Lots of illustrators seek an artist representative in hopes of finding more illustration work . . . but an artist representative does much more than that . . . can you please define your role more specifically?
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At AGM we work closely with our artists and manage all aspects of their careers. This is why we call ourselves " Anna Goodson Management " and don't just refer to ourselves as Reps. We work together with our artist and discuss their style, direction and portfolio. We handle all aspects of the business development, marketing, promoting, and public relations, leaving our illustrators to concentrate on illustrating.
Anna Goodson (more answers by this person)
owner
ANNA GOODSON MANAGEMENT, INC.
http://www.agoodson.com
Lots of illustrators seek an artist representative in hopes of finding more illustration work . . . but an artist representative does much more than that . . . can you please define your role more specifically?
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You're right, artist representatives do more than just get artists more work. Of course we know that getting more work, better work and higher paying work are the primary goals most artists have for us but the simple fact is that you are all very unique and have different goals and objectives.
I see our responsibility as going beyond getting work to cultivating the image, appeal, reputation and exposure of an illustrator, managing many aspects of their business and helping them develop creatively in a direction that they feel connected to as well as one that will be promotable and profitable. In other industries artists might have an agent, a manager and a publicist. In our industry we serve as all three. There is bound to be variety from agency to agency in what services are provided to an illustrator, but I think most agents would agree that they step into all three sets of shoes at one point or another every day. The term 'artist representative' is actually starting to sound limited in scope compared to the activities our agency performs, in fact even the term 'agent' sounds too limited considering what we provide.
Notwithstanding the different experience levels illustrators may enter an agency at, their portfolios need to be honed to best present their style, artistry, vision, interests and conceptualization skills. Portfolios need to be maintained and updated on a regular basis, customized for specific clients when necessary. Artwork must be loaded on agency websites along with bio and client information, again all to be continuously updated. Reps design and produce mailers, ads in advertising annuals and other forms of print promotion passing substantial savings on to artists by virtue of being part of a group. We participate in the illustration competitions and take care of the entry process. We get our illustrators into art books, magazine articles and edited art annuals. We make recommendations on galleries and are often a pit stop for curators and gallery owners searching for talent. We attend conventions and industry seminars staying current and aiming ahead of the curve. We help mentor and guide illustrators in new directions such as publishing and licensing, creating goals that include self-motivated work to create opportunities. Let's not forget the work that many illustrators find boring, tedious and time consuming: estimates, pitches, presentations, negotiating, billing, collecting and so on.
Lastly, good agencies are respected by clients and seen as a filter for more than just talent. When a client hires an illustrator through an agency they expect that the illustrator will deliver excellent work on many levels. The expect the process will be professionally handled and the illustrator will be both creative and responsive, providing final work that reflects the caliber of illustration in their portfolio every time. We are a conduit, a safeguard, an editing process in a creative world crowded with illustration choices.
Chrystal Falcioni (more answers by this person)
Artist Representitive, Owner
MAGNET REPS
http://www.magnetreps.com
