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If you are a
doctor or lawyer looking to do more TV, click here.
Too green to have an agent? Never!
Some of our best and most successful clients came to us straight out of
school or from their first jobs.
TALENT: Because of many recent placements, we are once again searching for people who have not reached
their ultimate level. Right now, we have very few:
- West coast anchors.
- Meteorologists (especially those with tropical/hurricane experience).
- Male Reporters
- Female anchors or anchor/reporters
We
are
always
looking
for
great
people,
but
we
have
very
few
of
the
types
above.
We look
at
ALL
tapes
and
dvd's,
so
feel
free
to
send!
HIGH-SPEED SURFERS: CLICK HERE
TO GO TO OUR DYNAMIC SITE
- We get jobs for TV Anchors, Reporters,
Meteorologists and Sports types.
- We place 90% of our clients within four
months of starting a search.
- We make a resume, dvd and web page
(with streaming video) for you.
- The only time we don't answer our phone is
when we are sleeping, eating or exercising.
Persons
interested
in
representation
should
send
us
a
link
to
an
on-line
video
clip.
Send
to
inquiries@davidcrane.com.
Or, send the old school way: reel, resume and short cover
letter to our office in North Carolina (DVD, DVCPRO, DVCAM, mini DV or
VHS only--- no BETA, please):
Steve
Swienckowski
DCA
124 Ammons Drive
Raleigh, NC 27615-6501
please read our DCA
FAQ
(frequently
asked
questions).
(Every time someone asks us a question, we
answer it here).
MORE KUDOS FROM MANAGERS REGARDING OUR DVD PACKAGES:
"YOU HAVE THE BEST PACKAGING OF ANY AGENCY I'VE EVER SEEN.
ABSOLUTE GENIUS!"
--Joan Roth, Hearst-Argyle Headquarters, New York City
"Steve:
Have I mentioned to you how much I like the way you guys package your
DVD’s these days? Very sharp.
Cheers,
Forrest Carr
News Director
KGUN-TV, Tucson"
"From:
Kathy.Williams
(former
ND
at
KRIV,
Houston)
Subject: May
I just say ?
To:
steve@davidcrane.com
That of all
the agencies, yours has the best packaging of everyone! Nice
envelopes---well done!"
MANAGERS:
See instant videos and resumes on your desktop of qualified
TV news talent
Don't drag your feet!
If
you're
near
the
end
of
a
contract
or
facing
unemployment,
and
you're
thinking
about
signing
with
an
agency
(even
if
it's
not
us),
do
it
now!
Why?
Because
time's
a
wastin'.
We
often
get
tapes
from
people
who
are
near
the
end
of
their
ropes.
By
the
time
they
sign,
we
have
little
or
no
time
to
improve
their
look
or
on-air
performance.
Lesson
learned:
It's
much
easier
to
find
a
job
while
you're
already
working.
Don't
wait
until
the
last
second.
Those
last
few
months
or
weeks
on
a
job
can
help
us
tremendously
as
we
work
to
improve
your
skills
and
get
you
a
better
situation.
It is our experience that our
clients sign with DCA for one or more of several reasons:
- Most
people don't have time to look for a job (finding a job is nearly a
full-time job in itself).
- Most
people don't know how to
properly assemble a good tape and resume.
- Most
people don't have the contacts
and connections we do ("It's not what you know...")
- Most
people don't feel comfortable representing themselves in a negotiation
situation.
- Most
people don't know the difference
between a good contract and a bad one.
- Most
people don't have a friend who's been through this before and will be
there to
help when they need it.
We
understand
that
some
agents
do
not
produce
a
master
tape
for
you---they
actually
have
their
clients
make
the
master!
For
all
DCA
clients,
a
DVD
master
is
produced
using
all-digital,
non-linear
editing
technology.
That
means
from
the
raw
material
sent
to
the
agency
to
the
VHS
tape
sent
to
a
news
director,
only
one
generation
of
quality
is lost due to
dubbing. A small color photo is also added to each client's paper
resume, and a photo/label is place on each tape, to enhance their
effectiveness. We also stream your video to news managers direct to
their desktops and we produce a web page for you (click here to see an
example).
During
a
panel
discussion
of
job
search
techniques
at
NorCal
RTNDA,
a
news
director
from
San
Francisco
displayed
one
of
our
tapes
as
the
best
example
of
how
a
resume
tape
should
be
packaged.
DCA likes to say it offers the Three C's:
Coaching, Connections, and Contract Savvy.
COACHING
Our
teaching
experience, on-air success and award-winning performance skills
translate
into meaningful and insightful critiques for you.
CONNECTIONS
Although we
do subscribe to all the major trade publications and on-line job
listings, the best job leads inevitably come to us directly from
managers. Many times a news director will
tell us about an opening weeks before it is ever listed elsewhere.
Sometimes a job opening is never listed (or listed after
it is filled), so the only persons who may ever know about it are the
agency and its clients.
