Choosing an Agent

Essentials

Before you sign any representation agreement with an agency, read and consider the arrangement carefully. What are the agent's responsibilities? What are your responsibilities?

ACTRA cannot recommend agent or agencies. For your convenience we provide a list of agents who have joined an Entertainment Industry Coalition and signed a Code of Ethical Conduct. You may want to review or download this Code for discussion and comparison against any representation agreement you consider.

Tips

Make sure you understand and agree when and how much you will pay your agent. Members should provide ACTRA with an Agent Authorization Form.

Do your research: ask other performers about their experiences with this agent. Is what you are agreeing to fair? Review some information on protecting yourself.

The agencies listed here are members of the Entertainment Industry Coalition (EIC), a self-regulating group that promotes a code of ethics for talent and modelling agencies.

A (T) next to an agency's name means that it is a member of TAMAC, the Talent Agents and Managers Association of Canada. You can email TAMAC at tamac@canadafilm.com.

Role of the EIC

The EIC (Entertainment Industry Coalition) was formed in early 1996 to deal with the problem of unethical talent agents. Their work grew from the experience of AMIS, The Acting and Modelling Information Service, an industry watchdog and information provider established in 1995 by entertainment and fashion industry professionals disturbed by unscrupulous agencies.

The EIC promotes a code of conduct for talent and modelling agents who want to run their businesses in an ethical manner.

If you believe your talent agent has violated the EIC Code of Ethical Conduct and/or acted in an unethical manner, please fill out the Agent Complaint Form.

For Agents

If you're an agent who would like to apply for membership in the EIC, please download and complete an EIC application form and submit it as directed.