Talent Agents and Scouts

Learn as much as possible about the industry that interests you. If it's film, read the publications that agents read, such as Variety (https://variety.com), The Hollywood Reporter (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com), and Entertainment Weekly (https://ew.com). Watch current movies to get a sense of the established and up-and-coming talents in the film industry. Track the careers of actors whom you like, including their early work in independent films, commercials, and stage work.

For sports, watch games and pay attention to the negotiations for players. Read media reports on the management, coaching, and team-building strategies for professional sports.

To explore the world of fashion and modeling, read Vogue (https://www.vogue.com), and other beauty and glamour magazines. Attend fashion shows. Learn about fashion photography.

If interested in art or literature, study both historical and current trends. There are numerous art and literary review publications in the library and on newsstands. Look for Art Business News Magazine (https://artbusinessnews.com) and Communication Arts (https://www.commarts.com).

If you live in Los Angeles or New York, you may be able to volunteer or intern at an agency to find out more about the career. If you live outside Los Angeles and New York, search the Web for listings of local agencies. Most major cities have agents who represent local performing artists, actors, and models. Contact them to see if they can offer some insight into the nature of talent management in general.