We start part 1 of a 3-parts series on professional representation.
News
How to Fake It (with Fred Armisen)
Ginger Baker to Make Comeback after Surgery
Woman, 99, Celebrates Birthday by Rocking Out on Drums
Rolling Stone: 100 Greatest Drummers All-Time
Neil Peart to Publish 3rd Book
Rumors Spread of Meg White Replacing Peart
Topic Notes
A Talent Agent is a person or company that role is to find you the client work and jobs. Ie gigs, writing jobs, teaching jobs etc.
A Business Manager handles your personal and company financial affairs. From income, expenses, retirement, asset purchases, taxes, financial planning etc.
A Manager handles the day to day operations of the band or artist.
The role of a Talent Agent in your career:
Procure work for you or your band that is mutually agreeable
Help you in constructing tours
Strategize aspects of touring that move your goals forward
How to package and sell the artist or band
Pricing for tickets and negotiating fees for live performances ( this includes radio and television
Collecting deposits and handling of venue fees
Agents and Territories
Agents in California are regulated by the state labour commission. Agents can be regulated by the AFM Sag and AFTRA these are known as franchised agents.
Territories usually by continent
Qualities to look for in an agent and agency and what questions to ask
What kind of agency is it?
Boutique or specialized IE A specialized Internet talent agency – www.bigfra.me
Full stack agency like CAA or William Morris – music, film, television, product endorsements and literary speaking engagements. or expert role jobs
Major role agency IE the same agency that represents major artists that you could get packaged up with. IE Taylor Swift, Metallica, U2 or acts of that size etc. They have great relationships with promoters and can generally elevate you to the next level if you perform well.
Things to look for in a specific agent
How long has your agent been with their agency?
What kind of agencies have they worked with in the past?
How many clients does your agent manage / firm manage
Will the agent you are talking too be the real agent who books you
Red Flags
Beware those who want income from writing, endorsements, and other works that are not directly procured from the agent.
Beware agents that charge fees for mail, calls, copy, presentation preparation etc.
Agents that will book you everywhere or for anyone who asks for a fee
Agents that say this is the standard in the business and you should sign
Agent wants you to change drastically to become more commercial, many times to fit into a category that they control. Many times certain agents have developed networks that they will try and fit “warm bodies” into to generate income.
Agents that will charge a fee for housing to be with other artists
Approaching the Prospective Agent
As a rule agencies will generally reach out to management companies or record labels but that is not always the case.
You need to have a polished product with a provable and measurable amount of success. Ie successful youtube channel, record contract, contracts with promoters, opening for a major act etc.
Should have at least 100,000 subscribers with at least a few hundred videos with an average of 350,000 views after 30 days
Have daily weekly metrics of how your videos perform
The fees and structures
The fees and structures gent fee’s are 10% of the gross money the agent generates.
The scope of the agreement: Exclusive, Duration of the contract 3-5 years not more than 5 years for a jr band
Rights to terminate (setting up goals and incentives for the agent)
Music from this week’s Show
White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
White Stripes – Icky Thump
In closing…
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