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Sydney
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Wake Forest
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What is representation?
For performing artists, what are the key roles I should know about? I've heard for actors, it is about management but I've also heard these people called agents, or representation.
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1 answer
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Sydney !
This is a great question when starting out for a career in acting. I am happy to shed some light on what you've asked.
For actors, representation means having an agent who expedites acting work for you. An agency believes that they can obtain a lot of work for a particular actor, so they sign the actor to the agency and represent the actor, submitting them for roles in either film, television or stage. They pitch the actor to casting people.
Once you have an Agent for acting work and the actor signs on with the agency, the actor completes an authorization form giving the agency permission to receive the check from the production company, take out 10% (and some do 20%) and then the agent pays the actor. This is for any work the actor does even if the agent didn't get the actor that particular work. Many agents process the checks in batches, they wait, so sometimes the actor will get paid in a month or so. Actors are provided a statement by the agency of their earnings and the commission deduction. It is believed that actors want agents to increase their chances of obtaining acting jobs. Agents have business industry connections that actors don't have.
Now, on the other hand, a Manager for an actor is different. Managers are responsible for the actor's image. They give advice on every aspect of the actors' career, from typing them, doing their resume a certain way, suggesting acting classes to take, evaluating if your photos are good and anything to help the actor have a good career. Managers can shape an actor based on the managers' experience, giving each actor individualized attention. Managers charge a fee for this service. Managers can also negotiate contracts for the actor.
The reason that it may seem ambiguous is because it depends on the relationship between the actor and agent or manager. Sometimes managers can act like agents and agents can do things that managers do. They represent and or manage many people at a time, too. So it depends on the agency and the relationship that develops.
Another key role in the industry that you may start to hear of are Casting Agents. These are not Casting Directors at a production company, rather people who have a pool of actors that production companies can call on when they need actors. You do not sign on with them and they don't represent you or manage you. If a place needs your type they will tell the production company that they have an actor for that and send you to audition or in the case of Extra Work for background, just send you to the production site that day.
The way that you can tell is to do a search online specifically for what you're looking for. For example, you are in North Carolina near Winston-Salem, so KidzAct Talent and The Actors Agency are places where you can obtain an Agent to represent you. Actor's Group in Winston-Salem can help you with tracking down any Management companies that may be local to your area. As for casting agencies, there also may be some local ones that you can ask the acting community about, but Actors Access online is a place that you can register at for possible acting work.
Last but not least, some of us went independent - no agent, no union, no management. Just casting agencies and self submission directly to a production company for possible work. I don't recommend this if you are just starting out - go all the way and obtain everything. Working independent means that you just directly submit your materials to places that are hiring actors. It's really hard to do it this way and some do very well with voice over work, too. So if you are starting out, do the regular journey and learn as much as you can.
If you have any other questions, do feel free to return here. Best wishes moving forward with your career !
ACTORS GROUP https://www.facebook.com/ActorsGroup.NC/
This is a great question when starting out for a career in acting. I am happy to shed some light on what you've asked.
For actors, representation means having an agent who expedites acting work for you. An agency believes that they can obtain a lot of work for a particular actor, so they sign the actor to the agency and represent the actor, submitting them for roles in either film, television or stage. They pitch the actor to casting people.
Once you have an Agent for acting work and the actor signs on with the agency, the actor completes an authorization form giving the agency permission to receive the check from the production company, take out 10% (and some do 20%) and then the agent pays the actor. This is for any work the actor does even if the agent didn't get the actor that particular work. Many agents process the checks in batches, they wait, so sometimes the actor will get paid in a month or so. Actors are provided a statement by the agency of their earnings and the commission deduction. It is believed that actors want agents to increase their chances of obtaining acting jobs. Agents have business industry connections that actors don't have.
Now, on the other hand, a Manager for an actor is different. Managers are responsible for the actor's image. They give advice on every aspect of the actors' career, from typing them, doing their resume a certain way, suggesting acting classes to take, evaluating if your photos are good and anything to help the actor have a good career. Managers can shape an actor based on the managers' experience, giving each actor individualized attention. Managers charge a fee for this service. Managers can also negotiate contracts for the actor.
The reason that it may seem ambiguous is because it depends on the relationship between the actor and agent or manager. Sometimes managers can act like agents and agents can do things that managers do. They represent and or manage many people at a time, too. So it depends on the agency and the relationship that develops.
Another key role in the industry that you may start to hear of are Casting Agents. These are not Casting Directors at a production company, rather people who have a pool of actors that production companies can call on when they need actors. You do not sign on with them and they don't represent you or manage you. If a place needs your type they will tell the production company that they have an actor for that and send you to audition or in the case of Extra Work for background, just send you to the production site that day.
The way that you can tell is to do a search online specifically for what you're looking for. For example, you are in North Carolina near Winston-Salem, so KidzAct Talent and The Actors Agency are places where you can obtain an Agent to represent you. Actor's Group in Winston-Salem can help you with tracking down any Management companies that may be local to your area. As for casting agencies, there also may be some local ones that you can ask the acting community about, but Actors Access online is a place that you can register at for possible acting work.
Last but not least, some of us went independent - no agent, no union, no management. Just casting agencies and self submission directly to a production company for possible work. I don't recommend this if you are just starting out - go all the way and obtain everything. Working independent means that you just directly submit your materials to places that are hiring actors. It's really hard to do it this way and some do very well with voice over work, too. So if you are starting out, do the regular journey and learn as much as you can.
If you have any other questions, do feel free to return here. Best wishes moving forward with your career !
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this is excellent thank you! i really appreciate the time you took to answer this.
Sydney
You are very welcome, Sydney !
Michelle M.