Talent Agencies
Talent agencies represent the vast majority of working artists, including
actors, directors, writers and other artists in film, stage, television,
radio,
commercial, literary work and other entertainment enterprises.
Creating
opportunities for their clients is at the heart of what talent agencies
do.
What
makes talent agencies unique? For nearly 70 years, talent agencies have
worked in partnership with artists and their guilds to ensure their
protection and
promote their creative endeavors. Licensed and regulated by state and
local
government agencies, talent agencies are at the focal point of change in
the
industry and at the forefront of the development of new relationships for
their clients.
In an era of media consolidation and vertical integration
in
the industry, talent agencies are the artists' strongest allies.
Are talent agencies regulated? Yes. In California, for example, talent
agencies are not only licensed by the State Labor
Commissioner and subject to annual review, but the artists' contracts are
approved by the State Labor Commissioner. In contrast to many other
industry professionals, talent agencies are licensed and strictly
regulated
by state and local government agencies in California, New York and the
other
parts of the country where talent agencies do business.
Talent agencies
also work under negotiated agreements with DGA, WGA, AFTRA, Actors' Equity
and AFM. While
the SAG agreement expired in 2002, talent agencies continue to work with
actors under state-approved agency contracts.
How do talent agencies work with the guilds? Since 1937, talent agencies
have worked in partnership with artists and their
guilds to make sure that creative artists are protected in their business
relationships and negotiated agreements. Do talent agencies have
agreements
with all
the guilds at this time?
The SAG agreement expired in 2002, but agencies
continue to work with actors under state-approved agency contracts.
Talent
agencies have existing agreements covering the terms of representation
with
DGA, WGA, AFTRA, AFM and Actors' Equity. In addition, and the guilds
co-host ongoing professional development forums and seminars.
Why haven't talent agencies and SAG negotiated a new agreement? However,
talent agencies have continued to do business with actors without
disruption
under state-approved agency contracts.At the same time, talent agencies
have
negotiated a new agreement with AFTRA, has existing agreements with WGA,
Actors' Equity and AFM, and, in 2004, restated its agreement with DGA.
Since the SAG agreement expired in 2002, there have been no new
negotiations
with talent agencies.
How have talent agencies responded to the changing business dynamics of
the
entertainment industry? Talent agencies know how to operate in this new
business environment because they've been in the marketplace every day
since
1937. Mergers and acquisitions have consolidated power in the
entertainment
industry and strengthened the hand of the buyer, thus weakening the
position
of the artist.
That's why talent agencies continue to be the artist's
strongest partner. Talent agencies understand that their clients are
looking to them to provide more services and create more opportunities,
and
they're responding by changing their business models to meet that demand.
How are talent agencies different from managers? Managers are not
regulated
nor are they required to have a license. Talent agencies in most states
must be licensed by the state, city or appropriate governing body. The
job
of the talent agencies is to create opportunities, procure and negotiate
employment for clients and counsel them in the development of their
careers.
Under law, managers may not procure employment for artists or negotiate
without a licensed talent agencies, and any person who renders Agent
services without a license may have their contract invalidated and be
forced
to relinquish any commissions paid.
What types of services does talent agencies provide? Talent agencies
provides its members with a broad range of services, including negotiation
of franchise agreements with industry guilds, interpretation of
agency/guild
and state regulations, development of ongoing professional development
resources and seminars, dispute resolution expertise, a residual tracking
system, and discounts on legal services and hotels. |
