Here's a question we at the agency hear quite a bit: What’s the difference between a management company and a talent agency?

 

I've listed a few details below. These are by no means comprehensive, but this information may help to answer some questions.

 

Managers and Management companies:

 

 Managers are not legally able to collect any money for those they represent or to book any jobs for them; they must work through an agent who has a license to negotiate contracts and collect money for talent. Sometimes an agency may decide to work with a management company if the agreement they’ve worked out is beneficial to both.

 

If actors and models decide to work with managers, an additional commission of 10 to 15 percent will be taken on top of what the agent takes.

 

Managers and management companies may also have a contract that will obligate the talent to pay a commission to them for as long as three years. Some may request money up front as part of their agreement to develop a talent.

 

Part of that development includes preparing marketing materials such as comp cards. If they are legitimate, they will be up front about an actor/model's potential for that market.

 

And while it may make sense to hire a manager in a large market like Los Angeles, in a smaller market like South Florida it may not be necessary. This is because a manager’s primary job is to promote his talent to an agent. In this market, actors and models can promote themselves to an agency by submitting their photos and resume.

 

Talent Agencies:

 

Talent agencies should have a license that enables them to negotiate contracts and collect money for their talent. As part of the licensing process, talent agencies must be bonded. The bond acts as a back up in case the agency finds itself in financial distress. The money in the bond ensures actors and models will be paid for their work.

 

The primary job of the agency is to offer their talent as many opportunities to showcase their abilities. The agency does that through submissions for castings where they think the actor or model has a good chance at booking the job.  They spend a great deal of time negotiating with clients, finding the right talent for the casting and submitting them. Finding fresh faces and generating new client prospects is also a continuous process for these agencies.

 

Once you have booked the job, the agency takes 10 to 20 percent commission of earnings as their fee. Agencies also collect an agency fee from their clients.

 

An agency only makes money when the talent books a job. For that reason, small agencies have a variety of talent – too many who are similar can’t all book the same job. And generally, agencies in Florida don't expect their talent to be exclusive with them because it is a secondary market.

 

One specific difference from a management company is that an agency cannot or should not request fees up front from a talent.

 

And they should never charge for training, for photos posted on their website or for any other kinds of fees - the only fees should come from booking work for the talent. The agency should have this laid out in a contract. If other fees suddenly pop up, make sure to look at the contract closely.

 

If you still have questions about how talent agencies in Florida should operate, look at the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations' website under the statutes and rules of registered talent agencies.

 

See this link: http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pro/talent/index.html