Talent agents: What do they do? What do performers at all career levels need to know about their central function in the entertainment industry ecosystem? And, of course, how does one reach representation, and therefore opportunity? “In the Envelope’s” latest deep-dive on a particular aspect of the biz features interviews with first Shauna Perlman of Creative Artists Agency, then both Jason Rodriguez and Ricardo Sebastián of the recently launched Arraygency.

CAA is one of Hollywood’s oldest and biggest agencies, managing A-list actors along with writers, directors, hosts, sports and music stars, and other creatives. Shauna Perlman got her start at United Talent Agency before eventually coming to CAA and representing the likes of Rachel Brosnahan, Anthony Ramos, Teyonah Parris, Sebastian Stan, and Henry Winkler. One of her many points to talent looking for representation? Representation is on the lookout for talent. “Putting out the work is everything, keep staying focused on that,” she advises. “And you will find the team that is meant to be helping you on your journey.” For more on CAA, visit our Call Sheet: https://bit.ly/3DDjy5u

Arraygency, a talent agency founded by actor-dancer Jason Rodriguez (star of FX’s “Pose”) and manager-entrepreneur Ricardo Sebastián, is an initiative focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion “to better meet the needs of BIPOC, Queer and Trans creatives in the entertainment industry,” per www.arraygency.com. “There’s space for all of us to be successful and to create a life that’s meaningful,” Ricardo tells Backstage. “That’s why we’re focusing on creating a community.” Jason’s advice for his fellow performers is to define artistic goals, remember that success is subjective, and optimize your work for an industry newly focused on hearing from minority voices: “We want to do things differently, where we’re preparing our talent for when they walk into work, but also preparing the work for our talent.”

For resources and reading on acting agents, Backstage has you covered: https://bit.ly/3kNcwlJ---Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ

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Special thanks to...- Host: Jack Smart- Producer: Jamie Muffett- Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli- Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins- Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis