What is the Difference Between a Casting Director & Talent Agent?
Talent Agents are not paid by the production and instead earn a commission (usually 15%) of the Performers gross earnings on the work their clients have done. The Talent Agents send their clients to auditions, negotiate contracts on their behalf, etc. They rarely represent Background Performers. Casting Agents (Casting Directors) are paid by the production to find the best actors for roles. They may or may not also cast the Background Performers on a film, and may charge Background Performers (who are not members) a registration fee. Casting people do not take a percentage of the performers gross earnings. Please remember that it is normally the prerogative of your agent to contact casting directors directly.
