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Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Talent agencies in the California bay Area

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Expert: - 9/20/2008


Question
My 9 year old son wants to get into the entertainment business. I'm told by anyone and everyone that meets him, that I need to get him into the modeling and acting field.  We are in San Francisco/Bay Area, CA and I was wondering how do I find a legitimate talent agent to represent him without getting scammed?  Do you have any recommendations or know of any agents in the area?

Answer
The best recommendation I can offer, is to work with the list of franchised agents from the Screen Actor's Guild.  Those are some of the better agencies in the US, and cover both acting and commercial print modeling.

You will still need to visit the websites (if available) of the agencies (list below) to find out what ages and types of talent they represent, and what each agency wants to see for consideration from new faces/new talent.

There should be at least a couple agencies that might be right for your son in that area, and because of his age he may not need professional materials yet to submit (such as an actor's headshot/resume and/or modeling composite card.)

Good luck to you both,
~Kitty
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Boom Models & Talent
Full Service (All Ages)
2325 3RD STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107
415-626-6591
http://www.boomagency.com/

Dizon Model & Talent Agency
Full Service (All Ages)
873 SUTTER ST., SUITE B SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109
415-567-3253
http://www.dizonagency.com/

Film Theatre Actors Exchange
390 28TH AVENUE #3 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121
415-379-9308

J E Talent, LLC
Full Service (All Ages)
323 GEARY, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102
415-395-9475
http://www.jetalent.com/

Marla Dell Talent Agency Inc
2124 UNION STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123
415-563-9213
http://www.marladell.com/

Panda Agency
3721 HOEN AVENUE SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
707-576-0711

San Francisco Top Models and Talent
Full Service (All Ages)
2261 MARKET STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114
415-391-1800
http://www.sftoptalent.com/

Talent Plus Agency/Los Latinos Talent
2801 MOORPARK AVE #11, SAN JOSE, CA 95128
831-443-5542
http://www.talentplusloslatinos.com/

Tonry Talent Agency
Full Service (All Ages)
885 BRYANT STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103
415-543-3797
http://www.tonrytalent.com/
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Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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Volunteer

Kitty Kavey

Expertise

I can answer questions from those looking to get into the fashion or commercial modeling industry. Specifically, the requirements, what is needed, how to find an agent, what they look for, how to avoid scams, the difference between what a commercial model does, and a fashion model, would travel/relocation be required, what is on a comp card and in your portfolio.

Experience

Both my acting and modeling resume/portfolio is available online on my website. I am a member of the Screen Actors Guild, and also have available my actor's demo reel and voice-over demo online. I founded both the Florida-Models.com and Florida-Actors.com websites, which provide free modeling and acting info to the public. I have moved into directing, producing and screenwriting - and have won awards for my writing. I have worked in the industry as both a model and actress in Florida, New York City and Los Angeles until October 2007. I now reside in Europe.

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