Joel Carlton
Theatrical agent, DGRW
Talent Agency, New York
As a former actor before the advent of the Internet, email, and cell phones, I still ponder how we managed to do business before the communication technology advances -- mind you, this was the early 1990s, not pony-and-carriage times. In terms of expeditiously being able to communicate with my clients, it is tremendously beneficial. Also, the many options of disseminating information ensure that important details are delivered in a timely fashion. Gone are the days of leaving a message with an answering service and then having to dictate to a client all the salient information in a single phone call. A quick voice mail on the cell followed up by an email covers all bases.
However, I am of the belief that email correspondence can be limiting in terms of full communication and relationship-building between an agent and client. Even the most artfully crafted email is bereft of the subtlety, nuance, and simple emotion that a conversation can bring. An email correspondence, no matter how intimate, has a certain sterile detachment in it. While email is exceedingly convenient, there is nothing that really can replace the value in actually "communing" with a client via a conversation, the back-and-forth interplay of which is the essence of communication and the strengthening of that relationship.
Angela M. Hutchinson
Theatrical and commercial agent, RPM Talent Agency, Los Angeles
I do not believe that the actor-agent relationship is suffering because of the digital revolution. If anything, electronic communication enables me to spend more time working on my client's behalf. If an actor would like to have more communication with his or her agent than the agent is providing, the actor should consider signing with another agent who shares the talent's viewpoint. I think it is difficult to maintain a healthy business relationship if the actor and agent are not on the same page as it relates to effective communication.
I am usually quite sensitive to the mindset of actors, but I have to say that actors should spend less time worried about communicating with their agents and focus more on accomplishing their career goals. Many times, actors find excuse after excuse to fault something or someone for their lack of success. I think it is important for actors to embrace the digital revolution and find ways to strengthen the relationship with their agent and manager via personal websites, MySpace, blogs, etc. The digital revolution is providing actors with an opportunity to take more control of their careers. Actors should take advantage of our technologically advancing society.
If an actor is talented, trained, and tenacious and continues to book audition after audition, I am positive the agent will not forget about the client and the relationship is far from suffering. As we speak, the agent is probably using electronic communication to secure the talent's next gig, which may very well be a national SAG webisode that pays $20,000.
Sarabeth Schedeen
Senior theatrical agent,
Metropolitan Talent Agency, Los Angeles
We have embraced the digital revolution and try to use it to our best advantage. I had the benefit of being an agent for 12 years through the '80s, and we didn't yet communicate via email. Business was approached in a more personal way. There were more meetings, dinners, and time for phone conversations. Then I became a manager for another dozen years and emailing began. Business and activities picked up speed because of this huge added form of communication. Some embraced it quicker than others. And I know most people struggled with balancing phone calls to stay in voice touch and emails to stay in info touch.
And now having returned to agenting the last three years, email is the prevalent form of communication between my clients and me. I have found that emailing works better for me as an agent than it did as a manager. With fewer clients, as a manager I not only had the time to hear their voices but I wanted to. I wanted to hear their state of mind and what they were up to, often on a daily basis. But as an agent, the job description is different, and I simply can't take the time for this level of intimate managerial communication. Due to the speed of our day and the accelerated activity caused by scripts, sides, and appointments being sent via email, we need to go faster in everything we do. I absolutely find I am in closer touch with my clients as an agent due to email.
Hollywood runs on perception and communication. My emails to and from clients are generally straight info, and no mood or emotion needs to be communicated. Simple information and details sent by email accelerate momentum. I encourage clients to email. I can often be reached on my email (due to my BlackBerry) when I am not able to take a call, especially off-hours and weekends. During business hours, we can take calls, make pitches, review materials, and answer emails all at once. A lot more info can flow in and out for me as an agent with added communication between the client and myself. This doesn't cut out the need to have a lunch or a chat when a conversation beyond a few lines needs to be had or a decision must be made. But once the client knows I welcome the Internet communication, they love it and use it freely, to both our benefits.
Tim Weissman
Theatrical agent, the House of Representatives,
Beverly Hills, Calif.
The digital revolution has made keeping in contact and maintaining relationships with clients that much easier. With cell phones, instant messenger, email, etc., I'm able to get in touch that much quicker. With sites like MySpace, Facebook, and Friendster, I can add clients as buddies and get to know them on a much more personal level outside of the office, even if I can't get to physically see them outside of it.