Talent agents and the film industry
When it comes to the film industry, talent agents play a pivotal role in the regular functioning of what goes on. Yet, talent agents are a dimension of the film industry that has been neglected by the social sciences. In light of this, the EU-funded TAFIND (Talent agents in the American film industry: How cinematic careers and projects are shaped behind the scenes) project analysed the activities of talent agents from a sociological viewpoint – the sociology of work intertwined with the sociology of art and culture. The work consisted mainly of sociological in-depth anonymous interviews with present and former talent agents and in situ observations at various types of talent agencies. Interviews were conducted regarding professional path and practices. The observation sessions took place at three different talent agencies. Results indicated the importance of the agents' professional abilities to build and foster interpersonal connections in the entertainment world. The work shows the way in which special skills are acquired in this context. The collected data is of use to researchers and practitioners of the entertainment industry as well as to a broader audience. It can also help advance discussions about methodology and theory in the social sciences.
