Casting agencies represent talent (actors, musicians or models) to make sure they get the best roles and the most money for their work. On the other end is the client, who is the business or agency that has the work for the actor. It's the job of the casting agency to protect the actor's interests, and they generally receive a 10% commission from the client for the work performed.

A casting agencies industry overview can give you background of the business before you contact a casting director at a casting agency. You might think it would be easier to contract for talent outside of an agency, but many actors and musicians must follow union rules. So to make your project a reality, you'll have to use established channels.

Follow these tips to ensure a good experience when working with a talent agent.

1. Find out who the talent agent is currently representing, which will give you an idea of the caliber of their talent.

2. Ask for references from talent agents.

3. Make a point to understand the rules and pay scale of the entertainment industry, which will help you when establishing budgets and timelines.

Action Steps
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Locate a credible talent agent by looking at industry associations

If you're in California, you can easily find LA casting agencies, but you can locate talent agents in other areas as well. Look for talent agencies that are state-regulated, members of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Talent Association and Talent Managers Association.

I recommend: Pursue relationships with talent agencies that are members of the American Talent Association. The Talent Managers Association website lists all TMA members.

Understand union rules pertaining to talent and casting agencies

When you want to hire an actor through a casting agency, you'll soon find out that the word in Hollywood is 'union.' The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) is an AFL-CIO affiliate representing actors in film and other media, while the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) represents television and radio artists.

I recommend: A SAG-member casting agency will ensure the production adheres to strict union rules including wages, safety and time worked. The Screen Actors Guild website has a wealth of information about the union. The AFTRA website lists AFTRA casting agencies.

Rely on casting agents to navigate child labor rules

If you're interviewing commercial casting agents to locate a child actor for your next 30-second spot, be aware of special rules that may apply to your production, including the number of hours worked to the subject matter of the work. Child labor laws vary from state to state. Some require a special work permit and parental permission, while other states have few rules at all.

I recommend: The U.S. Department of Labor spells out state laws regarding entertainment work for minors. Child actors are exempt from protection by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act but may be members of the SAG or AFTRA unions. Elite Casting Network helps explain child labor rules.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure you have a budget prepared at the outset, so that you know how much talent you can afford before contacting a talent agent.

Today, commercial casting agents work in many major cities. They market actors, models and photographers to casting directors, advertising agencies, production companies and photographers nationwide. Talent agencies range from traditional LA casting agencies to online databases. When you look for a casting agency, you need to be careful to avoid scams. Consider these factors when selecting a casting agency:

1. Find a reputable talent agency; they won’t require an up-front payment.

2. Avoid commercial casting agents who guarantee finding you work immediately if you pay upfront.

3. Look at agencies besides LA casting agencies; smaller agencies may gain you exposure through local TV or online videos and devote more personal time to promoting you.

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Distinguish between reputable casting agencies and scams

A key indication of a scam is a request for a deposit or fee. Agencies make their money from commissions. If an agency believes you are marketable, they typically won't charge a fee. Don't let an agency push you to a particular photographer. It may suggest one that it works with, but you are free to get photos from anyone. If you are unsure, consult the local Better Business Bureau.

I recommend: Check out the LA Better Business Bureau for a list of agencies with any complaints against them. Search under various names like "talent agencies. Also, the LA BBB provides good advice with "How you become a target for a scam."

Create a personal network of contacts

Many opportunities are found through people you know. Casting directors often fill positions using a database of individuals they know before advertising with acting agencies. The Internet offers an excellent way to keep in touch with people who share similar interests. Join specialized online networks or just search for people with shared talent casting interests.

I recommend: Use groups like Actors Metropolis or ModelsHotel.com. Some sites allow you to join by invitation only, so you need a referral from an existing member. Try Reality Wanted, if you prefer being on reality TV shows.

Do your own casting research

Naturally, you can't be serious about acting and modeling without reading the right magazines and making use of their valuable websites.

I recommend: Variety sits at the top of the echelon. Its online presence has a networking feature and projects database. LA411's website provides an extensive database of contacts, which includes agents and producers. The Hollywood Reporter’s PR Newswire offers a list of press releases based on industry to keep you informed and a filterable database of events for films, TV and music. Backstage offers tools to manage your casting search.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Producing a quality video and posting it to popular websites like YouTube, Facebook or MySpace often shows your commitment to acting, modeling or working in the entertainment business.
• •  Talent and casting agencies need people of all body types: old and young, ugly and beautiful, thin and fat.

Casting agencies are a great tool to locate talent for a variety of projects, from television shows and commercials, film, radio, and print advertising. You can locate a model of any age or type, or a musician to sing your brilliant new jingle. Using a talent agency to locate the right person can make your projects a reality.

You'll find casting and talent agencies in every major city of the country. Certain cities such as Los Angeles and New York City are especially rife with talent agencies and modeling agencies, but you can also trust a casting agency in the nearest large city to provide the talent you need. Making the most of casting agencies means communicating your needs effectively for your project, and being involved as much as possible in the details.

1. Use a casting and talent agency in your area. It helps the local economy to use local talent, and locals will be excited to be extras.

2. Allow the talent agent to do what he or she does best - hire and represent the talent so your project will be a success.

3. Make sure you understand the terms of the contract you many sign with the talent agency.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Book a guest speaker from a talent agency for star power

You would love to attract the biggest crowd to your next business meeting by booking a guest speaker with star quality. Many movie stars, authors and coaches of winning teams are ready to give an inspirational speech. When you need to hire talent for your next commercial, contact a commercial casting agency.

I recommend: All American Talent and Celebrity Network is a speaker bureau and talent agency you can hire to line up top speakers and celebrities in their field. Central Casting is well-known among LA casting agencies for background roles.

Choose a top talent agency to fill your best roles

Hollywood and New York are the hot spots for cinema, music and television. To fill your best roles, contact some venerable talent agencies that have built a reputation for working with top actors and notable projects.

I recommend: William Morris Agency is one of the most well-known talent and casting agencies in the world. Grant Wilfley Casting is a New York talent agency with a long list of notable TV and movie projects for which they have provided talent.

Hire a smaller casting agency for small roles

Due to budget constraints or unfamiliarity, you might feel intimidated when working with a well-known talent agency. Consider instead looking at commercial casting agents for filling minor roles in your advertising campaign or extras for your film.

I recommend: In the New York area, you can submit an online notice for available parts at NY Castings. Contact Goldman and Associates, a Las Vegas casting agent, for your talent needs at 702-990-3210.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Develop your budget for talent before you contact a talent agent. They'll want to factor in how much you can spend when searching for the right actor or model.

You have the dream of acting in front of people all over the world. Casting agencies help you make that happen. Through time-tested marketing strategies and technological advances, casting agencies know exactly what to do to get your name out there. Finding the right casting agencies can be a challenge because there is a lot of competition among companies in that market. Use casting agencies key terms to help you find the company that best fits your style.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Background actor

You see background actors every time you watch a television program or a movie. Background actors are the people in the background. They may walk up and down the halls in a hospital or fill the stands at a football game. Casting agencies frequently cast people on movies or in television as background actors.

I recommend: Central Casting discusses background actors on the company website.

Commercials

Casting agencies also look for people who can star in commercials. While some companies prefer well-known celebrity talent, other companies want actors who are not so well known to star in the commercial. Commercials can often be a launching point for an actor's career, and casting agencies can make that happen.

I recommend: Read about commercials and casting agencies on the William Morris Agency website.

Labor laws for child and teen actors

Special laws protect anyone under the age of 17 on the set, and casting agencies can help you learn the law. All reputable casting agencies will make sure the acting gig complies with all laws before booking your talent to that company. Labor laws for child and teen actors protect children from abusive work hours and pay.

I recommend: Read details about labor laws for child and teen actors on the Star Search Casting website.

Extra

In commercials, movies, television programs and in theatre, extras help fill the scene. People cast as extras may not have any lines or even be seen clearly on the camera, but casting agencies are often responsible for filling these roles.

I recommend: Read about the job responsibilities of an extra at the website of Las Vegas casting agency, Goldman & Associates.

Talent agent

A talent agent works on your behalf to get your name out there. Talent agents can help you coordinate with casting agencies to land the best roles on the market.

I recommend: Read what it takes to be a talent agent at Job Profiles.

Association of Talent Agents

To make sure your casting agency is reputable, ask about associations. The Association of Talent Agents is a Los Angeles based non-profit trade association that includes casting agencies of all types and styles.

I recommend: Read about the Association of Talent Agents on its website.