CONTRACT
SAVVY
When it
comes time to negotiate, only experience will lead to a deal that's
best for you. Steve has been negotiating contracts on behalf of clients
since the 80's.
PLUS!
We are
available! We hear complaints all the time about how people
can't reach their reps. We like to joke that the only
time you won't get us is when we're eating dinner OR when
we're sleeping. We invite our clients to call us ANY time: after
midnight, on weekends---you name it. We'll be there for you.
The David
Crane Agency was founded in San Francisco in 1980. Prior to that time,
David Crane had been a founding partner of Entertainment Response
Analysts (ERA), a television news consulting firm. One of David's
partners at that time was the legendary Don Fitzpatrick. In 1979, ERA
merged with another company to form a new research and consulting firm
called Audience Research and Development (AR&D). Soon afterward,
David sold his interest in the firm and started the David Crane Agency,
specializing in placement of broadcast news talent. He and his wife,
Barbara, retired in 2005.
Steve
Swienckowski joined DCA in 1999. He started his job-finding and
coaching agency in 1989 after hearing complaints about other "talent
agents" from news directors and talent alike. Steve's TV career
includes stops at CNN, the Cartoon Network, KTVU in San Francisco,
Kansas City, Sacramento and Raleigh.
His broadcast career began in 1977 in radio as an on-air personality.
He last worked on-air in Los Angeles radio before making the
move to television. Steve also served as Chief Instructor for The
Broadcast Workshop, a private post-secondary broadcasting school
in Southern California. He worked as a Weather Anchor, a Feature
Reporter and a Sports Anchor before returning to college at the
University
of Kansas to pursue meteorology. In 1999, Steve won the top prize at
the International Festival De Meteo (Weather Festival) held in Quebec
City. (Click here
for photos and more information about the festival.)
Sun Pak
joined the agency in 1999. Sun is a Certified Public Accountant with a
background in auditing, corporate financial analysis and systems
implementation. She has worked for several major corporations and Duke
University. She collects the money!
We are not like other agencies out there who represent TV
news pros. We are not lawyers based in New York
or Hollywood. We are experienced news people who have
been there.
The DCA
client base is nationwide and in markets of all sizes. The agency has a
total of about 100 clients, and about a third are currently seeking new
positions. Persons interested in representation
should send tape and resume to our office in North Carolina (DVCPRO,
DVCAM, mini DV or VHS only--- no BETA, please) :
Steve
Swienckowski
DCA
124 Ammons Drive
Raleigh, NC 27615-6501
email: click here
NOTES ABOUT
SENDING MATERIALS: if you are sending vhs, make certain your dub was
recorded at SP, the fastest speed. If recorded at
the slower LP or SLP, your tape quality will suffer (especially the
audio). Also, be sure to ship your tape in a padded envelope or box!
You would not believe how many tapes arrive here damaged.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CLIENTS
Reporter
IAN SILVER to KOKI, Tulsa (from WCSC, Charleston).
TIM
SEYMOUR, Morning Anchor, KGAN, Cedar Rapids.
TREY PAUL
to Morning Anchor at WICS, Springfield-Champaign-Decatur
BRYAN
LATHAM to Anchor at Independent Network News (with headquarters in
Davenport).
MARY
WASSON, Morning Meteorologist, WTVQ, Lexington.
GANNON
MEDWICK, Morning Meteorologist, WNCT, New Bern-Washington.
MARK SPAIN,
Primary Anchor, WAWS, Jacksonville.
Investigative
Consumer
Reporter
TOM
SUSSI
to
WSYX-TV,
Columbus.
Meteorologist
MIKE
CUEVAS
to
mornings
at
WVLT,
Knoxville.
BRITTANY
DIEHL to Sports Reporter at WXIN, Indianapolis (from WAPT, Jackson).
Meteorologist
DENNIS
KOS
gets
his
first
on-air
job
at
KSFY
in
Sioux
Falls
doing
weekends
there. Dennis is a recent grad who interned with DCA
client JEFF TANCHAK at WOIO in Cleveland.
Reporter
BRENT SOLOMON to WTVJ, Miami (from KLRT, Little Rock).
Reporter
ADAM RODRIGUEZ to KARK in Little Rock (from KBOI, Boise).
CLICK HERE TO GO BACK TO TOP OF PAGE
Our Philosophy (some of it)
NO SUCH THING AS A
"STEALTHY" SEARCH
I got a call from a client once who was upset.
"That guy who is interested in me is calling all my co-workers!
Why can't he just call the references on my resume?!"
Every manager operates differently. Some call the names on your
resume. Others will NEVER call the names on your resume (because,
they figure, those folks are naturally going to say good things about
you). And still others will call your competition, your
co-workers--- anyone they damned well please.
I even knew one manager who always tried to talk with floor crew to see
how they were treated by anchor candidates.
Once you make the leap to look for a better gig, the genie is out of
the bottle. Be prepared for the possibility that EVERYONE
will know you're looking for a new job.
