{"id":19021,"date":"2016-01-23T16:08:44","date_gmt":"2016-01-23T21:08:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/creator\/?p=19021"},"modified":"2020-03-30T19:27:00","modified_gmt":"2020-03-30T23:27:00","slug":"get-that-cool-job-talent-agent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/professional-development\/get-that-cool-job-talent-agent","title":{"rendered":"Get That Cool Job: talent agent"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When people hear the words \u201ctalent agent,\u201d they might think of Ari Gold, the high-strung manager from Entourage<\/em>, yelling at someone on the phone. But throwing temper tantrums and hanging out with hot models around the pool are not exactly an accurate picture of the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, being an agent requires determination, the ability to negotiate, and unending devotion to your clients. Though it\u2019s a tough job, there are a lot of perks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The biggest perk? Top agents can make up to $10 million per year<\/a>, according to the Hollywood Reporter<\/em>. A more realistic salary is $50,000 to $65,000 for those just starting out, and $200,000 for senior agents who\u2019ve been in the industry for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke with a few talent agents based in the Los Angeles area about what their daily schedules entail, how they got to where they are, and what advice they have for aspiring agents. Here are their tips for success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exercise patience and tolerance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Being a talent agent requires that you have both logistical and people skills. You must be able to juggle day-to-day tasks and everybody\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cManaging different types of personalities on a daily basis is very challenging,\u201d says Rachele Fink Richardson, department director at SBV Talent<\/a>, a commercial talent agency. \u201cPatience is a necessary quality to be an agent. Our attention and time is invested in each of our talent, so we are constantly balancing their changing schedules and egos.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also no guarantees in this business. Projects might be called off or changed at any moment, so you\u2019re always hustling to find your clients that next job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe can land a client a great audition, and they get themselves a callback and are even put on hold for the job,\u201d says Allison Sweeney, a commercial agent at Clear Talent Group<\/a>. \u201cBut at the last minute, the director or producer might decide to go with an actor who might be two inches shorter or taller. The factors contributing to a booking can be endless. It can be frustrating to know that you\u2019re doing your job to the best of your ability, but your hands are tied when it comes to the end result.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be prepared to stick by your computer and phone<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a talent agent, you have to be a great talker and communicator. This means that you must be connected at all hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am constantly keeping an eye out for new projects to pitch my clients on, and checking my email basically 24 hours a day,\u201d says Sweeney.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agents are sent information about jobs from casting and talent bookers throughout the day, according to Richardson. That keeps her glued to her computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSubmitting our talent and pitching talent fills up most of our days,\u201d she says. \u201cTracking down our actors and getting them to their auditions is a process, but our talent is very on it, for the most part.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sharpen your negotiation skills<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You have to have some fight in you to procure any job in Hollywood. It\u2019s one of the toughest businesses around, and you must be prepared to stick up for your talent and duel it out until you get what you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A big part of a talent agent\u2019s job is being the voice for the talent, and securing them the pay they deserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy first priority is to obtain as many auditions as possible for our clients, and to negotiate their contracts,\u201d says Sweeney. \u201cI actually love negotiating and re-negotiating projects, because it\u2019s when we can really get our clients top dollar and conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schmooze all the time<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As an agent, you have to be good at socializing. You must schmooze to get a job, and then spend your days talking to producers, talent directors, and anyone else in the industry that can take your talent to another level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To get started as an agent, Sweeney recommends doing as many agency internships as possible while you\u2019re in college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBy the time you graduate,\u201d says Sweeney, \u201cyou\u2019ll have an entire Rolodex of contacts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sweeney also says that it\u2019s crucial to learn how to work the room when you\u2019re at an industry event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNever dismiss the power of networking and attend as many industry events as possible. Once you\u2019re hired as an assistant, take every opportunity to learn from your boss, and double your previous efforts to network.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When people hear the words \u201ctalent agent,\u201d they might think of Ari Gold, the high-strung manager from Entourage, yelling at someone on the phone. But throwing temper tantrums and hanging out with hot models around the pool are not exactly an accurate picture of the job. Instead, being an agent requires determination, the ability to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1498,"featured_media":19024,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[43902],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19021","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-professional-development"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nGet That Cool Job: talent agent<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We spoke with talent agents about how they got to where they are and what advice they have for newcomers. 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