BMG Talent

BMG Talent is a full-service talent agency based in Chicago that represents actors, models, and voice talent across the complete range of professional categories including commercial, theatrical, print, voiceover, and industrial work. The agency has established itself as a practical, results-oriented firm that covers multiple revenue streams for its clients, reflecting the reality that successful careers in the Chicago market typically require versatility across several categories. BMG Talent maintains a broad client base and works with talent at various experience levels, from promising newcomers with strong training to seasoned professionals with extensive credits. The agency is an active participant in the Chicago production community, maintaining relationships with casting directors, producers, and other industry professionals who regularly cast in the Midwest market. Their no-nonsense approach to talent management emphasizes booking work and building careers through consistent professional activity rather than flashy promises.

BMG Talent's full-service model reflects the practical needs of actors working in the Chicago market, where diversification across multiple categories is often the key to financial sustainability. The agency's commercial division handles the high-volume audition flow that drives the economic engine of most Midwest acting careers, while the theatrical department works to secure film and television auditions for clients with the credits and abilities to compete for on-camera roles. The print and modeling division provides additional booking opportunities for actors with the right look and physique, and the voiceover department serves clients with developed voice skills and professional recording capabilities. This comprehensive approach means that actors signed with BMG Talent have access to the full range of opportunities the Chicago market offers through a single agency relationship. The agency's agents work across departments to identify opportunities for each client, maximizing the total volume of potential bookings.

Actors can submit their headshots and resumes through the BMG website, and the agency reviews submissions on a rolling basis. BMG looks for talent who are professional, reliable, and have a strong foundation in acting training, whether through formal conservatory education, university programs, or Chicago's renowned improv and scene study institutions. Open calls may be held periodically, and referrals from casting directors, teachers, managers, and other industry professionals are also welcomed and given serious consideration. The agency values versatility, so actors who can demonstrate ability across multiple categories — commercial, theatrical, print, and voice — have a stronger chance of being signed. Professional-quality headshots in both commercial and theatrical styles, a well-formatted resume, and demo materials are expected from serious applicants.

The daily workflow of being represented by BMG Talent involves receiving audition submissions across the agency's various departments, preparing self-tapes and attending in-person auditions, and maintaining ongoing communication with your agents about availability and career developments. The commercial department provides the highest volume of audition activity, with regular submissions for local, regional, and national campaigns. The theatrical department submits clients for film and television roles shooting in the Chicago area and occasionally for projects casting nationally. BMG agents provide audition details and guidance, and they expect clients to be responsive, prepared, and professional at every stage of the process. The agency's multi-department structure means that a single client may have auditions in different categories on the same day, requiring the flexibility and preparation to shift between commercial and theatrical modes quickly.

BMG Talent represents actors across the demographic spectrum of the Chicago market, with clients at various career stages and from diverse training backgrounds. The agency works with both SAG-AFTRA members and non-union talent, serving the full range of professional opportunities available in the Midwest. Actors who are versatile and willing to work across multiple categories tend to be the most active and highest-earning clients on the roster. The agency attracts practical, professionally minded actors who understand that a successful career in a regional market requires being open to all types of paid performance work. BMG Talent's client base includes actors who primarily identify as commercial performers, those building theatrical careers while supporting themselves through commercial work, and voice artists who specialize in the growing voiceover market.

BMG Talent operates on the standard commission model, earning commission from booked work only with no upfront fees, registration costs, or monthly charges to actors. Commission rates follow industry standards, typically 10 percent for theatrical work and up to 20 percent for commercial and other categories, consistent with SAG-AFTRA guidelines. All terms are clearly outlined in the representation agreement. The full-service model means that actors have the potential to earn income across multiple categories through a single agency relationship, which can add up significantly over the course of a year. Commercial bookings, particularly national campaigns, represent the highest earning potential, while voiceover, print, and industrial work provide supplementary income streams that contribute to overall career sustainability.

BMG Talent is a solid choice for versatile Chicago actors who want comprehensive representation across multiple categories and appreciate a practical, results-oriented agency approach. The agency is particularly well-suited for actors who are comfortable working in commercial, voiceover, print, and theatrical settings and who understand that career sustainability in a regional market requires this kind of flexibility. If you are highly focused on a single category such as purely theatrical film and television work, you may prefer an agency with a deeper specialization in that area. Actors new to the Chicago market should ensure they have professional materials and some training before approaching BMG Talent. The agency is a strong option for actors who want a one-stop representation solution that covers all the bases.

Prepare submission materials that showcase your versatility across multiple categories — include both commercial and theatrical headshots, and add a voiceover demo and print portfolio if you have them. The more categories you can credibly work in, the more valuable you are to a full-service agency like BMG Talent. Once signed, invest in building skills across all available departments rather than focusing exclusively on your preferred category, as diversification directly increases your booking frequency and income. Maintain a professional home self-tape and voiceover recording setup, as the modern casting workflow requires quick turnaround on both video and audio submissions. Keep your agent informed about any new skills, looks, or capabilities you develop, as these updates allow them to submit you for opportunities you might not otherwise be considered for.