The "ATA"

ATA President Sandy Bresier and ATA Member Harry Gold

The Association of Talent Agents (ATA) is a Los Angeles based non- profit trade association that has been in business for seventy years. They have two primary offices, which are located in Los Angles and New York. ATA membership consists of agencies that represent clients in stage, television, radio, commercials, motion pictures and literary work. The original name for the ATA was Artist Managers Guild when it started in 1937 but was changed after the courts upheld the Wagner act. Today, it is one of the most respected associations in the talent industry. ATA also partners with another association called the NATR (National Association of Talent Representatives) and collectively it is estimated that together they represent 90% of the artist working in the entertainment industry as well employ one thousand talent agents in the business.

Agents at ATA make sure that the artists they represent have secure opportunities. They keep their clients updated with the most current information in technology used in the market as well as in the entertainment industry. ATA has a direct affiliation with the newly combined union SAG-AFTRA. Any information about the union can be found directly on ATA’s website under union news. 

Some of the benefits of being a member of the ATA are: ATA/Sag residual tracking, membership discounts, round table discussions with peers, daily email blast and monthly board meetings.

ATA has several services that are available to all the members of the association such as:

ATA provides assistance in dispute resolution provided for agency regulations and contracts. 

In addition, they set up procedures for SAG-AFTRA agencies termination process.

ATA assist members with commission grievances and contracts, employee changes, referrals related to bonds, insurance and health care.

ATA conducts regular meetings with members, employees, and unions to keep all affiliates up dated with any new legislature.

Talent agency licensing, laws relating to talent agents, and provision laws relating to agents in California are linked on the website so when information can be accessed easily.

This concludes our brief look at the Association of Talent Agents and what it has to offer a business involved in the talent market. The ATA is an important organization for the talent management and talent agency industry because it provides help with services from every aspect of owning a business in the talent industry.

References:

ATA http://www.agentassociation.com/index.cfm

NATR http://www.natragents.com/

Either you know what your passion is very early in life…….. If you are lucky!!!!!

Or like most of us we find that our passion takes years to figure out …….So we think!

I believe our passion surfaces the first moment someone asks, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” and usually we are about five or six when we answer that question. Unfortunately, by the time we grow up and start learning from our parents, our peers, our history, and soak up all the media influences, we begin to loose our passion or push it so far back in our subconscious that we forget about it. We unknowing go though life after digesting other outside influences trying to figure out something we have only buried. Some of us remember in our early teens and some of us remember late in life, but unfortunately some of us get so distracted from life that we never remember.

I believe everything eventfully comes full circle. I can only be certain of this from my own life experiences. When I was a little girl, I answered that question by saying I wanted to be an actress. By the time I went to college I started to pursue acting but changed my major to computer programming because “they” said it was the future and that was the smart thing to do. Later I became bored with it and changed my major to communications. Years went by with me trying to play by society rules, but I would always find positions where I was the center of attention like bartending. By the way, if I could do that job forever I would, because it has all the elements I love. When I bartend I am an independent contractor, I make my own schedule, I determine my own salary and I am the center of attention for eight hours a night...... Or is that thought my passion surfacing?
Even now my passion has kept me involved in the entertainment industry as well as fuel my love for voice-acting. Passion is a strong emotion, I find that it does not matter how fast you run from it or how deep you hide from it, it will surface and some how direct your life journey.

The TED talk video I chose is called "The Third Act" with Jane Fonda, she has always allowed her passions to direct her life’s journey. Jane is one of those people I have always admired because she has always been honest about her passions though out her life. In this video, she is passionate about sharing her experiences during her present journey, the "Winter" of her life. I enjoyed the brief glimpse she gave me in this “Talk” because God willing, one day I will be on the same journey.    

