Reality Check
Types of Agents
Principal Talent Agents
Background Talent Agents
How Do I Find a Good Agent?
Questions to
Ask A potential Agent
Avoiding Unethical Agents
Ensuring You Recieve the Best Representation
Reality Check
A talent agent's main responsibilities are to get work for her/his clients
and negotiate her/his client's engagement contracts on their behalf - it's that
simple.
Your agent is also the first person
you should call when you run into on-set problems or you haven't been paid. If
your agent cannot resolve the issue by speaking with the production directly -
that's when she/he should contact the ACTRA Toronto steward who's responsible
for the production.
Please note: If your on-set problem
involves unsafe working conditions that put you or your fellow performers in physical
danger, you have the right to refuse unsafe work. If you need any help, call ACTRA
Toronto Performers (416-928-2278) or your agent immediately.
 
Types of Agents
There are two types of talent agents. Principal agents handle performers who do
principal and actor speaking roles. Background agents generally just get people
background work, although some of them do try to get auditions for principal and
actor roles for their clients.
Principal Talent
Agents
Getting a good talent agent is difficult if not impossible unless you have skill,
dedication and have demonstrated your professionalism. Because agents are in the
business to make money, they will only take clients who will represent them well
at auditions. Agents are reluctant to "take chances" on people who have no experience
or can't demonstrate that they are serious about what they are doing. A lot of
people try every year to break into acting - most drop out when they realize that
it's hard work - so if you're serious about it, you have to stick out from the
crowd.
How do you show a principal
agent you are serious? Training, education and experience are three
of the things principal agents look for. They shy away from people who
are trying to get in the business for the wrong reasons. Having a prospective
client say, "I just want to be famous" or "I know I can be a star,"
for example, is a sure warning sign to agents that they're dealing with
someone who has no idea about how the business really works.
Principal agents charge
15% commission on all gross fees (10% for theatre work) and sometimes
charge small additional fees for couriers, photocopying, etc.
Background
Talent Agents
Background agents value professionalism - but they are most interested in representing
large numbers of people they know will show up on time and do a good job. Background
agencies usually charge a small up-front registration fee (less than $100) and
collect between 10% and 15% of your gross fees as compensation when they get you
work.
How Do I Find
a Good Agent?
To hook up with a good principal agent, you need a package that says who you are
and what you can do as a professional. This usually includes a professional headshot
and a performing resume, but can also include letters from performance instructors,
press clippings about your work or any other documentation that shows you know
what you're doing.
Don't be discouraged when
agents turn you down - there is a lot of rejection involved in working
as a performer, so get used to it. When an agent says, "No," it might
have little to do with your skills as a performer. It might be that
the agent has several people of your age, look and experience and doesn't
need another client.
Finding a good agent can
take a lot of time - there are no short cuts - you have to be careful
that you don't become a victim of the small number of scam agencies
that are out there. Background agencies are usually much more open to
signing you on - but remember that the roster of performers represented
by background agents can run into the thousands. Background talent agents
also want professionals who will show up and do a good job. They are
not usually interested in acting skills such as the ability to learn
and perform lines or audition techniques.
Questions to
Ask A potential Agent
How many performers do you represent?
The more performers an agent represents, the less time they can devote to you.
How many of your clients
are in my age range and have my look?
If an agent has several performers in your range, he/she may not send
you out for every suitable role.
Do your clients have access
to breakdown lists?
By looking at breakdown lists issued by the casting directors you can
make sure you're auditioning for every suitable role.
How long have you been
in the business?
You should consider the experience your agent is bringing to the table
if he/she has just started in the business.
Do you give your clients
an annual financial account?
Since performers' cheques are often forwarded to their agents, it is
important that you receive an annual record of your earnings.
Do you require your clients
to sign a limited power-of-attorney?
When negotiating your agent contract you can stipulate that the agent
has limited authority to sign contracts and act on your behalf. If you
give someone (your agent) full power-of-attorney, you are giving him/her
full control over your personal, business and financial affairs.
WARNING: Make sure you
read all your contracts thoroughly and ask questions about everything
you don't understand.
Avoiding Unethical
Agents
The most important thing to remember is that talent agents make money when you
work. They don't make money from selling you lessons, photos or Internet portfolios
or from charging you high up-front fees for representation. Be wary of a talent
agent that you learned about in a paper or magazine - except for background agents
who state they are EIC members in their ads, reputable agents don't advertise.
ACTRA Toronto does not endorse or recommend talent agencies.
However, there are a number of industry organizations that agencies can belong to if they have agreed to abide by a code of conduct and are vetted by their peers in the industry.
Some agencies are members of one of the following self-regulating industry organizations:
- The Entertainment Industry Coalition
(EIC) represents 95% of Toronto agencies, including all TAMAC and EICAA members. Agents who are members of the EIC are screened and have agreed to follow the EIC Code of Conduct.
- TAMAC is the Talent Agents and Managers Association of Canada and its members are some of Canada’s top-notch agents.
- The EICAA (EIC Agency Association) is another self-regulating organization of professional agents who are members of the EIC and follow the EIC Code of Conduct.
All agencies listed in ACTRA Toronto’s directory are members of the EIC and have signed the EIC Code of Conduct.
(T) the agency is also a member of TAMAC.
(EICAA) the agency is also a member of the EICAA.
Ensuring You
Recieve the Best Representation
Once you've found an agent, it's your responsibility to make sure she/he represents
you properly. If you feel you're not getting the service from your agent you deserve,
let her/him know how you feel. If nothing changes - find new representation.
For more advice on finding an agent as well as standard fees and costs in the entertainment
industry, contact the Acting Modelling and
Information Service
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