A snap Shot with Agent Neal Wright at The Jewell Wright Agency
Neal Wright is a partner at Jewell Wright Agency Ltd. Previously known as Ladida Management (est. 2005), JWL represents artists worldwide on screen, radio and stage. JWL is a division of Ladida Group. Neal worked part-time for Ladida Management from its inception whilst completing a long and successful stage and screen career. Neal joined the company full-time in 2009.
Vincenzo} Hello Neal. Thanks for taking part in my Vincenzo Photography BLOG a snap shot with…
Being an agent at Jewell Wright Ltd must be a tough yet rewarding job ? Has the business changed much since you first became an agent?
Neal} For me it changes all the time and you have to be on top of things/situations as much as possible, everyday is a new challenge.
Vincenzo} Is being an agent a tough job?
Neal} I would say it’s a very interesting job, some days are tougher than others but never the less very enjoyable for me
Vincenzo} How did your agency form?
Neal} It formed 8 years a go from Jimmy and Rebecca Jewell and I was lucky to be part of that team from day one
Vincenzo} What is your daily agency routine. Describe a typical work day in your current position.
Neal} Routine? The basics are usually opening the office, pick-up answering machines messages, opening the emails – representation etc, check my emails, look at Spotlight submissions and then I can start my day by calling either clients about work or Casting Directors to get them work.
Vincenzo} At what point did you decide you wanted to be an agent?
Neal} After having a few meetings and a little persuasion from Jimmy, I was ready for the next stage of my life and since 2009 I’m still enjoying the ride.
Vincenzo} What type of actors do you like to represent? And do you specialise?
Neal} We specialise in everything, well apart from voice over work.
Vincenzo} What’s the best thing about being an agent?
Neal} All the challenges it haves and I enjoy meeting new people from all areas of the industry and we have a great atmosphere and work ethic in the office.
Vincenzo} What’s the worst thing about being an agent?
Neal} For me one of the worst things is when a client that you’ve worked with for a long time and have a very good professional relationship decides to leave, but that’s life and it’s never always easy to deal with at first.
Vincenzo} Before being an agent did you have any other interesting jobs?
Neal} I used to perform – that was a very interesting and different world
Vincenzo} Agencies get lots of representation requests on a daily basis, What is a good way to get your attention?
Neal} Cover letter – slightly quirky is always good, to get our attention
Vincenzo} Should actors avoid sending emails for representation to your office? IS this a real way of not getting seen?
Neal} On the website we request hard copies to be sent to the office with SAE
Vincenzo} What is that you look for in an actors CV / headshot?
Neal} A good headshot is always good either B/W or Colour, I like to see an actors diversity in the roles that they’ve had the opportunity to play
Vincenzo} In terms of actors headshots, are we getting closer to using more colour. Some casting directors love colour and some don’t! Do you think colour photographs are a distraction and should actors applying for representation to your office stick to black and white?
Neal} I do think we are heading in the ‘Colour’ headshot direction but to be honest, for me, certain shots look better in either B/W or colour so still – slightly sitting on the fence – both are still good and some Casting Directors don’t mind either as long at its a recent, good representation of you. So no point sending or having headshots, for example, with short hair then turning up at the audition/meeting long hair etc.
Vincenzo} Has The Spotlight link made your job easier and why?
Neal} Very easy, we have the option to swap and change headshots depending on what the breakdown has requested.
Vincenzo} Should an actor worry about feedback comments from every audition ? Is that something that you seek out from the casting director?
Neal} Casting Directors are very busy with hundreds/thousands of CV’s to go through, sorting out auditions, recalls etc, so feedback can very hard to get hold of, if we do we always pass it on to the client – as otherwise how can they improve on the next recall or audition.
Vincenzo} Are there any helpful hints and advice that you can give out to our readers about representation interviews for your agency? What can students expect?
Neal} To be honest, relaxed, have questions prepared and always do research and that’s with regard to any agency. Students can expect .. well if they get called in for a meeting they will find out then.
Vincenzo} Reality television casting programs such as How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? Grease, I’ll Do anything etc – are searching for acting talent.
Is this a good thing or has it made your job less of a joy? How has this impacted?
Neal} It depends on who you talk to regarding reality TV, it’s brought a new audience to the theatre which for some people is great and for others not so great. The reality is without the the public watching these shows and coming the theatre a lot more theatres would be going dark and unfortunately increasing the number of actors out of work.
It does make it slightly harder for agents as a few actors/actress still want the fast track and feel the ’15 minutes of fame’ is still the way forward but they do forget that to make it good TV, editing gets involved and that’s when they either make you or break you.
Vincenzo} and finally…Your Star Sign?
Neal} Aries
Vincenzo} Favorite actor/actress?
Neal} To many to mention ….
Neal, thanks for taking the time for taking to be part of A snap shot with…
I know our readers will find it all very interesting!
Best Vincenzo
If you are in the moof=d for another agent interview you can also check out the interview with The BWH Agency.
