Welcome!

Hello friends! Hope everyone is staying warm this winter! I have decided to enter the online world and make an easily accessible site for everyone to keep up to date with what I am doing. Its a busy year coming up. I will be speaking and teaching at many events in the upcoming months. I would love to have you sign up or recommend my seminars to friends! Stay well and check back for updates!

About Me

Erica Moran is the Agency Director for Avalon Artists Group & BMG Models, sister companies in New York City, with a focus on Commercials, Film, Television and Print Modeling. With 7 years of experience under her belt, she has worked with top agencies from Bella Agency in the role of Director of Commercial Print, to Ford Models as a Children & Teen agent.

Not only has Erica made a major contribution to the entertainment industry as an agent; her passion for teaching and love of original talent has pulled her to attend and lead many showcases and classes, from One on One Studios to Actor’s Connection, as well as scouting events from IMTA to ProScout.

She takes pride in her selectivity which has allowed her to engage with talent she strongly believes in and works hard to develop. That being said, she is always looking for new talent. Her can-do attitude and strong motivation keep her at the top of NYC’s agent pool and thus ensure longevity in such an ever-changing industry.

In a cut-throat and rigorous industry, Erica stands out for the individual attention she gives to each of her actors and models. Her dedication to personal relationships marks her as a rare treasure of an agent who can support her talent’s dreams as passionately as she does their careers. Her talent’s success feeds her spirit; seeing their dreams become reality is the light of her days.

Erica's talent can be seen in the following

TV: 30 Rock, Good Morning America, Gossip Girl, Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Rescue Me, How to Make it in America, White Collar

Commercials: Bank of America, Bud Light, Burlington Coat Factory, Chuck E Cheese, Cream of Wheat, Hasbro, JC Penney, New York Times, Nintendo, McDonald's, Slomin's Shield

Print: AMEX, Axe, Cosmopolitan, Johnson & Johnson, L’Oreal, Modern Salon, Nikon, Oprah Magazine, Palmolive, Redbook, Reebok, Tabasco, Trojan

Voice-Over: Cablevision, DKNY, Gillette, Motts Applesauce, Volkswagen, Qdoba

Film: Wanted

Erica’s talent Eve Danzeisen is currently the face of Cablevision’s advertising campaign.

Upcoming Appearances

Thursday, April 8th: The Actors Project - TAP NYC

Friday, April 9th: Actors Connection, 7 pm

Thursday, April 15th: Jen Rudolph's The Green Room

Saturday, April 17th: The Network NYC

Read about me in the latest issue of Backstage Magazine!

NY Acting Markets: Print/Modeling

By Simi Horwitz

February 11, 2010

Erica Moran, agency director of Avalon Artists Group/BMG Models, says the opportunities for New York actors in print work are huge. She's talking about ads for products ranging from pharmaceuticals to makeup to furniture, as well as the smaller market for actor-models in the pages of lifestyle features. Moran says advertisers often request actors—as opposed to gorgeous models—because the photos frequently depict relationships or attitudes toward a product, and actors are better able to convey such things.

Unlike runway models—who must be a specific height and weight—print models represent a spectrum of ages, shapes, and sizes. The emphasis is on real-looking people. "Of course, it depends on the product," says Moran, "but there is a demand for quirky-looking actors who may have gaps between their teeth, or freckles, or be a little heavy."

Rick Miller, who heads the Rick Miller Agency, agrees, explaining that there's a definite market for actor-models who are "real, friendly, and approachable. I like delicious-looking people, but not so beautiful as to be off-putting."

The downturn in the economy has diminished the volume of print modeling jobs, but actors can still supplement their income by working in the field. Jessica Seeley, who has been doing print work for six years and has appeared in ads in Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, and other magazines, does one print job a week while auditioning for acting roles, and she finds that acting and print work inform each other. "When you're modeling," she says, "you are becoming someone else's idea. That gives me an opportunity to play a character." Modeling has also enriched her acting by broadening her life experience, which is essential for an actor, she explains. Equally important, it has taught her about effective lighting, how to be comfortable in front of a camera, and what her best angles are.

The competition in print modeling is very stiff. Unless a particular model is requested—and that generally won't happen early in your career—models are sent by their agents on a "go-see," where dozens of similar types are interviewed and photos are taken that simulate the job or campaign. If the model's style and appearance coincide with what the client is seeking, the model may be booked or called back. The pay can range from a few hundred dollars to $1,500 or more per day, depending on the product, the model, and the agency. Some projects pay by the hour; others pay a flat fee. Agents typically take 20 percent of the model's fee and earn an additional 20 percent from the client.

Moran likes models who have acting backgrounds, but she's even more drawn to those with special skills "that can jump-start a conversation," she says. "After that, I want to know the directors they've worked with and who has cast them."

Miller points out that it's a fast-paced world, the calls come in quickly, and the "talent always has to be in touch with a cell phone, be available the next day, return calls quickly, have great communication skills, and be honest about such problems as scheduling. Be reliable, positive, a joy to work with. Low-maintenance talent."

Raves & Reviews

Here is what my fellow colleagues have been saying about me!

"Erica Moran possesses a level of dedication to both her talent and client pool that is a true rarity in this industry. Her passion for the people that she works with shows through in every detail of her job, from her professionalism and promptness to her ability to develop new talent and continuously book established talent. Her eye for matching talent to clients’ needs is unsurpassed by anyone in this industry as is her ability to keep her talent working regularly and her clients’ needs met constantly."

-John Woodruff; Actor/Model

“I love working with Erica, she’s always a pleasure to talk to and I know I can rely on her to send me great talent.”

-Emily Derr, Paladino Casting

"I have worked with Erica Moran for years- she is a great resource for talent. I work with her as both a manager and casting director. Erica is responsible, dedicated and a pleasure to interact with. I believe she has a good eye for talent and I can always count on her to bring talented performers to jobs that I'm casting or potential clients I will work with."

-Emily Gipson; Associate Manager, JHA Management

"Donald Case Casting always enjoys working with Erica Moran. She is professional, has a great eye for talent, and is always eager to help on any project. Erica's hard work pays off- she has a great booking track record with our office."

-Donald Case, Donald Case Casting

"Erica never ceases to astonish me with the drive, passion, and warmth that she devotes to me and my career. I've seen Erica work on both my behalf and the behalf of other talent and can say without question that she is deeply dedicated to our personal success and happiness. What an amazing woman! I am so grateful for her."

-Sarah-Doe Osborne; Actress

"Erica is truly an inspiring person. She has taught me that having a shrewd business sense and an honest, direct style of communication is completely compatible with having a heart of gold and being a loving friend. Every time I talk to her, or find out about one more amazing thing she is involved in, it inspires me to grow as well. Erica is what I like to call a "solid human being"....she is true, real, and an asset to anyone around her. I have so much gratitude for Erica in my life. "

-Heidi Jackson; Actress/Model

Contact

www.avalonartists.com

www.bmgmodels.com

you can also become a fan of BMG Models on facebook!

Erica Moran

New York Agency Director

Avalon Artists Group & BMG Models

143 West 29th St., suite 1103

New York, NY 10001

212-868-3200

212-279-6800

erica@avalonartists.com / erica@bmgmodels.com

if you are submitting photos, please email bmgny@bmgmodels.com