Words about agents
"We planned the party" & # 39; We included a limited discussion on entertainment.Our basic advice was to make a party, a wedding, a 1, such as a bar, bat, or mituba It was to hire talented talent agent specializing in 'casual' which means day or night event
A fun event.
Some agents represent actors and actresses, others would not be useful for you unless there were departments dealing with various acts and bands.
Some of the other agents deal only with major attractions and celebrities, but I can not help a band for the 50th birthday party of Sarah's birth.
Various agencies can help you name the entertainer like that close - up magician, band, and sometimes Reba McEntire and The Temptations. Things specializing in various entertainment are sometimes called "full service" institutions.
How do you tell who is a competent agent? That is a good question. Asking if the agent has the courage, he is not foolish to say "of course".
I have been involved in the entertainment business for more than 40 years, I saw many people establishing a store as an agent. In the end, some do not.
A huge part of my business belongs to a person who has used my service before, or who I referred to by a person using my service.
Find talent
Finding your own entertainment may be fun. I have seen different acts, bands and attractions for years. I will never enjoy it.
The Internet and Yellow Pages are a good starting point. Please use search engines to find what you are looking for. A list appears below the Yellow Pages entertainer , Party planner , Entertainment Bureau , And perhaps some other categories.
Please search for the appropriate one, such as "band of los angeles" or "juggler orange county". Please look at what you come up with.
Please note that a beautiful website does not mean the best entertainer. Many websites are not built by entertainers, and it does not translate a wonderfully appearing website into great entertainment.
References from friends may be useful if following the review procedure below.
For entertainers scheduled to appear in other groups in your area, please look at local newspapers and try to catch your actions as much as possible. Of course, entering other events will also result in poor entertainment. (I think it's natural that you think you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find frogs!) But if you carefully write down what is good or bad, it helps It may become.
Review action / band
If you are not working with an agent, you need to confirm your actions yourself. There are three ways to review actions: (1) Let's watch the action live, (2) watch the video of actions, (3) acts for you.
So far Best The way is to make sure that the action is performed under almost the same situation as your event. You can hardly play with Gloria 's 10th birthday party (or vice versa), even when you see people appearing in nightclub audiences in Las Vegas.
The problem of going to see live performances is that it certainly very It is time consuming and only a limited number of candidates can be seen before making a decision. But on the other hand, think about the fun you have!
Watching DVDs is a great way. I can cover many things in the evening. Unfortunately, not all acts have DVDs and videos. Just because they can not supply, it is a pity to eliminate top notch acts.
Another major problem with video is that many acts provide short, edited versions of their acts. This can be very misleading. When reviewing actions in video, I always insist (but not necessarily) a show of an unedited version. I never hire acts based on edited videos. Because they had very powerful videos, I've heard about examples of actors hired. In my show, the sole part was only a part of the video.
Do not be impressed by DVDs and videos of movies, guest spots of TV programs, or commercials. Still, they are not able to do the work they want.
If you are not an agent, you can forget the acting audition. Probably, the act will cease literature. For acts of magicians, beans, or similar varieties, you may receive short demonstrations. But this small part and glib pitch can be very deceived.
Please do not take chances. Please be sure to check what you purchased!
When you talk to the entertainer on the phone, ask him to send his "press kit" and literature, DVD and videotape.
Most varieties have printed literature and complete press kits (photos, personal information, letters of recommendation and past performances etc.).
Do not take in good prints. Normal It is not always the case, depending on the material you send, the level of professionalism may be considerably better.
I always work, I know virtually wonderful acts that practically have nothing to do with prints. Of course, I have seen truly impressive prints, but I was disappointed when I saw that act. I had a band that comes out a lot in small weddings and installation banquets, and it took a year to take pictures. (I still want to get a list of songs anytime.) I definitely got a top band in promotional material. The band is absolutely top!
Some performers do not use the paper press kit, but instead like the electronic press kit that contains the DVD you sent or simply uploaded to the website. It is okay. It is certainly a way to promote a modern self way.
arrange
The important thing is that if you decide to hire celebrities or bands, that arrangement is done clearly and in writing. I included the sample letter I want to use. Several entertainers have their own contracts, but many people do not have a contract, so it is necessary to write everything on paper and send it to the entertainer. I am not a lawyer, so I do not know how to enforce the letter, but at least you have information in the document and you understand and agree with that word.
If I am acting as an agent, I fill out the contract based on the conversation and forward it to the client for signing. I collect as much information as possible about the event so that I can prevent surprises. Also, the entertainer receives a binding contract.
Incidentally, this may be said in that the talent agent is like a travel agency, does not pay you for the service, but instead charges the entertainer. Agents can draw from innumerable entertainers and bands that are really looking for your interest and each act is reasonably familiar. There are thousands of entertainers, their personal managers (if any), and / or an Internet subscription service that describes how to reach them. Every entertainer can be used by a full-service agent, not an act that is just capable of agencies gathered.
When arranging with an entertainer, please talk about everything.
- Location. Sending the action to the map is the best.
- Performance date.
- Time and duration of performance. The band normally works for 4 hours with a break of 10 to 15 minutes every hour. Please tell me about their breaks and overtime hours. Some bands supply music that was recorded during a break.
- Please request a fee in writing. Some entertainers and bands are requesting it, but I am hesitating to pay the deposit. Since it is a licensed agency, salary is guaranteed by sending a contract. Both you and the celebrity are acting on trust that has not been proven yet. The entertainer wonders if he will receive payment. Will he show up? We have only the system.
- method of payment. The act always expects to be fully paid after the performance. If there are other arrangements, please not only discuss it but also fill out the agreement.
