What are the roles of Talent Agents, Talent Managers, and Casting Directors?
Talent Agents
A Talent Agent is a person who finds jobs for their clients. An agent makes their money by earning a percentage of the money their client is paid. Typically agents specialize in either theatrical, commercial, or print work.
If you are fortunate enough to gain agent representation…congratulations! Your agent will submit you for all those coveted auditions, and he/she can help build your career and take it down the paths you desire. When breakdowns come in, your agent submits you for the parts you are appropriate for. Talent Agents have the authority to make and negotiate deals for their clients. If you are hired for a project, your agent will coordinate the details, as well as negotiate the pay or the contract. A talent agent is responsible for knowing your strengths and selling them – as well as finding opportunities for work and negotiating the best contract.
Talent Managers
A Talent Manager is a person who guides the professional career of an actor. The responsibility of the manager is to oversee the day-to-day business affairs of the actor and to advise on professional matters and long-term decisions that may affect their career. Often times, a manager may assist their talent in finding an agent, or advise their talent to cease working with their current agent and find new representation. Unlike an agent, managers are prohibited by law from negotiating contracts. A legitimate manager earns only commission on what the actor earns.
Casting Directors
A Casting Director is the person in charge of, or responsible for, the process of selecting candidates to be “cast” in a production. A Casting Director is hired by the producers of a show or a project to find their talent. Casting Directors are the people agents submit their talent to and to whom the actors audition for. Essentially the goal of the casting director is to employ people who will fit with the director’s, and possibly the producer’s, artistic ambitions. Usually, actors go through several casting calls to secure a role.
