Talent Agents

Headshot and Resume Information

I have been receiving some inquiries regarding what type of photos and resumes to send to a casting director or agent. Below is a sample of a professional actors resume and photo.

The photo should not be a school photo, glamor shot, or a snapshot taken by a non-professional photographer. The photo should be 8" X 10" in size, the resume should be cut to the exact same size and stapled back to back on the photo. When you flip the photo over, the resume should be viewable on the other side. Do NOT paper clip the resume, but staple it on all four corners. Your name and any union affiliations should be printed on the bottom of the photo, either on the border or on the corner of the photo itself. That way if by some chance the photo does become detached from the resume, the casting director can match them up again. The photo should be color and professionally taken.

Just remember that your photo is your calling card. It should represent the "real" you, the way you look in everyday life. If your hair is long in the photo, then your hair should be long when you walk in the casting office. If your skin is fair, then you should not come to the casting office with a dark tan. Always keep your photos up-to-date according to your look.

The photo can be taken either horizontal or vertical.

Sample Headshots:

Actress Cheyenne Logan

This is child actor Marcus Calderon, and he landed a national Disneyland commercial with this photo.

Sample Resume:

Click Here for a sample Beginners Resume.

One last note about your photos:

If you can't afford to pay a professional photographer to take your photos right now, you can try something else. If there is a school nearby that has a photography department, go there and see if you can do "testing". Testing is when you exchange your time posing for a photography student in exchange for them taking some theatrical headshots and giving you some prints.

Current state of Screen Actors Guild members' relationship with their agents

In April 2002, the Association of Talent Agents and the National Association of Talent Representatives (collectively, ATA) chose to terminate their decades-long relationship with Screen Actors Guild. Accordingly, these agencies informed SAG they no longer wished to be franchised by SAG.

This unfortunate decision potentially jeopardized SAG members’ relationships with these agents (and with their Guild), since SAG rules and regulations clearly dictate that any member who chooses to engage the services of an agent is required to choose from an authorized pool of franchised agents, i.e., those that continue to be regulated by the Guild. However, SAG’s National Board, wishing to acknowledge the longstanding relationships Guild members have had with their ATA agents, unanimously adopted a motion in 2002 to temporarily suspend enforcement of these membership rules, but only with respect to ATA agents.

As it currently stands, Guild members may be represented either by SAG-franchised agents (where SAG’s agency protections continue to apply) or by ATA agents (where SAG’s agency protections no longer apply). Fortunately, the SAG agency franchise continues to grow and thrive, and protects thousands of members who have chosen to sign with SAG franchised agencies.

Members who choose to be represented by ATA agencies should note that since these agencies no longer are franchised by SAG, they have no legal obligation to abide by SAG agency regulations, and many of them have chosen not to do so. SAG cannot currently enforce its agency rules against these agencies. Although members temporarily are permitted to be represented by these formerly franchised agents, they are advised not to sign the individual agency representation agreements they are presented, (i.e., general service agreements, or GSAs) without first consulting with SAG. Almost without exception, GSAs strip away most of the hard-fought protections negotiated by SAG on behalf of its performers over the years.

Diverse Talent Group UPDATE

Diverse Talent Group has been removed from this site due to no longer being active and numerous complaints.

Talent and Modeling Agent Scams

From my extensive experience in the Entertainment Industry, I have determined that the common denominator in almost all acting and modeling scams is upfront fees.

Research into U.S. laws to protect consumers has shown almost every acting and modeling agency law, regulation or rule ever enacted in America prohibits upfront fees. Precedent lawsuits against acting and modeling companies by federal and state government as well as individuals have invariably been filed against those which charged upfront fees.

One of the most recently enacted entertainment industry laws was drafted by a former child actress, who introduced the Advance-Fee Talent Services law. Sheila Kuehl did so at the request of Los Angeles City Attorney James Hahn, because his office had prosecuted modeling/talent scams cases in which "hundreds of parents paid millions of dollars in advance fees to frauds that promised that their children would become stars."

The legitimate talent agency does not charge a fee payable in advance for registering you, for resumes, for public relations services, for screen tests, for photographs, for acting lessons, or for many other services used to separate you from your money. If you are signed as a client by a legitimate talent agency, you will pay such agency nothing until you work and then 10 percent of your earnings as a performer — but nothing in advance.

The importance of securing legitimate and responsible representation cannot be emphasized enough. Agents who ask you for money up front, whether it be for a photo session, composite, head sheet or any other promotional tool, should be avoided. A reputable agent will not ask you for money until you are making money - booking work as a result of the agency has made for you. That is the time to invest in a composite and in the agency book and head sheet. Even then you will probably not be asked for funds up front. These promotional expenses will be deducted from future paychecks.

Things to Remember When Trying to Recognize a SCAM:

Agents do not advertise!
According to the indusrty's EIC Code of Ethics, talent and background agents cannot advertise to the general public.

