Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT HAPPENS IF I OR MY CHILD IS ACCEPTED TO BE REPRESENTED BY TIME TO SHINE AGENCY?
Once you have completed the online application, we will aim get back to you within 5 working days if successful. You will need to complete the documentation sent to you. This includes: Contract, Profile Form and Health Declaration. You must complete all and send back to us electronically. Time to Shine Agency will then register your information onto our database and wait for you to register yourself/your child onto Spotlight. Once this has been completed and the spotlight membership is live, we can sync the majority of the information across to our IT system called Tagmin. You will be sent log in details and will be able to upload photos, further media such as videos showcasing talents or a show reel and appropriate additional information onto both systems. Both profiles should be completed in full with skills, credits, about me, contact information, photos, location, ethnicity and anything else. Tagmin also needs to have any unavailability dates added to the calendar there.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO JOIN?
To create an individual website page for you/your child, we charge £49.99 per person. You/your child will then have a dedicated page on Tagmin where you can view/update details, add photos and any further media. However, Casting Directors/Bookers will also be able to look on Spotlight or contact us to match their job brief via our search function. This would show only photos and basic details within, not personal data. Main Talent/Model pages will be fully password protected allowing only parents & Talent to access the full personal data.
SPOTLIGHT REGISTRATION
Spotlight is a completely separate organisation to us, but a very important one within the industry. All Talent over 4 years old must join Spotlight! It is a professional website where registered Casting Directors/Production Companies add job/brief summaries. Registered Agents then submit their clients for jobs direct to them for shortlisting. The annual cost for this is approximately £110 per year for young Talent under 25 years on there. The cost increases for Adults thereafter provided the 3 correct, professional credits and/or training has been achieved prior. After the initial year, Talent/Parents will automatically renew direct through Spotlight and other payment options become available, such as monthly direct debit. We are a sole representation agency for all new talent and talent who have their representation renewed. This means you cannot have more than one agent listed on Spotlight. All communication for jobs would be dealt with through us.
PHOTOS
We absolutely advocate that you/your child has professional photos taken with our recommended and fully trusted photographer based in London. The cost for a minimum of 4 photos is £59.99 and we will send them through to you direct after the shoot electronically within a week approximately. These are yours to use as you wish and should be uploaded to profiles ASAP.
Over 90% of jobs come through to agents via Spotlight. This means that without it, you/your child will not be able to access the full opportunities within the industry! Professional photos can be gained from any studio. We do not insist on purchasing our photos via our partnered studio at all.
WHAT WORK DOES TIME TO SHINE AGENCY COVER?
We cover all aspects of work including Musical Theatre Shows, Stage Plays, Cruise Contracts, Photographic, Print, TV, Film, Commercials & Music Videos. This is not an exclusive list as there are always exceptions! We do not just submit for Modelling! Talent must be open to multiple areas of the industry. Technology has changed everything over the years within. Brands need to cover more areas of advertising than ever before to sell their products/services!
CAN I REGISTER WITH ANOTHER AGENCY?
We are a sole representation agency, meaning that you can only be represented by us and not multiple agencies. This gives us the opportunity to focus on a smaller number of talent and their needs in a much better way.
WHAT COMMISSION DOES TIME TO SHINE TAKE?
CHILD (under 16yrs): For modelling assignments, we take 20% and all other work is 25%.
ADULT: We take 18% for all work undertaken.
WHEN WILL I GET PAID FOR A JOB?
The money is normally paid within 30 working days of the job completion date to us in the first instance after invoicing. We pay Talent/Models direct to their own bank account within 21 days after receipt of the monies. We normally receive the daily fee first (BSF) and then the buyout (if applicable) is received within 30 days once aired. Please be aware that children must be paid to their own account, not to a parent.
AS A PARENT/TALENT/MODEL, WHAT DO I NEED TO DO REGULARLY?
All who are represented need to make sure that their/their child’s Spotlight & Tagmin accounts are kept up to date with skills, training, media, measurements and photos etc. Therefore, we recommend logging on every month. Any unavailability dates MUST be added to the calendar on Tagmin. This is extremely important as this will affect our submissions and the information that Casting Directors/Bookers will see first! We, as professional, busy agents do not want to submit you or a child/Talent for jobs when photos or information is completely out of date or you are not actually available to attend! Spotlight should also be logged into every month and kept up to date. It is important to update credits, training, skills and talents etc regularly, as well as update photos when needed. A show reel is requested more than ever now so could be a great addition to your/your child’s Spotlight profile. It’s also worth contacting your Council to find out the child licensing time needed to complete in advance of being successful in gaining a job.
Please don’t add anything to profiles that is not correct or that you wouldn’t feel comfortable attending a casting/audition for!
We also expect great communication which will work both ways, especially around unavailability dates! Please confirm attendance to an audition/casting quickly. These would be sent via email/text message so it’s important to keep this up to date. Auditions/Castings can be very last minute and the majority of them will be held in London. You have to be prepared to travel or at least try your very best to make the date/time! We are however receiving increasingly more requests for self-tapes, which can be done on a phone and in the comfort of home surroundings. The key is to send self-tapes back before the deadline and reply to our messages quickly, so we can respond to directors/production quickly in turn! Please do not request representation for you/your child if you have very limited availability due to work or other commitments.
If you would like to know more, you could take a look at our brand new online intro to the industry video course. It can be seen via the link below:
Further questions not covered in the above can always be asked via the contact form below: