We're are here for lots of reasons, but in a nutshell, this is what we do...
- We maintain a professional, on time, and prepared client roster with accurate information in our booking system for each client.
- We submit our client roster for jobs based on client-communicated availability combined with casting director submission requests.
- We work with casting to reserve clients for their projects, relay booking information from casting to our clients, and make sure clients (through confirmations) have received the correct booking information.
- We keep a smaller roster so we can know all of our clients by name, but still have enough clients to meet casting director needs.
- We are truthful, reliable, accurate, friendly, and professional to clients and casting.
Of course, we do LOTS more than that, but again... in a nutshell. Calling services add accountability and reliability to the casting equation. Just to be 100% clear, we are not a casting company, nor are we casting directors.
So what is the Krekorian Talent Act and how does it come into play?
Effective January 1, 2010, the Krekorian Talent Act set forth specific rules in the California labor code that speak to Talent Listing Services (more casually know as calling services/call-in services) among other types of businesses, including Talent Counseling Services, Talent Training Services, Advance-Fee Talent Representation Services, Talent Scouts, and some rules that affect Casting Companies.
I can't speak to all other types of businesses, because we focused on parts of the law that pertain to Talent Listing Services, but the Krekorian Talent Act did make it so casting could not charge for registration or any other fees for actors.
At first the Krekorian Talent Act just seemed like a big pain and a paperwork nightmare, but because we were already an upstanding business, we just had to get bonded and create a service agreement that reflected policies that were already in place, just communicated verbally. Well into our 4th year, I'm happy that the Krekorian Talent Act set standards for our little niche in the background casting world and, through our service agreement, has provided a clear document of what our expectations are for someone is active on service.
And now for the actual Krekorian Talent Act.
If you want to read it, click here. It's in super dry legalese, so I'll go over the parts that pertain to us.
About the act itself...
- Nothing in this act is intended to prohibit talent training services, talent counseling services, and talent listing services from conducting business provided they comply with the provisions and prohibitions set forth in this act.
Business type: Talent Listing Service...
- (g) "Talent listing service" means a person who, for a fee from, or on behalf of, an artist, provides or offers to provide, or advertises or represents itself as providing, an artist, directly or by referral to another person, with any of the following:
- (4) Storage or maintenance for distribution or disclosure to a person represented as offering an audition or employment opportunity, or to a talent agent, talent manager, or an associate, representative, or designee of a talent agent or talent manager, of either of the following:
- (B) an artist's schedule of availability for an audition or employment opportunity.
The Krekorian Talent Act then goes into the specifics of what should be included (at minimum) in a companies service agreement and specifics for the Bond that must be on file with the Labor Commissioner. (Look under "Article 3. Other Talent Services" for the full list.) Our service agreement complies with their guidelines, we have our bond number listed as they need it to be, and we have some additional Jessica's A List specific clauses included in our document as well. To be legal, all Talent Listing Services must have the minimum requirements as listed in the Krekorian Talent Act.
Restrictions...
- (c) A talent listing service and its owners, officers, directors, agents, and employees shall not do either of the following:
- (1) Own, operate, or have a direct or indirect financial interest in a talent training service or a talent counseling service.
- (2) Provide a listing of an audition, job, or employment opportunity without written permission for the listing. A talent listing service shall keep and maintain a copy of all original listings; the name, business address, and business telephone number of the person granting permission to the talent listing service to use the listing; and the date the permission was granted.
- (3) Make or cause to be made an advertisement or representation that includes the trademark, logo, name, word, or phrase of a company or organization, including a studio, production company, network, broadcaster, talent agency licensed pursuant to Section 1700.5, labor union, or organization as defined in Section 1117, in any manner that falsely or misleadingly suggests the endorsement, sponsorship, approval, or affiliation of a talent service.
If you have questions, please comment below and I'll do my best to answer them!
