What is a Talent Agent
If you are a an actor or model it is important to have an experienced talent agent. Model agents are much like actors agents in the TV and Film industry. An acting or modeling agent is hired to help set up and arrange auditions for the talent that they represent. A talent agent may handle all areas of the entertainment industry for a you, including commercials, literary, interviews, modeling, film and theatrical. In most cases your talent agent will want an exclusive contract with you in a certain territory. There are some really important things that you must have included in your contract with your talent agent. For example, say an actress does not want to appear nude in this scene where her role is demanded to. Since her agent got her the role he needs to be compensated even though the actress backed out of the role. These types of things need to be stated in your contract from the beginning of your relationship. Another example, say your a model that strongly believes in conserving gas and eliminating the amount of pollution that is in the atmosphere. Your talent agent gets you a gig to model for a Cadillac Escalade ad. You refuse to model for this ad because you feel that Cadillac Escalades contribute to a lot of air pollution. If this sort of thing is not in your contract it will be questionable whether you’re talent agent should be compensated for getting you the job.
Talent agents generally get 10% of the money that you make from the work that they provide. It should state this in your contract. Make sure your contract states that your agent will actually be your agent. You don't want their assistant sending you out on auditions. If your agent is not performing well you want to be able to fire them as long as you give them prior notice. It is extremely important for these things to be in your contract because you don’t want to be forced into doing anything that you don’t want to do. Try and sign a contract with a short term so that you can renegotiate often, the bigger you get the more pull you will have arguing obligations and percentages.