The different types of agencies: Model vs. Casting

It is crucial to understand that agencies within the industry can be divided into two key forms: model agencies and casting agencies.

Put simply, a model agency is an organisation that represents models within the industry. By creating opportunities for their models through liaising with clients, the model agency will often gain its profitability through commission-based earnings.

Casting agencies instead act as the initial point of contact between models and the wider industry. As effective scouts for talent, casting agencies will work to pitch models for different opportunities across a range of channels, without necessarily having an exclusive contract with the individual.

The benefits of both

Model agencies and casting companies both provide an individual with numerous benefits, both exclusive and shared. One of such is the doors that are opened by both sets of agencies. Joining a casting agency can link an individual with previously out of reach job prospects, while a model agency will do its utmost to broaden the range of exposure each of its models has within the industry.

The expertise of casting agencies is also key in negotiating better deals for those models advertised on their sites, while model agencies are compelled to gain higher pay for their models as they work off of commission. 

While casting agencies do require a sign-up fee, the lack of commission taken when a model is matched with a job opportunity can result in rightful pay for models, rather than vast sums of real wage being subtracted via commission payments.

Which will work for you?

Luckily, casting and model agencies are not mutually exclusive. This means that a model can list themselves with a casting company while also working with one particular model agency. 

Take a look at our checklist below to see which each type of agency entails: