Talent holding deal

Talent holding deal (sometimes spelled Talent-holding deal) is a contract between an entertainer or artist and a representing agency, valid while the agency is developing a movie, television program, live performance act, album or other entertainment venue for an artist. In this context, the "agency" may actually be a television network, music or movie production company, or an individual agent. It is a type of retainer agreement in that the artist is compensated for work yet to be determined. The deals usually requires exclusivity for a fixed period of time, in which the entertainer agrees to not sign or work with any other agencies during the period of the contract.

There are a variety of reasons for an entertainer and an agency to enter this type of contract. Some examples include:

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