Do you have a manager, agent or representative who helps you sign or close deals? Why or why not? If you do have one, how did you find them and how did you know they were the right one for you? These are some of the questions we asked some very talented folks from the community and we’ve shared their responses below.

Raf Simpson

Signing with an agent was something very special for me. It was the commitment to the relationship that helped me focus in on output. I love to do art and to paint but without accountability and that relationship that pushes you to be the best you can, sometimes you fall short. I have fully enjoyed having an agent guiding me through the process and helping me understanding where I should be spending my time and energy / output. Courtney lets me paint and she gets to worry about the details of the “business” of art. Read more>>

Shane “Smittyyy” Smith

When it comes to signing with an agent, manager, label,etc, I think that is every musician’s dream. It is a sign that you have “made it” in the business. About five years ago, I signed on with a small agency / label to release my old band’s single “Does She Know?”. This was my first experience of ever signing with an agency of any kind. We did not make any money from this deal, but they agreed to release our single as a CD that comes with a copy of a pretty well-known magazine throughout the entire world. I had friends and family sending me photos of them buying our CD in this magazine literally all over the US, Spain, London, and everywhere….. It was one of the coolest experiences I think I have ever had. Read more>>

Julie Marcus

I have been with my current Agency, Atlas Talent, for 13 years now. But to get to the point of signing with them, took at least 4 years and many other fits with other agents before them. How I got my first agent was through paid meet and greets. I would pay a certain amount to meet 12 different agents/casting directors and read from the voiceover booth for them and they would give me feedback. Through those meetings, I had two voiceover agents that would work with me on a freelance basis and give me auditions. Also through those meetings, I met one of the agents at Atlas Talent. She told me she thought I had a lot of talent but was too green (i.e. beginner) to work with their agency and to keep in touch. And I did just that – I worked, grew better at my craft, got signed by a reputable agent and emailed her every year. When they had moved their offices to LA, she responded and we set up a meeting. The meeting went well and I’ve been very grateful to be working with them ever since. Read more>>

Melinda Eisnaugle

Having an agent seems an impossible feat when you don’t have one. The battle to find the right connection is worthwhile, though. Agents are powerful negotiators. Most agents are not going to give off the warm fuzzies you might get from a manager, and that’s a good sign. Actors want someone who is willing to go to the mat and stand their ground in the negotiation room. This requires a personality that shows courage, gumption, and might ruffle some feathers. You don’t have to want to take your agent to get drinks, but you don’t want to go into battle without an agent on your team. Read more>>

Alice Jean

So, for those who may not know, I’m repped with TCG Artist Management, I’m under Ellis Holt’s books, and I couldn’t be happier. So to take you back, i signed with Ellis at the very end of 2021. I was first introduced to Kristin, who’s also an amazing agent, through Charlie, the owner of Run At It Shouting. I attended a few workshops, and he sort’ve took me under his wing. He’s also apart of the TCG family, and he was kind enough to put a word in for me. Ellis had an opening in her books, we set up a meeting and it was up from there. Read more>>