- The act wants to know your time schedule ... what time is cocktail hour, dinner etc? This causes interesting problems. Normally, if you have only one person to do a show after dinner (such as a magician or a singer) please invite to join the group for dinner. But you can not expect to feed the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Even bands are rarely supplied. If you were to reward you for a cocktail hour or dinner with a band or take a break while doing other business
- It would be appropriate to feed at that time. However, it is not mandatory. (Keep in mind that a meal is a wonderful consolation for an action if you pay a fee specially.)
- Who is providing a public address system? The band usually has its own equipment. You can not do other acts. A guitar player singing a song needs two microphones. Four singers need a microphone and expect to supply them. At hotels and other banquet facilities you can get everything you need from them. Extensive sound system must come from a professional and healthy company. Please discuss this with your performers and write it.
- Lights up. Again, facilities may need something. A spotlight with an operator can be rented for about $ 350. For big concerts, professional lighting company services are required.
- stage? For banquets less than 50 people may not need a riser, but as soon as you get on that number you have to come to the place where the audience can see the entertainer. A catering facility or hotel can usually set up a riser of various heights and build entertainment platforms and stages, 4 & # x8 & # 39;
- Is it outdoors? What if it rains? You really need to specify what to do. Do you hold it indoors? Acts and entertainers blocked that day for you, sometimes refusing other jobs. As long as you do not make other arrangements, they are entitled to pay the fee even if the program is actually dropped rain.
- seat. It is very difficult for entertainers to have a dance floor between themselves and the audience. If you are dancing after a comedian or other entertainer, please discuss with the action about how close a seat or table needs to be. Maybe he can work on the dance floor.
- Do you need a place to change clothes and install facilities?
- Does this act sells albums and other items in performance? Some musical acts will provide an album after the show. Is this okay?
- Parking and unloading. Is it okay for an entertainer to stand up in front of YMCA and find a signature "reserved for celebrities"? You can not do that all the time, but do remember that there are many things in some of the acts. If it costs money at the only parking lot, you should refund it to the entertainer. Discuss it and include your decision in your agreement.
There are many things to contact. Take the time to accurately describe what will happen in your mind. If you have any questions on your mind about something, ask. Ask a hotel, band, action, agent.
Conclusion
Well, really, it was easy. I wonder if I just blew it off just by spending months negotiating behavior and seeing the day. (Or call the talented talent agent and let him worry about hard things!)
Perhaps the good rule to remember is "get what you pay". A friend called me and wanted Mariatis for the Mexican church. I told him that he spent 5 hours Mariatis for 2 hours, but I went out and rented it. He phoned me later. He called a group advertised somewhere and got low quality at a low price. That is not a new story.
Do not look for the lowest price. Look for quality. If you can not get the highest quality you'd better not have any entertainment than you and anyone else doing panic in their seats.
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Sample letter
Princess · Wanta Company
Manufacturer of broken widgets
1842 Los Albany Street, Los Angeles, CA 90023
312 / 555-2345
February 31, 2009
Freddy Magic Man
1234 count · me · out · street
Pasadena, California 93345
Dear Mr. Magic Man:
This is October 32, 2009 Rancho Cucamonga Holiday Hotel 2345 Hotel Ave., Cucamonga,
California.
The party begins with a cocktail hour from 6 pm to 7 pm, and then sits for dinner at that time. If you join us, we are pleased. Please let me know if you like fish or steak.
We greeted a mike standing microphone at the hotel, the hotel was 8 & # 39; wide & 6 & # 39; stairs on one side to staging, on a high platform, deeply. The 30 minutes of comedy and magic play will begin around 8:15 pm in the evening. I have a check for $ 750 ready for you at the end of your performance. Please bring me a parking ticket for complete verification as well.
Please sign a copy of this letter and return to me to settle up my arrangement.
Most sincerely,
Malta Stuart
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From: Freddy Magic Man
Destination: Marta Stuart
Everything is wonderful! I am there. I like it: Steak ______ Fish ______
Parts _____________________________________
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Liberty · Award · Founding
Help improve life through investment
2356 Nobody Street
Lancing 98823 in the Netherlands
912 / 555-3456
February 31, 2009
Leon gigantic
Cleveland's big band
1902 Go Jump Street
Pine Gloves, PA 69903
Dear Mr Huge:
You agree to play an 8 piece band for your daughter's wedding at the Forrest Glen Country Club of July 14, 2008, Lions, 2323 Country Club Drive, Oregon from 8 o'clock till late night Thank you very much. As discussed, the band will complete the setting by 6 PM and will play music recorded through the sound system from 6 PM to 8 PM for cocktail hours and dinner.
Also, when I entered around 6:30 pm I agreed to act as a moderator introducing the bride and groom and the whole wedding reception. I will e-mail the lineup at least 1 week before the event. Please show off your dance set at 8:00 pm with your father / daughter's dance "Is not She Lovely". After that, join the dance floor at the end of the song to all wedding parties and play "Celebration".
I understand that the band plays four 45 minute sets in an hour and provides music that I recorded during a break. When you arrive I have a check for $ 2,450 ready for you. If I also collect the parking lot, I will get a complete verification of all of your musicians. I will bring sandwiches, soda, coffee, iced tea and fruit juice to the rest room at 7 p.m. for you and the band. Please check in Diane of the country club. She will show you a rest room.
Please sign below and reply a copy of this letter and confirm that you are on the same page.
Thank you.
Sammy Closed
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Sammy:
All is agreed as it is. We will be there.
Bats ________________________________
© 2007 by Al Lampkin
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