Things You'll Need:
- Experience with a talent agent or booking agent
- Rolodex filled with entertainment industry contacts
- Roster of talent-actors, singers, musicians, models and other entertainment industry professional
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Step 1
Get an internship or work in the mailroom of an established entertainment booking house and agency. Look for a entry-level position within CAA, William Morris Agency, Endeavor, United Talent Agency and International Creative Management. These firms have hundreds of agents around the world and represent the very best actors, athletes and entertainers for film, television and stage jobs.
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Step 2
Learn the difference between the types of entertainment agents. Booking agents can represent actors, models, musicians, writers, voice over talent and cruise ship entertainers. All of these talent agents negotiate contracts, but their roles and responsibilities vary.
For example:In the music industry the booking agent books jobs for the artists they represent. Unlike talent managers who manage the brand and negotiate employment and sponsorship contracts for an artist, booking agents work with concert promoters and recording artists to secure the terms of a concert performance contract. -
Step 3
Master the five critical steps to become an entertainment booking agent and booking jobs for talent. A booking agent is a liaison between the client looking to hire talent and the entertainer. A successful talent or booking agent must know how to: 1) recruit the right talent, 2)understand the fair market value of an entertainer's talent, 3) set up auditions or meetings between the talent and the potential client, 4) negotiate contracts, and 5) know how to promote their own entertainment booking services by networking and attending special entertainment events.
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Step 4
Make connections in the film and music industry. The best method to become an entertainment booking agent is to make solid contacts within the industry. Find out the hot spots in your town where entertainment industry talent agents gather. Join associations to meet up and coming actors, comedians and musicians. More importantly connect with the chauffeurs, junior publicists, stylists, celebrity personal assistant and other entertainment service personnel to receive insider tips on who is hiring junior agents or how to meet the "movers and shakers" within your town's entertainment community.
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Step 5
Work your way up. An entertainment booking agent is a career that requires you to "pay your dues" within an agency and work your way from intern to assistant and--hopefully one day and entertainment booking agent. If an established agency is hiring any job, interview to get your foot in the door. Once you've been hired, learn the hidden rules of the entertainment industry. Make a goal to work hard to obtain your dream of becoming an entertainment booking agent or talent agent.
