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Demo Tape Critique

Whether you’re just starting out in your career or are a veteran broadcaster, you know there’s nothing more important than your demo tape. Start  advancing your broadcasting career today.

Talent Agency FAQs

How do I Find a Talent Agent?

What's the best way to contact a Talent Agent?

Please read through some of our more popular frequently asked questions and email us with anything that comes to mind.

What kind of demos do you accept?

We accept DVDs and digital links. Please make sure that you’ve watched your demo before sending it to us. Nothing is more frustrating (or unprofessional) than popping in a DVD that has no audio or just static or isn't compatible. Please make sure you label the physical DVD. We get a lot of submissions, and it gets confusing. We will NOT accept DVDs that have “stuck-on labels” on the disc. Spend a few extra pennies and print directly to the disc, or use a Sharpie to write your name and phone number on the surface.
 

What do you look for when considering a client?

We’ve been doing this for a long time and have hired hundreds of talent. We look for the “WOW” factor or the POTENTIAL for “WOW!”

There are thousands of people who want to be on TV. We both want to be successful.  Remember this is a subjective business. A thick skin is needed. If we say “no”, someone else may say “superstar.”  Persistence.
 

What should be on my demo?

That totally depends on what job you’re applying for.

Generally speaking, on-air talent should have a brief montage of your absolute best work, followed by a couple of minutes of continuous anchor segments and then a couple of examples of your best reporting. Your demo should be no longer than 15 minutes.Producers should include entire shows, edited for commercials, and include a written self-critique and background about the show, resources, etc. Tapes stay in the ND’s machine for about 3-5 seconds. Those first few moments have to be the best!
 

Other talent agencies make my demo, why don’t you?

We’re not in the editing business. You work in a facility that has the most expensive and hopefully the latest video/audio equipment available.

We will work closely with you to choose and agree upon the best content for your demo tape. You send us a master DVD and we take care of the rest.
 

I’ve heard that talent agents send huge composite reels, do you?

We will NEVER send a composite tape of multiple clients.

We market you as an individual, matching your skills with the company’s needs. Sometimes clients will be interested in the same jobs but ultimately it’s the choice of the station on who best fits what they’re looking for.
 

Your corporate office is Phoenix, AZ Will that hurt my chances of getting hired?

Absolutely not!

We’re on the phone constantly with managers across the country, with stations/networks in LA, Chicago, NY, DC, Atlanta, Orlando, etc. It’s not “where” you are located; it’s the quality of your talent, the specific need of the company, and the reputation of your agency.
 

In order to make it into the top markets, you have to have one of the big names. Is that true?

We can tell you from experience that while a reputable agent can get a ND or recruiter to LOOK at your tape, only YOUR TALENT will make them want to hire you. No company is going to hire someone just because “Mr. Bigshot Agent X” called and said so.
 

I hear some talent agencies charge upfront or retainer fees; do you?

We will never charge upfront fees. In fact, if someone says they need $500 to start representing you, RUN FAST! We don’t make a penny until we negotiate you a deal.
 

I hear that talent agents charge 10% every year. What are your commission rates?

Our commission rates are confidential – between our clients and us. Each person is unique. Each situation is different. There is a lot of time, effort, money and expertise that goes into marketing a client, however, the commission structure for a person starting out at $20,000 should be different than a person making $3,000,000.
 

What if I just want a negotiation only deal?

If you have an offer on the table, or are a veteran that just doesn’t feel comfortable sitting in front of the GM at contract renewal time, we can help. We have several clients that are “negotiation only.” We’ll quote you a one-time fee for this service.
 

Can you guarantee me a job or more money?

No and if an agent does, hang up the phone. What we can guarantee is that you will be marketed with the most aggressive and extensive experience possible. Because we have clients in all sized markets, we have a broad knowledge of what to expect during salary negotiations. We also strive, whenever possible, to obtain more than one offer so as to leverage the best financial deal available.
 

How long will it take to get a new job?

If we could answer that, we would be the host of Medium. There are many factors that play into a job search; talent market preferences, economy, budgets, specific needs of the company, focus group responses, research and subjectivity. We’ve had job searches as short as two weeks and others more than a year.  If you’re our client, we’re with you for the long run, not just a quick “hit.”
 

Do you look at every demo?

Yes. We believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to have their work viewed and their skills evaluated. We’re a very selective agency so we cannot possibly offer representation to everyone.  Those that are chosen can feel confident that we see great potential and promise in your work.
 

Do I have to sign a contract and is it exclusive?

Yes, all clients are required to sign exclusive contracts. Imagine having multiple agencies submit the same talent for openings. It would be very confusing and present an unfocused appearance. Our goal is to sign clients and help them grow. That takes time. Our contracts are approved and regulated by the Industrial Commission of the State of Arizona.
 

I sent tapes out myself. What if I get a call from a news director on my own?

All contracts signed while under a representation agreement with us are subject to commissions. If we only received commissions on the jobs we brought to a client, then we would in essence be competing with that client to find jobs. A conflict would also arise if both the agent and the client submitted a tape. We do not charge upfront or retainer fees for dubbing, packaging, mailing and calling on stations. That’s a significant expense with no guarantee of a return. We do understand that sometimes the client generates interest, so we offer a commission structure to reflect this situation
 

What if I want to work in programming or become a host?

