AGENTS OF CHANGE

As an agent with over 20 years of experience in this industry, I feel compelled to comment on the article regarding the changing face of the agency business (“The New World Order,” by Elaine Dutka, June 23).

While the big guys spend a majority of their time wooing clients from other agencies, many talented but lesser-known artists frequently get lost in the shuffle but stay at these big agencies because of all the press coverage they receive in industry publications. Agencies like ours serve a vital function in the Hollywood community because we offer “mid-level” clients a place to go and take responsibility for starting and reinvigorating careers.

It’s a sad state of affairs when one big agency’s client receives $20 million on a film and everyone else gets scale! The middle-class actor is becoming extinct. Gone are the days at the big agencies when people like Abe Lastfogel, Ted Ashley and Ron Meyer would discover a new client, groom them and then hound directors and producers to come out and see their new finds. We the mid-sized agencies farm the stars of tomorrow only to have many of our clients lured away from us.

The bottom line is that we all have access to the same people. The grass is not necessarily greener on the other side of the fence--just slicker! Instead of people declaring “open season” on CAA, how about some healing statements supporting each other? Oops, I forgot I’m in Hollywood!

DARRYL MARSHAK

Partner, Gold Marshak

Liedtke Associates, Burbank