Houghton Talent

Houghton Talent is one of the most established and respected talent agencies in Atlanta, founded in 1990 by Gail Houghton and operating as a SAG-AFTRA franchised agency that has been at the forefront of the Southeast production market for over three decades. Located at 919 Collier Road NW in Atlanta, the agency has grown alongside the extraordinary expansion of Georgia's entertainment industry from a modest regional market into what is now one of the top three production hubs in the entire United States, generating over $9.5 billion in economic revenue for the state annually. Houghton Talent represents actors, models, and voiceover artists for the full spectrum of professional production work including feature films, television series, commercials, industrials, print campaigns, voiceover recordings, and live events. The agency's three decades of operation in the Atlanta market have given it unmatched depth of relationships with casting directors, production companies, and studios working throughout Georgia and the broader Southeast. Houghton's SAG-AFTRA franchise status provides the professional credentials and regulatory oversight that production clients expect from a premier representation firm, ensuring that talent interests are protected in all business dealings.

Atlanta's transformation into one of America's premier production markets has been driven by Georgia's exceptionally generous entertainment tax incentive program, which offers a 20 percent transferable tax credit on qualified expenditures with an additional 10 percent promotional uplift, no annual cap, and no sunset clause — making it one of the most attractive production incentive packages in the world. This has attracted virtually every major studio and streaming platform to establish significant production operations in Georgia, creating a sustained boom in demand for local talent that shows no signs of slowing. Houghton Talent has been uniquely positioned to benefit from this growth, having spent decades building the agency infrastructure, casting relationships, and talent roster necessary to serve a market that now rivals Los Angeles and New York in production volume. The agency's clients are regularly seen on major productions from Marvel films to Netflix series to national commercial campaigns, with Atlanta's robust studio infrastructure — including Trilith Studios, Tyler Perry Studios, and numerous other facilities — hosting productions year-round. Houghton's reputation as a reliable, professional source of quality talent has made it a first-call agency for casting directors working on both locally originated and visiting productions.

Actors seeking representation with Houghton Talent can submit through the agency's website at houghtontalent.com with professional headshots, a detailed resume, and a demo reel that showcases their on-camera abilities. The agency is selective in its roster additions, looking for actors who are genuinely trained, professionally prepared, and ready for the fast pace and high standards of the Atlanta production market, where major studio and network productions operate on demanding timelines with exacting expectations. Industry referrals from casting directors, acting coaches, and other professionals familiar with the Atlanta market carry significant weight in the submission process and can help ensure that materials receive thorough review. The agency evaluates prospective talent based on training depth, on-camera ability, professionalism, and how well they complement the current roster's coverage of the types and categories most frequently requested by production clients. Given Atlanta's position as one of the top production markets in the country, competition for roster spots at premier agencies like Houghton is intense, and submitters should ensure their materials represent their highest professional standard.

Working with Houghton Talent provides actors access to the extraordinary volume and variety of production opportunities available in the Georgia market, from major studio feature films and network and streaming television series to national commercial campaigns, corporate and industrial productions, voiceover work, print campaigns, and live event engagements. The agency's three decades of casting director relationships ensure that represented talent are considered for a significant share of the professional opportunities casting in the Southeast, with relationships extending to Los Angeles and New York casting offices that regularly cast Georgia-based productions from out of state. Houghton's experienced agents manage all business aspects of the representation relationship, including submissions, scheduling, contract negotiation, and booking logistics, operating with the efficiency and professionalism that Atlanta's fast-paced production market demands. The commercial division is particularly active and productive, providing represented talent with consistent audition opportunities alongside the theatrical film and television submissions that drive career growth. Self-tape proficiency is essential for Atlanta-represented talent, as productions casting from multiple markets increasingly rely on digital auditions before scheduling in-person callbacks.

Houghton Talent's roster represents a carefully curated selection of actors, models, and voiceover artists who meet the high standards of professionalism, training, and on-camera ability that the agency's production clients expect. The roster includes established working actors with substantial film and television credits alongside strong emerging talent who are building their resumes through the abundant opportunities the Atlanta market provides. Both SAG-AFTRA members and non-union performers are represented, though the prevalence of major studio and network productions in the Georgia market means that union membership is increasingly important for accessing the highest-caliber opportunities. The agency represents talent across all ages, ethnicities, and types, reflecting the diverse casting needs of the productions that shoot in Georgia. The actors who succeed through Houghton tend to be those who are prepared, responsive, professional in all interactions, and capable of performing at the level that major studio productions require.

Houghton Talent operates on the standard commission-only model, with no upfront fees, registration costs, required classes, or ongoing charges to represented talent. Commission rates follow SAG-AFTRA franchise guidelines and standard industry practices, typically ranging from 10 to 20 percent depending on the type of work and applicable union agreements. The SAG-AFTRA franchise status provides an additional layer of professional oversight ensuring that all business practices comply with union standards designed to protect talent interests. The commission-only structure means the agency earns only when its clients earn, creating properly aligned financial incentives. For actors in the Atlanta market, where major production bookings can command significant compensation comparable to Los Angeles rates, the standard commission structure represents excellent value for the access to one of America's most active production markets.

Houghton Talent is a top-tier representation choice for experienced Atlanta-based actors who are trained, professional, and ready to compete for the major film, television, and commercial opportunities that Georgia's booming production market generates. The agency is particularly well-suited for actors with substantial training and some professional credits who want representation from a firm with deep, proven relationships across the Southeast casting community and beyond. If you are new to the Atlanta market or still building your training foundation, consider developing your skills and credits through other avenues before pursuing Houghton representation, as the agency's selectivity means they are looking for talent who are ready to deliver at a professional level immediately. For actors already represented by another Atlanta agency who are considering a move, Houghton's track record and reputation make it a logical aspiration for career advancement. The continued growth of Georgia's production market means that the opportunities available to well-represented Atlanta talent are expanding annually.

Invest in the best on-camera training available in the Atlanta market to ensure your audition technique meets the standards that major studio and network productions expect — Atlanta has excellent coaching resources including studios and coaches who work regularly with talent on current productions. Build a professional self-tape setup that produces broadcast-quality auditions, as the volume and pace of casting in Atlanta demands the ability to produce excellent tapes on very short turnaround times. Keep your headshots current and ensure they accurately represent your current look, as Atlanta's fast-paced casting environment means casting directors need to trust that the person who shows up matches the photos they reviewed. Develop relationships with Atlanta-area casting directors through workshops, classes, and professional interactions, as these relationships complement your agency representation and can lead to direct opportunities. Stay informed about which productions are currently shooting or pre-production in Georgia, as this knowledge helps you prepare for the types of roles that will be casting and positions you to respond effectively when audition opportunities arise.