It happened yesterday after Kate Bosworth, a longtime UTA client, let the agency know she was leaving. So far she hasn't landed at another tenpercentery. But her latest film 21 looks like it will have a good opening weekend. Meanwhile, the rumor mill has heated up about UTA after this loss, and Vince Vaughn's leaving, and partner Marc Korman's jump to Endeavor. Competitors are swirling rumors that UTA's talent department is "falling apart" because of a "toxic atmosphere". There was even talk of a "coup attempt" to unseat some partners there or a "sure thing" that three talent agents are leaving. I'm on overdrive trying to check out every phone call. So let me set the record straight:
I can report that the lousy news led yesterday to some closed-door meetings among UTA's partners that turned ugly (as seen through the glass walls). "The partners had a fight. It was a bad week. But nobody's going anywhere," an insider explains to me. "The partners are hyper-passionate, so when stuff happens, they get upset. This is not a place where nobody cares." I'm told specifically that a couple of young partners not in the agency's talent department used the losses of Vaughn and Bosworth to "make some noise and get everybody uptight" and took advantage of Nick Stevens being out of town to take aim at two partners in his talent department, Lisa Hallerman and Sharon Sheinwold. Another source tells me, "It is true there were many conversations going on relating to the talent department and actors. The agency this week turned in on itself. It did get heated and loud. Yesterday was an intense day, but today is calm. I don't think anyone is leaving. I don't sense it at all."
At the same time, both inside and outside UTA, there appears to be a recognition that the major boutique may be at a crossroads right now. It certainly has turned down, and keeps turning down, overtures from other agencies to merge. It's still, as I like to describe it, the pretty girl at the party with a lot of very high-producing clients. But I do think it's getting harder for UTA to go it alone as the entertainment industry itself keeps consolidating. Yes, it has a unique place in the Hollywood food chain (even if its agents eat their young). The talent and tenpercenters attracted to United Talent can be described as notoriously aggressive and even combative, but also collaborative and creative, and ultimately original and iconoclastic. This is not agenting according to the philosophy that one-size-fits-all, thank god. True, over the years, UTA's actors list and personnel roster have been continuously picked off by CAA. "But UTA consistently does something that CAA can't, and CAA knows it: grow talent," a source reminds me. I don't see why that wouldn't happen now.
Who cares? Kate Bosworth is NOT a movie star. She’s gorgeous, sure, but I’m not really seeing the talent there. Her best role was in Wonderland 5 years ago and she attaches herself to lame projects, although I am planning to check out 21 this weekend. I just can’t see her opening a movie on her own. Obviously she’s very young (only 25), but she’s still gotta be below most starlets on the Hollywood food chain, like the three Jessicas (Alba, Biel, even Simpson), a couple Kates (Beckinsale and Holmes), and your Keiras, Scarletts and Natalies.
Comment by bigproducer — March 27, 2008 @ 7:26 pm
‘attaches herself to lame projects’? That would be UTA’s fault then, besides that her career isn’t half as bad as the Jessica’s you mentioned. Perhaps a new agent is what she needs though.
Comment by Jon — March 27, 2008 @ 8:08 pm
Get a real life. Who cares about Kate Bosworth? She is a C list actress at best. Sure she is hot but after blue crush it was all down hill. Dating Orlando Bloom does not an actress make.
Vince Vaughn? If it was not for the talent department to get him into Old School which put him back on the map, he would still be trying to find himself as an actor. Since Crashers, his schtick is getting tired. He sucked in The Breakup due to his interference. And Fred Claus was a real winner. Surprised he didn’t win the Oscar for that one. He is one dimensional and that is it. Let CAA find him a new career. they are just a bunch of bloodsuckers anyway.
Comment by getalife — March 27, 2008 @ 8:25 pm
And which department at UTA do you work in, getalife?
Comment by Transparency — March 27, 2008 @ 9:56 pm
As long as they keep publishing the UTA jobslist, i dont care what they do. Any chance of a CAA jobs list? yikes
Comment by BigHomey — March 28, 2008 @ 12:05 am
Don’t trivialize this because of Kate Bosworth’s talent or lack thereof. Fact is she has one of the more recognizable names for any actress under the age of 30. That’s why it’s relevant she’s bolting UTA. Yes, she might be another one-time “it” girl who fades into oblivion, but all it takes is the right movie roll (and a director who knows how to direct women, unlike Superman helmer Bryan “spell it with a ‘y’ or else” Singer) or successful TV show for her to be bankable.
Besides, this story is more about the possible fratricide within UTA than Ms. Bosworth.
Comment by P.J. — March 28, 2008 @ 12:12 am
Kate Bosworth? Really, who the hell cares? A no talent charisma free robot cookie cutter looks likes everyone else no mark.
IF UTA are panicking about losing her then they ARE in trouble.
Comment by mike — March 28, 2008 @ 3:10 am
It is really sad that the UTA people do not realize
what talent the talent department has
nick stevens is always at the top of his game as are
HIS PEOPLE
fighting with one another behind the backs of the
best of the best is a big mistake for UTA with all the compation out there
get it together you people and know you are making a big mistake listening to people who think they know something and are jealous they know NOTHING
AS FOR VAUGHN WHEN WAS HIS LAST GOOD MOVIE HE HAS BECOME A I KNOW IT ALL I AM VINCE VAUGHN LET SEE
Comment by sad sad sad — March 28, 2008 @ 7:45 am
UTA the best literary agency in town. It also recognizes talent and is willing to take a risk on it when no one else will. CAA takes no risks. Ever. They are serving the agenda of the agency not the agenda of the client. UTA has Wes Anderson, Charlie Kaufman, Judd Apatow, Dick Wolf, David Chase…the list goes on and on. They are the Paramount Vantage of the agenting world. Endeavor is sort of like a little bit of the CAA model with alot of the UTA model. It too has alot going for it as an agency.
CAA cannot create or nurture talent. Nor do they want to. It is easier to poach, convince that talent (whom they never would have signed at the beginning of their careers or recognized their potential)that they are now right for them. Actors, writers, directors are always vulnerable. It goes with the territory.
On the picket lines the lackey handing out scones from CAA kept saying to writers “Are you ready for a higher profile? This scone is from CAA…” Hilarious. There is nowhere they won’t poach. As one of the biggest stars in the CAA roster said to me about CAA “Ultimately I am just a trophy in their case. And when I hit my forties they will drop me so fast it will make your head spin.”
Comment by Steven — March 28, 2008 @ 12:44 pm
Thanks for the agency coverage Nikki. I love that stuff. I dream of one day being poached by CAA. My condolences, of course, to UTA. May they not self-implode.
Comment by MArcus L. — March 29, 2008 @ 10:20 am
Since we have a bit of Bosworth bashing here (by UTA employees?) I think I’ll give a positive comment. I am going to go see 21 *because* of Kate Bosworth.
Unlike the three absolutely vacuous Jessicas, Kate Bosworth has a refreshingly intelligent screen presence. So she’s cute and she can pull off roles in ways the empty-headed majority of young actresses today simply aren’t able to.
You say she can’t act? Nonsense. She does better than most and she’s certainly capable of carrying a lead role.
Comment by Gerry — March 29, 2008 @ 10:49 am