SPOTLIGHT: CRYSTAL WRIGHT
Last Updated (Tuesday, 26 January 2010 16:17)
Crystal Wright is the Founder and President of the Crystal Agency, which has been a leading Hair, Makeup and Fashion Styling Agency for over 20 years. The Crystal Agency has represented some of the most sought after Hair Stylists, Makeup Artists and Fashion Stylists in the business. Crystal's success as an agent led her to creating a MUST HAVE TOOL for freelance artists- her book, "The Hair, Makeup & Fashion Styling Career Guide." Wright's Portfolio Building and Marketing Workshops also now give beauty professionals the opportunity to gain necessary knowledge that hasn't always been available in this industry. We recently caught up with Crystal and she answered YOUR questions including what she recommends you do before you approach an agency and what qualities she looks for in her team members. *Keep reading for special YBI Discounts*
YBI: What is your typical day like?
CW: I answer a lot of phone calls. Since I’m winding the agency down––for the 2nd time in 22 years and not signing any new talent, I spend a lot of time talking to artists about the next steps to take.
I direct them to get my book because I know it will help, they will be able to refer back to it, and then if they have questions they can always email me. I only have a finite amount of time. I can’t possibly give an artist in 10 minutes everything they need to be successful, but the book they’ll have for a lifetime.
YBI: What qualities do you look for in your team members?CW: I first look for talent. The magic that you see in the work of a person who is passionate about what they do. It’s always obvious in the attention to detail and the way they talk about their art. The kind of passion that makes an artist do research, and want to try out every new product, and put their spin on every photograph, and spend their last time to make a shot perfect––That kind of talent. The kind of talent where the most important thing is the art, not the money, because the money will come if the marketing and the attitude is right.
As an agent, you look for that X factor. Neeko has it as a hair stylist. Monifa has it as a makeup artist. My stylist Melinda Tarbell has it as a fashion stylist. That artist knows how to communicate by listening, speaking, and interpreting what the client wants and then also bringing their own unique perspective to bear on a project.
As far as staff, I look for someone who has excellent verbal, and written communication skills, and a willingness to learn. The person must take initiative, think outside the box and be able to use a macintosh computer. I like someone with an outgoing personality who is adept at connecting with people because you never know when I need to send someone to an event.
YBI: What are 2 tips that you recommend to an artist BEFORE they approach an agency for representation?
CW: Get their book online and I don’t mean model mayhem. Model mayhem is great, but most agents don’t want to have to login and look for your number to be able to see your work.
Be sure to show range in your work, and if it’s makeup and hair or makeup or hair, I want to see beauty. Big beautiful beauty shots that show off your work. And range is not extremes. I want to know that you can do a clean face think Self magazine, a smokey eye think Allure magazine when they’re highlighting a new shadow, beautiful lips—again think Allure, and so on. And I want to see white girls, black girls, asian girls, etc. And a variety of photographers.
When it’s hair I want to see long hair, short hair, up-do’s, etc. That’s range!
Range is the thing that gives the creative [decision-maker] an idea of what you are capable of in the course of a day.
YBI: In your experience how has the economy and recession effected the freelance hair and makeup industry?
CW: Well obviously there are going to be some adjustments, but people ARE still working. Mostly you work if you believe you will work. If you believe that business is slow and your rates are going to change drastically, I promise you that, that is exactly what you will get.
In order to be successful you have to keep pushing and keep the pipeline full so that you can get work. Get out there and meet people. Invest in a class [like mine] or some other one to shore up your marketing skills. Tweek your brand. Tweek your materials. Test. Put something fresh in your book and stop complaining about how bad everything is.
YBI: What is your most frequently asked question from artists when you are speaking at trade shows and doing workshops?
CW: Oh wow. Let see. How about a few of them.
1.) Am I too old to do this now? I’m 35, or 45.
Well, 35 is the new 25 get over it and keep it moving.
2.) Is it going to be hard to get an agent?
Does it matter? If so, this is the wrong business to be in. There’s nothing easy about being a SUCCESSFUL makeup artist or hair stylist. That’s why everyone doesn’t do it. But it is fun? Yes. And rewarding? You Bet! And will you make a lot of money? Absolutely if you treat it like something that you love, and you get up and do it every day––you will.
3.) What union do I need to get into to do magazines?
There are no unions for print. You can just do it. Magazines, CD covers, Print Advertisments, Book covers, etc. do not require you to be in a union. In fact most music videos and TV commercials are done with non-union crews as well.
YBI: Your book “The Hair, Makeup & Fashion Styling Career Guide” is one of the very few sources available to Freelance Beauty Professionals and is extremely valuable. What kind of information and sources can artists find in your book?
CW: Oh my goodness, I’ve tried to put everything but the kitchen sink in that book. They’ll find agencies throughout the US, and I have a download of agencies in Canada and internationally.
They’ll find magazines along with the editorial rates that they pay, their phone numbers, and their addresses.
They’ll find union rules, typical day rates for specific kinds of jobs, and even actual conversations to help them when they are negotiating with creative people like art directors, editors, and producers.
And there’s information on agencies and what they expect, and how to work with photographers, and get your pictures from them. I represented photographers for 20 years, I know them better than I know myself :).
Additional Information:
- For more information on Crystal Wright visit: http://www.crystalwrightlive.com/
- Purchase a copy of her book "Crystal Wright's Hair, Makeup & Fashion Styling Career Guide" HERE.
- Sign up for one of Crystal's Workshops HERE.
Click here for special YBI Member Discounts on Crystal's Workshops and her book!
CHECK OUT CRYSTAL WRIGHT'S YOU TUBE PAGE TO SEE HER IN ACTION: http://www.youtube.com/crystalwrightlive
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