Exploring Life & Business with Raynard Pearson of WORK! Talent LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Raynard Pearson.

Hi Raynard, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My entertainment journey began at 10 years old in Phoenix, Arizona. I joined the elementary school choir and I excelled at singing. I went from school choir to The Phoenix Boys Choir with in a year. Phoenix Boys Choir was an tremendous experience for a young black child as most of the songs and music we performed was in Italian, English and French. It was mind blowing at this young age.

When I turned 14 I discovered DANCE.. And my goal and training of being a professional dancer had started.. I moved to Los Angeles in my 20’s to continue my training and auditioning for various projects. Once I felt that my knees needed to take a break from dance. I ended up working for a talent agency in the young talent division. I knew this area of entertainment is where I wanted to be after just one week.
I found my career, my home. I learned so much working as an assistant in the Commercial, Print, TV-Film and Voice Over department. Within 4 years I landed at C.E.D Talent Agency. With in a few years the name was changed to C.E.S.D. (Cunningham, Escott, Slevin & Doherty) Talent Agency. Which was one of the top talent agencies for young talent. The next 10 years with this agency gave me the tools I needed to be successful when I started my agency in 2013. I am so happy that I took a chance on myself and started this venture..

Alright, 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?
UGH! Well.. I won’t go into the deep details on the bumpy road or the struggles. But I can say survival methods of living in Los Angeles includes learning how to work with other colleagues who have strong personalities, the “politics” of working in an agency. Working with child and teen celebrities and working with adults who act like bad children. But the real struggle came the first year of starting my agency. It was like starting all over again. Having to rebuild relationships and trust with casting directors, their associates, managers and actors. Now I am happy to know that my clients are being seen for many projects and casting directors are trusting me with my choices on the roles they are casting on..
Everyday is a learning experience and this business does not get old.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am the owner of a boutique talent agency with a small roster of under 150 clients. I represent clients aged 4 years to 94 years…. There is opportunities for everyone. It’s a matter of right place, right time.

My agency is WORK! Talent, I’m a full service agency and I focus on TV/Film, Commercials and Print.
I currently have clients working on all of the major networks like CBS, NBC, ABC, and FOX. This includes streaming platforms Netflix, Hulu, HBO and others. My clients have recently appeared in feature films such as Happy Gilmore 2, The Accountant 2, A Star is Born. Along with actors who have been in the business for years, I want to make sure to include new actors to the scene.. I mean, we all deserve to get our break into the business somehow. If I see fresh new talent that has a spark or a vibe? With business cards in hand (cuz I’m old school). I jump at the chance to start a conversation about possible representation.
“I won’t know until I ask”

My agency is known for representing all actors including diverse representation. In the years of working at top agencies. I noticed there wasn’t a clear distinction on who the actors were or what they represented. These agencies repped lots of actors.. too many in fact. I like to keep my roster on the smaller side. Making sure that I fully rep ALL actor types and I wanted to be intentional to include representation for Asian actors, fully bilingual actors in ANY language, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, differently abled and anyone who felt “othered” as an actor. Because there is WORK out there for you. I may not win every opportunity but I’m here to submit, represent and fight to obtain these jobs.
It’s fantastic to be a creative soul. Unfortunately sometimes actors may be told from outside sources that they should change their looks or “dim” their light to be more viable in this business. In my opinion having your own style makes you stand out in a good way as an actor for yourself and to agents, managers, casting directors to see. If you are right for the role… then you are right for the role no matter what.

It took me a long time to feel comfortable in my own skin as I was told many times to change who I was. I’ve been told to “butch it up” or someone told me that when I spoke, my “S’s” were too strong. Funny thing is they didn’t realize that the Queen they were trying to destroy loves to use the word SISSY with my strong “S”..
So phooey on them.
I realized I was allowing insecure people change me.
NOPE not any more with fretting over what people think of me or feeling like I have to tone it down. As I’ve grown and grown up, I now show up as my authentic self, if that means that I’m a little “extra”? Then baybee EXTRA you will get. If I show up to a business meeting with a potential client or existing client with color on my OPI gel nails and a good pair of high heeled boots (if my arches permit). Then make no mistake, this hard working professional man and talent agent is ready to WORK!
So don’t try me..

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Starting out in this business is hard and confusing. You can get great advise or you can have the worst experience that may have you running back home to small town USA or World

Doing research on agencies, managers is one way of getting good information. If you are in acting classes you can ask your fellow classmates. But remember, they may or may not have the best answers for you. So beware….

Let me tell you a little story about this dancer named Ray-Ray…
Ray-Ray was brand new to Los Angeles and was eager to audition for any project because he loved to dance but in reality Ray-Ray gotta pay those bills that were mounting. His friends were getting auditions all the time and Ray-Ray felt left out but desperately wanted to win a job.

One day a frenemy who shall be nameless came up and said “Girl, I heard about this audition that was happening in a few hours. You’d be PERFECT for it! Get down there and sign up!!”
I was…. I mean, Ray-Ray was super happy and said “First of all, I’m a guy not a girl and where is this audition?”

Ray-Ray drove down in his old jalopy of a car, filled out the sign in sheet and waiting while stretching.. All of a sudden EVERYBODY hears someone screaming. It’s the choreographer… she screams”Who is this? Who is RAY-RAY?” I said…. I mean, Ray-Ray says ME! That day will be the day Ray-Ray will never forget as his face was screamed off. He didn’t know that this audition was by invitation only…

My point is to try to get good advice from experts in the business. When we give advice, take it. We are rooting for you…

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.iworktalent.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worktalent/
• Other: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm2302276/?ref_=nmovr_ov_shr

Image Credits
Paul Gregory