Why do I need an agent?
An agent is someone known to the casting community, with qualified references which enable them to promote and endorse your talents to the industry. An agent has information on projects that are currently casting, even ones that haven’t been posted online or are restricted from public knowledge. An agent can also weed out the legitimate jobs from the not-so legitimate. As a performer, you need someone to speak on your behalf; this includes but is not limited to negotiating rates, terms and contracts as well as coordinating auditions and booking schedules with casting directors. Agents are responsible for making sure you get paid fairly and can also help guide your career in the direction you want it to go. Having an agent releases the burden of dealing with the business side of things and lets your creative side flourish. You are responsible for keeping in touch with your talent agent, whether its about updating your resume, photos, demo reels, current looks, availability etc. If they don’t know you changed your look drastically from your photos, they will continue submitting you to roles where your look does not apply, which effects casting directors and causes conflicts. Agents should not have to tolerate an individual who does not take care of themselves, frequently ignores casting calls or changes their look or profile info without telling them. We have a reputation to uphold and we expect the same level of professionalism in return.
Whats the difference between and agent and a manager?
Talent Agents: Agents tend to have a lot of clients, sometimes hundreds. There are some agents who only sign specific types of clients like actors, models, writers, comedians, models or children. They may have a lot of clients but they also have great relationships with casting directors and can get you into more auditions than you could ever get on your own. There are four different size agencies; boutique, bi-coastal, mid-size corporate and corporate.
Managers: Managers will make you sign a contract and tend to have less clients, usually about 5. Having less clients allows them to focus more personally on the ones they have. They are more likely to go through a gallery of 300 photos to choose a headshot with you or help you pick what to wear to an audition. Managers can give you a little more TLC than big corporate agencies.
How do I get my kids involved?
If you think you have a talented child, the first step would be to gather all your best selfies or portrait photos you may have and submit them here: tnmodelandtalent.com/talent-submission. If the agency director feels you may have some potential we will contact you for a meeting/mock audition at our office! We accept applications from all ages!
Feel free to send us any fun and creative videos of them introducing themselves, playing with toys, doing impersonations or scripted acting!
What should I wear to an audition?
Actors: Often times audition breakdowns have what they want you to wear already on them but on the off chance they don’t specify, wear clothes that compliment your best features. If it’s going to be on camera wear solid colours, avoid stripes and sparkles. Most of all just dress comfortably and as yourself.
Models: Women, wear a form fitting black dress and heels. Men, a fitted black t-shirt and black pants.
Do I Need Professional Photos?
Absolutely. There is little to no chance that you will ever be taken seriously by any casting director or potential client. Having clean, edited/retouched photos taken by a qualified and experienced photographer makes all the difference in the world. If you are a beginner, its an essential first step as it shows clients and casting directors that you’ve worked with a photographer, learned posing techniques and were able to take direction in an actual studio environment.
Models: A modeling portfolio is a series of photos that best showcases your skills, usually in a 9×12 book. Ideally, you shouldn’t have photos more than a year old in your portfolio. It’s better to have a few really great photos rather than a lot of just-okay photos. As a new model you should have 4 to 12 edited/retouched photos in your portfolio. A more established model should have between 10 to 25. Models should always be taking selfies/polaroids and seek creative shoots with different photographers so that your portfolio is diverse and accessible.
Actors: You should at least do a headshot session with a photographer and have final 8×10 photos ready to go, both digitally and printed. Put together a reel of your best acting and get some really good headshots that show your personality and range of emotions/expressions. We also recommend that actors get some full-body shots so that you can be considered for commercial advertising as well.
What are the requirements for a runway model?
For high fashion and runway modeling, women should be 5’9″ or taller and men must be 6”0 and above. Measurements for women need to be 34 – 24 – 34 and 38 jacket, 31 waist for men.
The difference between editorial modelling and commercial modelling?
Commercial models: Appear in national/international print and digital advertising, commercials and catalogs. Generally, there are usually no height or weight restrictions for commercial ads, unless specified by the casting director/client.
Editorial models: Appear on magazine covers, spreads and fashion shows. The requirements for an editorial model are the same as a runway model.
