A casting agent, also known as a talent agent, is a member of the entertainment industry who works to find suitable candidates for roles on stage, screen, or television. In the entertainment industry, the term “casting agent” is not commonly used; a talent agent represents actors, while a casting director assists in the casting of a project. The agent may work for a talent agency or as an independent agent. These agents may also act as model agents, helping clients find and hire models for clothing lines or advertising campaigns.
Casting agents and casting directors frequently collaborate. These casting directors are the ones who call for a casting call. A casting call is simply an announcement that a new production vehicle will be auditioning entertainers for roles in the show. When an agent is notified of this call for auditions, he or she will begin looking for performers who are a good fit for the new production and try to get them an audition.
It’s important to distinguish between a casting agent and a talent scout. Normally, talent scouts work for production companies. The agent, on the other hand, is more likely to have connections with talent agencies that represent a diverse range of clients.
While the casting agent identifies potential performers for a production and arranges for them to attend the casting call, the agent rarely attends the casting call with the performers. Instead, the performer goes through an initial audition with a casting director, who then calls back those who show promise for a second audition with the production director and producer. As a result, the casting agent assists the performer in gaining interest and support from the team producing the entertainment feature, but it is the performer’s responsibility to secure the interest and support of the team producing the entertainment feature and be hired for the project.
While the roles of various entertainment agents were once clearly defined, it is now common for agents who focus on obtaining casting calls for clients and general talent agents who may choose to represent actors, singers, and other performers to simply be referred to as agents. In all cases, the agent is paid a commission on any performing assignments secured as a result of the agent’s efforts to connect the performer with the production company.