FALL FROM GRACE
I have had a business relationship with Actor’s Etc., Inc. and Denise Coburn since January of 1985. She was my talent agent. During that time I spent time working in the office to help out and get a better sense of how talent agency’s worked as well as how talent was chosen for the thousands of jobs that came through. Since 1985 there have been many who came through those doors as assistants and sub agents like Diane Craig, Pat Langewis, Kari Skain, Dolores Jackson and so many more I honestly can’t remember them all.
AEI represented approximately 600 actors from around the country. Denise’ strength was representing voiceover talent which she enjoyed. She worked tirelessly on getting her voice talent work and was very good at it.
I’ve sat in the office while she fought for her talent to get them hired, to get them paid in a reasonable amount of time and to guide her talent as best as she knew how to make them better. Coburn would always suggest voice over and acting classes in an attempt to make those she represented more competitive. She would attempt to get her talent to update headshots when necessary.
From working with and watching her, being a talent agent in a market like Houston is extremely tough and for the most part not very rewarding.
I would say things started to change about 5 to 7 years ago. Denise’s personal life began to affect her business. Personal relationship became business ones and vice-versa. There were things that went on in the office as well as at home that began to take its toll. The fact that she never took a vacation may have also played a part.
Her life, and the life of the agency, at one time a formidable force in the industry basically spiraled out of control.
That for the most part is now history, as AEI has been shuttered for some time with almost no chance of coming back unless under new ownership. I doubt seriously if AFTRA/SAG would let Coburn start back up again after recent events.
So where does her former talent go from here. With the way the market is set up they can seek representation anywhere in Texas or Louisiana and not break AFTRA/SAG rules, and some of them did during my last stint from January to June of 2007.
Houston needs a another franchised talent agency who can fill in the gap left by the demise of Actor’s Etc., Inc and hopefully someone will step in.
Edwin Johnson
Bayou City Film News
AEI represented approximately 600 actors from around the country. Denise’ strength was representing voiceover talent which she enjoyed. She worked tirelessly on getting her voice talent work and was very good at it.
I’ve sat in the office while she fought for her talent to get them hired, to get them paid in a reasonable amount of time and to guide her talent as best as she knew how to make them better. Coburn would always suggest voice over and acting classes in an attempt to make those she represented more competitive. She would attempt to get her talent to update headshots when necessary.
From working with and watching her, being a talent agent in a market like Houston is extremely tough and for the most part not very rewarding.
I would say things started to change about 5 to 7 years ago. Denise’s personal life began to affect her business. Personal relationship became business ones and vice-versa. There were things that went on in the office as well as at home that began to take its toll. The fact that she never took a vacation may have also played a part.
Her life, and the life of the agency, at one time a formidable force in the industry basically spiraled out of control.
That for the most part is now history, as AEI has been shuttered for some time with almost no chance of coming back unless under new ownership. I doubt seriously if AFTRA/SAG would let Coburn start back up again after recent events.
So where does her former talent go from here. With the way the market is set up they can seek representation anywhere in Texas or Louisiana and not break AFTRA/SAG rules, and some of them did during my last stint from January to June of 2007.
Houston needs a another franchised talent agency who can fill in the gap left by the demise of Actor’s Etc., Inc and hopefully someone will step in.
Edwin Johnson
Bayou City Film News
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