How to Become a Booking Agent

Booking agents are a rare breed of professionals. With a strong work ethic, passion for making deals and enthusiasm for discovering new talent, booking agents are, as they demonstrate, "the hardest working folks in the entertainment industry." Agents not only have to learn the ropes of the industry without a standard college course to aid the process, but they also have to navigate a career that has no clear-cut path. While it is difficult, many have proven that it is not only possible, but can also be highly lucrative.

Instructions

How to Start a New Booking Agency and Work as a New Booking Agent

1. Review state labor laws for employment agencies. An entertainment lawyer may assist the process and translate complicated legal documents as well as prepare licensing applications and file court petitions (as required to register the business and publish the business name).

2. Contact the Department of the Treasury to register the booking agency as a new business venture. You must also contact the Internal Revenue Service to obtain a tax ID number for the booking agency. The Department of the Treasury will request the number at the time of your registration application.

3. Publish the business name in an approved newspaper for four consecutive weeks. You must also appear in court with proof of publication. (Publishing fees will apply as well as court fees.)
   Obtain a list of approved periodicals and publish the registration request in the city where the booking agency will operate.

How to Become a Booking Agent at an Established Booking Agency

1. Work as a booking agent within a larger booking agency. Intern with a talent agency or intern as an assistant casting director. Participate in casting sessions and eventually progress to booking "Under 5" or "Day Player" roles. If this progression is not immediately possible, ask to book background talent or screen headshots for smaller projects. By gaining industry experience in casting, you will not only build contacts, but also learn how to interview and manage actors and other talent.

2. Complement entry-level casting experience with additional industry experience. Work as a promoter to build rapport with managers, theaters, studios and actors. Because booking agents are generally assigned to a specific territory or region, working as a promoter will allow you to become familiar with key markets or at least one specific market. You may also opt to work at a distribution studio for relevant industry knowledge and experience.

3. Contact the Labor Commission to obtain the appropriate license to work as a booking agent. State laws vary, so this step may not be necessary, depending on the state of operation.

4. Join a national talent association. The Association of Talent Agents (ATA) is an industry leader for talent agents and offers great resources to new and veteran booking agents.

5. Search for talent by holding an open casting call or placing an ad in a trade magazine such as "Backstage West," "Variety," "LA Weekly" or "Backstage East." You may also rely on the referral system and use industry contacts to build a client list.

6. Determine the commission. By law, a booking agent can charge from 10 to 20 percent. The agreed-upon commission will be documented in the talent's contract.

Tips & Warnings

• Build interpersonal skills and learn to use clear written and verbal communication.

• There is no clear-cut path to becoming a booking agent. A college degree is not required to work as a booking agent. The words "booking agent" and "talent agent" are interchangeable and hold the same meaning.

Resources

• ATA