Our
Negotiation Only Services
Perhaps
you
don't
need
any
coaching
or
job
search
services.
Maybe
you
have
an
offer
on
the
table
and
you
just
don't
feel
comfortable
representing
yourself.
Call
us
about
our
negotiation
services:
919-870-9121.
For
a
one-time
fee,
we
will
attempt
to
secure
the
best
possible
deal
for
you.
The
one-time
fee
is
1%
of
the
first
year's
salary.
CLICK HERE TO GO BACK TO TOP OF PAGE
DCA FAQ (frequently asked questions)
Q:
What's
your
placement
rate?
A: We place 90% of our clients within four months. To do that, we need
to be a bit selective in whom we choose.
Q:
Do
you
specialize
in
Meteorologists?
A: No. Currently, about
one fourth of our clients are mets. We don't specialize in any
particular job category, nor do we specialize in
any particular market size or location. We have clients in large
markets and small markets, from Boston to Bakersfield.
Q:
What
do
you
look
for
when
considering
an
applicant?
A: We ask ourselves two
things:
1) has this applicant reached their ultimate level (or do they have the
best job possible for their skills), and
2) do we have anyone like this person on our current client list?
Q:
What
is
your
commission
scale?
A: It can vary. Our accountant
tells us
the average is between 4 and 5%. The numbers vary depending on such
things as your salary, how long you've been with us, how long you've
been at a particular station, etc. We never collect a commission
forever and ever indefinitely. And, we do
not take a full commission if you send out a tape yourself and end up
getting a job from that mailing! If you re-sign at a station and you've
been paying us a full commission, you pay us just HALF on the renewal
contract. If you sign a third contract, you
can retain us for just 1% or say "good-bye" forever.
Q:
What
if
I
already
have
an
offer
and
just
want
you
to
rep
me
and
negotiate
the
deal?
A: click here for the answer
Q:
Why
do
I
need
someone
to
help
me
find
a
job?
A: click here
Q:
Where
do
I
send
my
tape
and
resume?
A: click here
Q:
Could
you
please
give
me
the
names
and
numbers
of
a
few
clients
so
that
I
may
talk
with
them
about
you
and
your
services?
A: Absolutely. Email us and we'll send you that info: click here.
Q:
Can
you
help
me
with
an
idea
I
have
for
a
TV
show?
A: Yes. Although we do not handle show "pitches" to network execs, we
have a good Hollywood connection for you. Click here to send
us an email and get his info.
Q:
Do
you
help
find
work
for
models,
actors
or
child
models
or
actors?
A: No.
Q:
What
are
your
contacts
like
in
the
Midwest
(or
South,
or
West,
or
where
ever)?
A: We do not specialize
in any particular region. We have clients (and contacts) all over the
country, from Los Angeles to Boston to Miami and all points in between.
Q: What if I send you a
tape and you do not want to represent me?
A: We send you an email
saying so.
Q:
What
do
you
want
me
to
put
on
my
tape
to
send
to
you?
A: Whatever you feel is
a good representation of who you are and what you do.
Or, if you've been sending out tapes to others, let us see that.
Q:
What
if
you
get
me
a
job
offer
and
I
do
not
accept?
A:
We
keep
trying.
Q:
If
you
get
my
tape,
am
I
automatically
in
contract
with
you
for
your
services?
A:
Huh?
How
does
sending
us
a
tape
imply
a
contract
between
us?
IF
we
sign
an
agreement
to
rep
you,
THEN
you
are
"in
contract".
Q:
When
you
receive
my
tape,
do
you
call
me
with
a
critique?
For
charge?
For
free?
A:
We
shy
away
from
critiques
of
people
we
do
not
want
to
rep.
We
have
found
many
people
do
not
take
well
negative
criticism.
Q:
What
is
a
typical
market
increase
for
your
clients.
For
example:
I
am
in
market
199,
can
you
get
me
a
job
in
market
50,
if
I
have
the
skills?
A:
We
don't
think
in
terms
of
market
size:
we
think
in
terms
of
money
(or
any
other
parameters
you
have
outlined
for
us).
An
increase
in
market
size
does
not
necessarily
mean
a
like
increase
in
salary.
We
have
placed
people
in
small
markets
for
six
figures,
and
we
have
also
placed
people
in
top
ten
markets
for $40k (and vice-versa, of course). Typical
increase in salary is thirty to forty percent. Rarely does anyone
double their salary, but it can happen, especially if you're making
$40k or less.
Q: Is my work sent out with your other clients on one big reel?
A: No. Never. You are the only person on your dvd.
CLICK HERE TO GO BACK TO TOP OF PAGE
We are not the best fit for doctors or lawyers who do some TV now and
want to do more. Please do not contact us. Our business is
more "meat and potatoes": Anchors, Reporters, Sports Talent and
Meteorologists.
CLICK
HERE TO GO BACK TO TOP OF PAGE
DCA
Raleigh, North Carolina
TV news
talent agents job placement
employment agency tape duplication
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