Additional Information
There is no easy way to get into this business. It's part of show business,
which is a business of networking and knowing the right people. It's also
a business involving reputation and trust.
Talent agents come from varied educational backgrounds, says talent agent
Doreen Eliassen. Although education is important, communication savvy and
a love for the arts are crucial qualifications.
"Many agents are lawyers, film majors or actors. Essentially, you should
have a degree, but more importantly, you should have a great passion for actors
and the arts. Know the history of movies and the business. That should be
a degree in itself," says Eliassen.
Once you have some education and life experiences, start making contacts.
Approach talent agents and tell them that you want to work in the business.
Talent agent Rebecca Shaw says you should just compile a list of local agents
and call them up.
"Be up front about it," Shaw advises. If you're persistent, you might get
a kind of informal internship at an agency.
Don't expect to do anything exciting at first. The important thing is that
you get involved in the industry, even if it's as a gopher. Smaller agencies
will offer you more experience and involvement than the bigger ones.
Agent Murray Gibson says he's the perfect example of this method. Having
taken some marketing and public relations programs, Gibson knew he wanted
to do this kind of work.
"I got in touch with an agent and hounded him for about four months," recalls
Gibson. The agent finally let Gibson work in the office a few hours a week.
"I spent three months just hanging out, answering the phone and filing." Meanwhile,
Gibson watched his boss closely. Eventually, the agent hired him on full time
to handle his commercial work.
Most agents start with only a few clients and are considered sub-agents,
acting on behalf of the agency until they get more experience.
Once agents have established their names in the industry and have good
contacts, they often open their own agencies.