We have many clients who are hosts, producers, or reality cast members. While casting directors often look for experience, they are also looking for personality, energy, uniqueness, and that “it” factor that will make their project successful. Our advice is to be yourself and demonstrate what sets you apart from the others looking for the same opportunity. It’s important to be realistic in your expectations. Not everyone can host Entertainment Tonight. We can help guide you through this process.
 

What if I’m just starting out with no experience? Do I need an Agent?

While it’s true that entry-level salaries are pitiful, do you know what the going rate is? What if the news director says you MUST sign three years or even five years with no outs? What protection do you have in your contract? What happens if you’re laid off or fired? What are the other people making in similar positions in the market? What protection do I have if a much larger station offers me triple my salary in two years? Who’s going to give me feedback on my story construction? Wardrobe? Writing? Delivery? What if they hired me as a reporter and now want me to anchor but don’t want to pay more money because I’m already “under contract?” If you feel comfortable sitting in the ND or GMs office arguing these points, then you probably don’t need us. Rest assured, we do offer commission structures for entry-level positions.
 

Are you a lawyer?

No, but we have negotiated hundreds of contracts. Unless you’re hiring a very specialized attorney in entertainment/broadcast law, you will get a phone call from your dad’s friend who’s an attorney telling you how “crazy you are” to sign either the contract with the station you showed them or your representation agreement. They simply don’t understand the industry. You wouldn’t go to a podiatrist for new glasses or a plumber to wire your house. Rest assured, we do have media savvy General Counsel should the need arise for legal opinions.
 

What if I don’t want to take a job?

Our job is to advise, counsel, recommend, and listen. At the end of the day, you are the one that has to live in the market, work at the station, and pay your bills based on the salary offered. It’s your decision. We work for you. If you decide to decline an offer, we keep looking.
 

We specialize in Careers in Television and Radio Broadcasting

Check out our Talent Representation Services page.

We're proud to announce that ELI MARTINEZ' new film The Shark Con has already been accepted into several major film festivals.

Congratulations to JENNI HOGAN who just inked a new multi-year deal with KIRO-TV as their primary traffic anchor. The deal also allows Jenni to participate in other projects. Jenni is one of the top local personalities on social media.  You can follow her at www.twitter.com/jennihogan.  Jenni is also going to be a new "mum". You can follow the new addition to the Hogan family at www.twitter.com/lilpookette.

JENNI HOGAN joins as a new client.  Jenni is the traffic anchor at Cox's KIRO-TV in Seattle.  She's also one of the top social media personalities in local television. You can follow Jenni on her Twitter page Jenni Hogan and on her personal website www.jennihogan.com.

We're proud to welcome JAVIER SOTO as a new client. Javier has been promoted to weekend AM anchor at KTVK in Phoenix. Previously he was the Flagstaff bureau reporter and fill-in anchor.

BETH BEYER returns to broadcasting as a writer at Fox O&O KSAZ in Phoenix.

EDDIE PAUL will be the co-host and technical advisor on National Geographic's "Cut In Half". The show will debut on the network soon.  You may not know Eddie's face but you've seen his work in Cars, Terminator, The Fast and the Furious, Taxi, Leatherheads, XXX, The Mask of Zorro, Grease, E.T., Mask, Back to the Future, Wild At Heart, Against All Odds, Nightmare on Elm Street, CHiPs, Dukes of Hazard, Simon and Simon, Fantasy Island, and many more. He's also worked on music videos for Kanye West, Randy Newman, Heart, Twisted Sister, and more. Check out Eddie's website at www.epindustries.com.

ANDY RICE, founder of West Coast Gaps and Paranormal Society/WCGAPS, has signed an exclusive production agreement with Indigo Films. Indigo is a prominent producer of television shows and documentaries on such networks like Discovery, National Geographic, History, etc. You can learn more about WCGAPS at www.wcgaps.com.

LAURA DIAZ is promoted to M-F AM Anchor at WKMG, Orlando.  It's been a whirlwind success story for Laura who first came to WKMG as a reporter. Four months later she was promoted to weekend anchor.

ANNA VELASQUEZ re-signs as weekend anchor at KGET, Bakersfield.

IRENE MARIN is the new bureau managing editor for RTTV (Russian TV) in Washington, DC. Irene most recently was AM EP at KGTV in San Diego.

Congratulations to KTVK producer ANDRES DIAZ on his move to CNN HLN as a writer/producer.  Andres helped launch and produced 3TV's 9pm primary newscast.

CHRISTINE LEE moves from the Flagstaff bureau of KPNX-TV to the main studio in Phoenix as a traffic reporter/MMJ.

We'd like to welcome back DR. BILL LLOYD as a client.  Dr. Lloyd appears regularly on CNN. He's also a featured contributor to WebMD. 

For the second year in a row, KPSP anchor STELLA INGER has been voted "Best Television Personality" by readers of the Desert Sun. Congratulations!

We welcome KIMBERLY WISE as a new client in our hosting department. Kim was most recently a cast member of Discovery's Out Of The Wild: The Alaska Experiment.  Kim is also a regular contributor to KSWB's AM show in San Diego. Follow Kim at www.kimberlywise.com

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