One of the great actors of our generation Sherman Hemsley has passed on at age 74. He was found in his El Paso Texas home on Tuesday July 24^th 2012, the cause of death is not known but being reported due to natural causes. He was never married and had no children. Sherman was born in South Philadelphia, later moved to New York to pursue an acting career. While he studied acting at night he worked at the post office during the day. He began his career performing in plays and made his Broadway debut in the musical called Purlie; which was based on the book by Ossie Davis. Norman Lear saw him perform and offered him the role of the bigot “George Jefferson” playing opposite the rival bigot character “Archie Bunker” played by Carroll O’Conner and to join the cast of  “All in the Family.”  Sherman later got his own spin-off show called “The Jefferson’s” and the phase “moving on up” was born. We will always remember the great actor Sherman Hemsley and what contribution he made to our generation.

We had to say farewell to Sherman’s co-star Isabel Sanford on July 9, 2004 at the age of 86. She was born in Harlem New York and got her debut role in 1967 in the movie “Guess who’s coming to Dinner” opposite actors like Sidney Poitier as the maid “Tillie Binks”. Norman Lear also approached her about the role of “Louise Jefferson” for the show “All in the Family”. As the story goes, she almost didn’t accept the role because there was a bucket of Kentucky Fried chicken left for her in her dressing room. But Norman explained there was no pun intended, it was how he welcomed everyone and the rest is history.

“The Jefferson’s”  now reside in that BIG Old High Rise Apartment in the Sky!!!! They will truly be missed.

                                                          RIP Goerge and Wizzie!

References:

Kathryn Shattuck (13 July 2004). "Isabel Sanford, 86, Actress Who Portrayed Mrs. Jefferson, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-19.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/25/arts/television/sherman-hemsley-star-of-the-jeffersons-dies-at-74.html?hp

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People Behind the Voices

Voiceover talent is a very big area of entertainment that is not discussed as much as other areas in the industry. We all listen to voiceover artist everyday in television, radio and streaming commercials without realizing it. In a way, voice-overs as a whole is the one art we take for granted. We never pay attention to recording from the automated voice heard when we call our service companies, or when we look at our favorite documentaries, or wildlife animal specials and especially cartoons; we just expect the magic voice to tell us the story without thinking of the actor behind the scene who is reading a script; or that by simply reading words with emotion could materialize into a lucrative career just like an on screen actor or radio personality.  

Here are a few voice actors you may have heard of...........

                                         But without a doubt you have heard their voices.........

Don Lafontaine is called “The Voice” he has been the voice behind the most famous movie trailers in movie history. Don was the man who changed the industry of how movie trailers were announced. He also lends his voice to television and radio.

Keith David is just as popular on screen as he is as a voice actor behind the scenes. In front of the camera we are familiar with seeing him play roles as the big stuff intimidating type. But as a voice actor he gets the opportunity to be the voice behind a variety of different advertizing promos, commercials,  narrative spots, and cartoons.  

J.K Simmons is another actor who we all know from shows like Law and Order and The Closer as well the face of the guy from those crazy Farmers Insurance commercials. But Simmons also has an impressive voice over resume. He is also the voice of several different cartoon characters.

Understanding the Basics of Artist Development.

This blog introduces new artist in the industry.

Darnell Nicole, is a twenty-four year old actress, model, and dancer from New Orleans, she is currently living and working in New York City. She just finished an Indie film called “Kiss the Bride” available for purchase on Netflix.com. She played one of the bride’s maids along with Persia White from “Girl Friends” and Darrin Henson. In 2009, she premiered in an Indie film called “Coming Correct” in the role of Dena. Her Biography can be viewed on Website

Shera Jones goes by the artist name (Shera J.) she is a twenty-two year old singer, songwriter from Brooklyn New York. She currently finished a video featuring rapper Uncle Murda introducing her latest song“Watch Me Groove”. Her songs and singing ability has the range to fit all genres of music. She performs shows live in the New York City and Tri- State area. You can see all of her music videos on YouTube or listen to he music on her Website Shera-J.com.

Stephanie Valkanas, is an actress, singer, comedian from Washington, D. C. who resides in NYC, she currently working in an off-Broadway international Tour with the Leonidas theatre Company. She performs as a comedian in clubs in the New York City area. You can catch her first performance as a comedian  at Gotham Comedy Club on YouTube. She is mostly known for her work in the musical theatre. You can read her Bio on her Website StephanieValkanas.com