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People On The Move - Tamara Markowitz
06/29/2009 - By by Chad A. Safran
TURNING KIDS INTO STARS
All parents believe that their child is the cutest, most adorable, and most beautiful in the world, with a face and talent that has them destined for stardom. It’s not easy, however, to compete with all those other children whose parents feel the same way, and there’s always the chance that a particular child may not be cut out for life in front of a camera. That’s where Tamara Markowitz comes in.
Tamara operates TM Management, LLC out of her home office in Marlboro. She has been working as a talent manager for children, from newborn to 18 years old, since 1993, and has a particular specialty in finding appearances for twins. Currently, she has more than 100 clients, and books them for everything from commercials to Broadway shows to movies. Some of her talent has appeared on soap operas, such as “All My Children” and “Guiding Light,” as well as an Electrolux campaign with Kelly Ripa; she even placed a client for a voice over on “Wonder Pets!” Most of Tamara’s clients live within a 2-hour radius of New York City, which is where 98% of the auditions take place. She also uses her knack for spotting kids as a judge for cutekids.com; she’s been involved with them for a year and half as a judge for the website’s monthly contest, and has even found it to be a source for some new clients.
Tamara did not always focus on being behind the scenes. As a child growing up on Manhattan’s Upper West Side she would often sit and watch movie productions taking place. She also actually appeared on “Sesame Street” at the age of 4, and later on in life she appeared as a dancer in Carlito’s Way. “I had access to [be able to] watch a lot of things going on,” says Tamara, who also once dreamed of hosting her own talk show.
Despite majoring in anthropology while in college in Israel, Tamara worked in a jewelry store in New York City before raising her own family and ultimately turning talent management into a career. Her desire to get into the talent field rose even more when she was pregnant with her first child, Helen (she also has another daughter, Jaclyn). She did some research, received some advice on how to work with agents, and began recruiting kids. She brought snapshots to some agents and was given a few opportunities. After building relationships with several more agents and finding more work for her clients, she had a thriving business. Now she gets her clients only through referrals and is discriminating in her choices.
It is important to remember that Tamara is a manager and not an agent. This allows her certain privileges – besides collecting a larger commission (15% versus the 10% that agents get). “A manager is more personal. I am very selective, and there has to be chemistry between me and the parent. When you are with a manager you get to go out…get out more (for different bookings). I might be giving them more opportunities.”
On typical day, Tamara fields phone calls from agents regarding her clients’ availabilities. Then she deals with audition requests, followed by putting out her auditions at the end of the afternoon. She also sends out packages and submissions using a website available only to agents and managers. But before parents send in a photo and information to her, they need to understand that getting their child into show business is not easy. “If you work full time this is not the business for you. If your child doesn’t want to be in it, don’t force them. You can’t always live vicariously through your kids because it will show up on set. It’s not a weekend business. Sometimes your child will have to miss school for a shoot.”
While having to deal with stage parents can be a negative to her job, there is also the moment Tamara loves – the moment that she gets to share great news. “It’s always rewarding to call a parent and tell them [that] their child has been booked for something and hear their excitement.”
STATS
FAVORITE RESTAURANTS
Michael’s Cucina, Manalapan; Sawa, Long Branch; and The Bistro, Red Bank
FAVORITE MUSIC
‘80s club music
FAVORITE MOVIES
Borat and Slumdog Millionaire
PET PEEVE
being snubbed in public by people you know
THREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH
Oprah Winfrey, the hosts of “The View,” and Ellen DeGeneres
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