Looking to hire local talent but uncertain where to start? Modeling and acting agencies can help you streamline the casting process and find the next face for your project.
InnoVision Talent Agency (ITA) is an inclusive, California-based talent agency representing both veteran talent and stars-in-the-making. If you’re new to working with modeling and acting agencies, here are a few helpful tips to support a successful collaboration.
Provide Character Breakdowns
The best agencies rigorously vet their talent, so they’re able to provide recommendations based on your specific casting criteria. To assist in narrowing down the search, provide character breakdowns that include the physical traits, required skills (for example, singing or playing an instrument), and key attributes of the role.
Let the agency know what characteristics you’re willing to compromise on and which are non-negotiable. While an agent will try to find a model or actor who checks all the boxes, it’s helpful to know which qualities are wants and which are absolute musts.
If you’re looking to hire a model for a promotional event or ad campaign, you’ll also want to provide as many details as possible about the job. For example, do you need someone with a specific look, skill set, or experience level? This type of information will assist the talent agent in making the appropriate recommendations.
Once you send a character breakdown or project requirements, agencies like ITA will provide talent for your review. This can save you the time and energy of having to sift through dozens of headshots and resumes on your own. You’ll then be able to browse a roster and hand-select talent to audition for the role or interview for your project.
If you prefer, you can even bypass the traditional casting process. Once you find talent who seems like a good fit, you can send over audition materials and invite them to submit a self-taped audition. This approach gives you more flexibility and control over the casting process.
Share Project Details
Share as many project details as you’re comfortable disclosing with both the agent and talent. For example, providing shoot dates and the expected time commitment will help an agent identify actors with the right availability for the role.
Likewise, if you are hiring models for your project, let the agent know whether there are any restrictions that may prevent them from taking part. For instance, you probably wouldn’t want to hire a model who is featured in an active campaign for a competing brand.
Just as sharing project details helps an agent make suitable recommendations, it also assists talent in preparing effectively for the audition. When possible, provide sides that the talent can prepare ahead of time. When hiring for a promotional event, make sure the model is aware of the product or service they’ll be representing.
The more details you can share in advance, the better the chances of booking the right talent for your project.
Communicate Expectations
Communicating openly, clearly, and transparently is the key to a successful partnership with a talent agency. Making your expectations known from the start will ensure there are no surprises down the line.
Open communication minimizes confusion and ensures all parties involved have a positive experience. So be vocal in your casting needs and open to suggestions.
Agents have an eye for talent and may be able to find the hidden gem you’re looking for among a deep sea of talent. Take their recommendations into account, but keep in mind that the final decision about who you choose to work with is entirely yours.
Offer Constructive Feedback
Talent agencies want honest and unfiltered feedback from their clients. Regardless of whether you have positive or negative feedback to provide, agencies want to hear it. In fact, they rely on it.
While agencies like ITA vet talent from the onset, it’s also important to get ongoing feedback to ensure the most up-to-date snapshot of talent’s work ethic and capabilities. Your feedback is then incorporated into the overall assessment of each model and actor represented.
For example, ITA continually evaluates talent on a range of factors, including reliability, availability, work ethic, skill level, and breadth of experience. As we gather more feedback, we’re able to deliver a richer, more nuanced perspective of our talent to clients like you.
Your feedback helps us know whether we’ve met your expectations. If we have and you decide that you want to work with us again, we’ll keep note of the talent you have enjoyed working with in the past. Then, when you have other projects to cast and would like to book the same talent, we’ll work to make it happen.
Your feedback helps modeling and acting agencies help you—it’s a mutually beneficial feedback loop.
Respect Professional Boundaries
Remember, talent has retained representation for a reason. So, once you find an actor or model you would like to hire, inform the agency so they can be involved in the next steps of the hiring process.
For example, the agent will assist with contract negotiations, setting project rates and booking fees, and managing other essential elements of securing talent for the role. This makes everything go much more quickly and smoothly.
The priority is making sure both the client and the talent are satisfied. To achieve that goal, agencies like ITA ask to be kept in the loop on all important matters. Upholding professional boundaries ensures a smooth and respectful casting process for everyone involved.
Talent is at the heart of any great project. That’s why partnering with the right agency is essential to streamlining the casting process and connecting you with the ideal talent for your project needs.
Ready to see what ITA can do for you? Simply reach out to us to get started. We’re confident this will be the first step in a long and successful partnership.