How Talent Agents Are Regulated

The entertainment industry can be tricky, especially if you’re new to the business. While a good agent can skyrocket you to superstardom, a bad agent can cause you a lot of angst and leave you back at square one. If you live in the state of California you should know that agents are regulated by the California Labor Code. This means that your agent must adhere to specific rules and regulations.

In the state of California, all agents must secure a license to do business. Additionally, the license must be posted in the agency in plain sight. This means that when you visit a potential agent, you should be able to see their license when you walk into their office. If you don’t see it, inquire about it. If they don’t have it available to show you, you probably don’t want that person to represent you.

When your agency receives a check from a job that you’ve completed, the agency is required by law to deposit those funds into a bank or other recognized depository and disburse your payment within 30 days. The only circumstances in which your agent can hold these funds are if you owe them money, or if the funds are being disputed by the Labor Commissioner.

We often hear about agencies that take advantage of aspiring entertainers who are trying to find their way in the business, often by charging them registration fees or making them schedule photo sessions with photographers who charge them lots of money for low quality photos. Did you know that it’s unlawful in California for a talent agency to collect a registration fee? So if you have a meeting with an agency and they require a financial contribution in order for you to be represented by them, you don’t want that person to represent you. It’s also illegal for an agent to refer a client to any individual or company from which the talent agency will benefit financially including photographers, managers or acting schools.

For more information about the ins and outs of the entertainment industry, stay tuned to Star Search Casting for informative, up-to-date information for aspiring singers, dancers, models and actors. Visit http://www.StarSearchCasting.com today!