Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Garvey Myers.
Barbara, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve been “behind the scenes” for most of my adult life, from a “stage mom” to directing regional theatre to help cast a thousand zombies for an independent feature film. I’ve worn many hats in the industry, from acting in student and indie films at the University of Virginia to co-writing and producing a web TV series to helping with casting for several films and web series and more. I’ve always gravitated to helping others and working in my community. I’ve been a Trustee of Georgia Highlands College (part of the University system of Georgia), President of the FPC Medical Alliance, Regional VP for Medical Alliance of Georgia and served on the boards of dozens of charities, including Heart Association, Dogwood Ball, etc. I’ve published articles in several magazines, danced in two Dance Marathons, and trained for two years in order to serve as an Envoy at the 1996 Olympic Games. (I like to stay busy!)
While my “official career” was in public relations, marketing and fundraising, I spent my “free time” directing summer acting camps and running a performing arts troupe for over a decade. Through this, I met a wonderful new friend, Kelly Tippens, who was starting an agency for kids in Atlanta. She came to one of my camps and worked with the kids and teens, picking up several for her agency. When she decided a year later that she wanted to pursue casting instead of agenting, she offered me the opportunity to own the agency. As my youngest was headed off to UCLA to join her older sister already in Los Angeles, I figured it might be fun and keep me from “empty-nesting” too much. Fast forward to a decade later and the agency has grown by leaps and bounds, now representing talent from 5 to 85 years old.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been a smooth road? I see the agency as more of a snowball, racing down a beautiful mountain… picking up speed as the industry in Atlanta has also gained a lot of momentum. The path is not always smooth. It is always unpredictable. This isn’t a business where you work hard and are rewarded, especially for the individual talents– and that is a hard thing for people to understand.
Managing client expectations and trying to keep them from falling victim to the scams and schemes takes a lot of my time and patience. I’m not a “tell them what they want to hear” kind of person. I just don’t operate that way.
It’s a job where you work for months– if not years– on a talent’s behalf for NO pay (because you only get a percentage of what you help them book). It’s disheartening when you put years into developing a talent who then just leaves you for what they perceive as “greener pastures.”
I do this job because it fulfills my need to help others reach their goals. I constantly tell my clients that I’m less concerned with the money than I am with them remembering to thank us “little folks” who helped them when they win their Oscar!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about East Coast Talent Agency – what should we know?
I think that East Coast Talent Agency is known by casting offices as being fast, reliable and always available to help them find the best talent for their projects. They know that they can depend on me and that I will answer their calls and texts 24/7. I don’t go anywhere without my phone!
My kids and teens are a very strong part of the agency, which makes sense since we started as a kid’s agency. I have many who have grown into the adult side and I’m very proud of them. One of my longtime and most successful clients is Chandler Riggs, who plays “Carl” on “The Walking Dead.” He started with me when he was a young boy in season one–and now is one of the most popular young adults on television as we head into the 100th episode airing this fall.
One thing that sets us apart from some other agencies is that I rarely drop a client for not booking. If I feel strongly enough about you to sign you, and you are working hard to stay in classes and you give me the headshots, etc. to market you, then I’m going to keep fighting for you. I do have clients who have been in the agency for a year or two without a single booking– and then, BAM, they book a major TV or Film role. Sometimes, it just takes a while. I’m always telling my clients that “it’s a marathon, not a sprint!”
Another thing that I think is a bit different is that I encourage my agency clients to get out and “do something” outside of the “actor game.” For example, our agency spearheaded a relief drive to a hurricane-ravaged area in our state, sending two trucks filled with water, clothing, etc. We’ve collected restaurant gift cards for The Ronald McDonald House and support other charities, like the Isaiah Alonso Foundation with toy drives. I’m very proud that my agency really acts as an extended family in many ways, supporting the projects that are near and dear to our hearts.
To help expand our horizons, I work with film festivals, including the Marietta International Film Festival where I am now on the board. I also am a co-owner of Film Racing which sponsors 24 Hour and 100 Hour film races to encourage indie filmmakers. I encourage my clients to write, produce, direct and act in these opportunities and supported dozens of independent films in a variety of roles.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My clients know that they can trust me, trust that I am working for them and that I will give them my best advice and guidance. I work hard. I’m always working. I LOVE working. I really feel that if you don’t trust your agent, trust that they are working hard for you, then the relationship is not going to work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ECTagency.com
- Email: ECTsubmissions@gmail.com (For Consideration For Representation)
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ect_agency/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EastCoastTalent/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ECTAgency
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