Agents do not provide photographic services or give classes!
A reputable agent may suggest specific photographers or classes to you but cannot require you to use them.

Children and extras do not need professional-quality photos!
Babies and toddlers never need professional photos. Extras need to provide a snapshot to their agents. Children under the age of ten do not need professional photos unless they are working regularly.

An agent cannot guarantee work!
An agent who tells you that they have work for you must give you a copy of the signed contract along with the details of the job (who is hiring you, what you will be paid, etc.)

Agents are not casting directors!
Agents earn commissions when their clients work. Casting directors are paid by the production and never take money from performers for any reason.

Agents specialize!
Agents usually represent actors, extras or models. Be wary if the agency claims to represent all of these categories.

A principal agent will rarely represent you if you have no experience or training!
Legitimate talent agents usually require actors to have some professional training and some theater or film experience. Only background agents will represent inexperienced people who have no training and will generally try to get them non-speaking roles as extras.

Association of Talent Agents (ATA)

THE ASSOCIATION OF TALENT AGENTS (ATA) is a Los Angeles based nonprofit trade association comprised of over 100 talent agencies primarily located in Los Angeles and New York. ATA's premiere membership includes agencies of all sizes representing artist clients in the motion picture industry, stage, television, radio, commercials and literary work. It is believed that ATA member agencies collectively represent ninety percent (90%) of the working artists. ATA member agencies collectively employ an estimated one thousand talent agents.

The birth of ATA (originally known as Artists' Managers Guild in 1937) is tied substantially to a proliferation of talent unions and guilds that formed after the Supreme Court upheld the Wagner Act. As the creative unions emerged, each sought a process to create a formal relationship between their members and the agents who represented them. ATA's founders created ATA to serve the agents by providing a needed strong united voice to represent agents' interests along with their clients.

Agency Regulations. For over sixty-seven 67 years ATA and NATR (National Association of Talent Representatives) has negotiated agreements with the talent unions and guilds. These include, Screen Actors Guild (SAG Agency Agreement terminated on April 19, 2002 for all franchised agents), the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists , Actors' Equity Association (AEA), Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Directors Guild of America (DGA). ATA and/or NATR are the named bargaining partner in the union agency regulations. These Regulations, along with the California Talent Agency Act and other applicable City and State law, create the foundation upon which the agency business operates.

Services

Agency Regulations require interpretation, construction and advice, which ATA provides to member agencies. The Regulations govern such subjects as the length of representation contracts, commissions, conflict of interest issues, dispute resolution and numerous other issues that affect the agency business. ATA maintains a running dialog with all the unions and guilds and state officials.

ATA is involved in the dispute resolution provided for in various agency regulations and contracts. In some cases, ATA runs a dispute resolution system with Union and Guilds and is currently involved in setting up new procedures post the SAG Agency Franchise termination.

ATA helps member companies, on a daily basis, with commission grievances, contract interpretation and agent employee changes as well as referrals relating to bonds, insurance, health care and more.

ATA's Newsletter and website are great sources, providing up to date information on events affecting talent agencies. The newsletter reports on recent court decisions and ATA's representation of agency interests before the state legislature. ATA takes positions on oral contract disputes, copyright, tax issues, immigration, minors and a host of other matters.

Agents are informed about ATA sponsored symposiums, arbitration decisions, disputes within unions and guilds, new technology and more. ATA's unique tracking system is available for its members' use. The system provides information regarding residual compensation paid to actors under certain circumstances. ATA also offers an online service for locating the ATA (or NATR) agent of an actor. Go to Actor's Agent Search on the ATA website.

SAG Franchised Agents: Phoenix/Tuscon/Scottsdale, AZ

	Black Agency, Robert
	4032 N. MILLER ROAD, NO. 104, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85251
	480-966-2537
	Type: Full Service (All Ages)

	Dani's Agency
	ONE EAST CAMELBACK ROAD, SUITE 550, PHOENIX, AZ 85012
	602-263-1918

	Fosi's Talent Agency
	2777 N CAMPBELL AVENUE, #209, TUCSON, AZ 85719
	520-795-3534

	Leighton Agency, Inc
	10049 EAST DYNAMITE BLVD SUITE #D125, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85262
	602-224-9255

	S.I.M. Model/Talent Agency
	4554 E INVERNESS AVE STE 134, MESA, AZ 85206
	480-213-0129
	Type: Full Service (All Ages)

	Signature Models & Talent
	2600 N. 44TH ST., SUITE #209, PHOENIX, AZ 85008-1521
	480-966-1102

SAG Franchised Agents: Boston, MA

	Maggie, Inc.
	35 NEWBURY STREET, BOSTON, MA 02116
	617-536-2639

	Model Club, Inc.
	329 COLUMBUS AVE, BOSTON, MA 02116
	617-247-9020
	Type: Full Service - Youth

	Vision Talent Agency
	160 OLD DERBY STREET, SUITE 334A, HINGHAM, MA 02043
	781-749-3077
	Type: Full Service (All Ages)

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.

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