inc
	740 N. PLANKINTON SUITE 300, MILWAUKEE, WI 53203
	414-277-9440
	Type: Full Service (All Ages)

	Lily`s Talent Agency
	1301 W. WASHINGTON, SUITE B, CHICAGO, IL 60607
	312-601-2345

	Moore Creative Talent, Inc.
	1610 WEST LAKE STREET, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55408
	612-827-3823
	Type: Full Service (All Ages)

	Naked Voices, Inc.
	865 NORTH SANGAMON AVENUE, SUITE 415, CHICAGO, IL 60622
	312-563-0136
	Type: Commercial - Adult

	Stewart Talent Management
	58 WEST HURON, CHICAGO, IL 60610
	312-943-3131
	Type: Full Service (All Ages)

	Wehmann Models/Talent, Inc.
	1128 HARMON PLACE 202, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55403
	612-333-6393
	Type: Full Service (All Ages)

	Wilson Talent, Arlene, Inc
	430 W ERIE STREET, SUITE #210, CHICAGO, IL 60610
	312-573-0200

How Much Do Talent Agents Make?

Agents get 10% commission from your income after you work. Now figure if Bruce Willis' agent books him on a job, and Bruce makes $25,000,000 per film, then the agent gets TEN PERCENT after taxes. That would be roughly $1,700,000 for booking Bruce Willis on that job.

But of the hundreds and hundreds of Agents and Sub-Agents in the business, only a tiny fraction of agents make over a million bucks a year. Most agents make less than $30,000 a year, and many don't even make a living off of it, they have other means of finances that allow them to be agents.

There is a HUGE turnover of agents who are starting out within the first two years of becoming an agent because it is extremely hard to become a successful professional Theatrical and/or Commercial Talent Agent. The "average" annual income of a Talent Agent (including these sub-agents, associate-agents, etc.) is roughly $25,000 per year.

What is Commissionable by Your Agent?

Independent Agents

If your agents are Independent (i.e., not affiliated with either ATA and/or NATR), and therefore still franchised by SAG, then these agents (as well as the SAG members they represent) continue to be protected by and bound to the terms and conditions of Rule 16(g). Hundreds of SAG franchised agents across the country have maintained their on-going relationship with SAG, and continue to loyally serve SAG’s members pursuant to the requirements of Rule 16(g). Any standard SAG agency contract you sign with an Independent Agency may be filed with, and processed by, the Guild.

How Film and Television Shows Are Cast

The Film and Television Studios give the "green light" for movies and TV shows to be produced.

Then the production companies hire casting directors, who in turn send out "breakdowns" of the characters being cast.

These "breakdowns" actually are sent out by a service called "Breakdown Services" and are only available to licensed Talent Agencies.

Then the agents at these agencies submit photos, resumes, and sometimes "demo-reels" to the casting directors.

Then the casting directors call in the actors that fit the roles they are casting, usually many many actors are called in.

Then they narrow it down to the best actors who came in and "call back" these actors to read again for the director, sometimes the writer, producer, etc.. Then they narrow it down further, and sometimes there are 3 - 4 "call backs" before an actor is finally hired.

Do I Need An Agent To Be Cast?

Although it is possible to be cast on a show or film with out having an agent, it is very difficult. This usually only happens with smaller roles, and of course with extras. The studios usually only deal with reputable licensed talent agencies when casting acting roles.

In addition, agents are the only ones who receive the "breakdowns" of what roles are being cast at a given time. And in most instances, a studio or production company will not negotiate a contract directly with talent.

I have personally landed several acting roles by randomly sending in my photo and resume to casting directors when I did not have an agent, but it is not common to land roles in this manner.

However, I do recommend sending in to casting directors randomly because you never know if they will be looking for your exact type when they receive your photo and resume.

Important Safety Information

Do NOT incude a home address when sending out your photo and resume. I always recommend using a PO BOX.

Also, NEVER meet someone outside of a professional environment such as a studio, agents, or casting office. Do NOT meet someone at a restaurant, private residence, etc. You should ALWAYS let someone else know EXACTLY where you are going, WHO you are meeting, and WHEN you are going there.

And a parent or guardian must ALWAYS accompany minors. A parent or guardian should NEVER be out of eyesight of the minor, whether it be at auditions or on set.

Talent Agents