Julie McDonald (agent)

Julie McDonald
Residence Los Angeles, California
Occupation Talent agent
Years active 1985 - Present
Employer McDonald Selznick Associates
Known for Being the first dance agent i.e. the first talent agent to offer commercial representation for dancers
Home town Seattle, Washington[1]

Julie McDonald (born 1954) is a talent agent and co-founder of McDonald Selznick Associates (MSA), an agency headquartered in Hollywood, California, that represents dancers, choreographers, stage directors, and production designers. In the 1980s McDonald worked as a ballet and modern dancer and owned a dance studio in Venice, California, called Room to Move.[1] Due to a knee injury while shooting a television commercial, she was forced to end her dance career early,[2] but she still had the desire to work in entertainment. In 1985 after taking a three week entertainment business course, she took a position as an agent at Joseph, Heldfond & Rix (JHR) agency. At the time JHR only represented actors.[2] McDonald became the country's first dance agent by creating the company's (and thus the country's) first agency department dedicated exclusively to dancer representation;[1][2][3][4][5] at the time, representation for dancers did not exist. At the first audition, 300 dancers showed up.[1] One of her first clients was Paula Abdul.[2]

While at JHR, McDonald worked to improve working conditions for dancers and secure overtime and hazard pay. In 1990, she founded the Dancers Alliance to establish minimum rates for work.[6][7] In 2000, she left JHR and founded McDonald Selznick Associates with business partner Tony Selznick.[1] From JHR she took agents Aria Dietz-Baim and Anic Dizo, as well as her entire client roster of choreographers including Darrin Henson, Nadine "Hi Hat" Ruffin, Kenny Ortega, Marguerite Derricks, Travis Payne, Jerry Mitchell, and Wade Robson.[8]

In addition to running MSA, McDonald is on the advisory council of Dance Camera West film festival.[9] She is also an associate producer for the dance documentary MOVE.[10] In 2010 McDonald was honored at The Carnival: Choreographer’s Ball "for being a pioneer of dance representation." Her award was presented to her by Paula Abdul, Tony Selznick, and Robin Antin.[11] In 2011 she won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 14th Annual Dance Under the Stars Choreography Festival.[12]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Sagolla, Lisa (September 30, 2009). "A Pioneer in Representing Dancers". VNueMedia.com. http://login.vnuemedia.com/bso/advice-dance-movement/a-pioneer-in-representing-dancers-1004015801.story. Retrieved August 24, 2011. "A true pioneer in the field of representing dancers, McDonald started by working for JHR (which then became KSA), a big commercial agency in Los Angeles. 'I went there in 1985 and formed the first department ever to represent dancers,' she says. 'I began by putting a very small ad in Variety saying 'Dancers Wanted for Representation.' I got some of my friends from my old dance studio to hold an audition, and 300 people showed up. There was clearly a great interest and a great need.'" 
  2. ^ a b c d Maloney, Kathleen (November 8, 1992). "THE BIZ : Making the World Safe for Choreography". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 24, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/61BPbXD8R. Retrieved August 24, 2011. 
  3. ^ Delegall, Jewel. "Dance and Choreography: Making an Impact". CampusCircle.com. Archived from the original on August 24, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/61BPTqeYA. Retrieved August 24, 2011. 
  4. ^ Towers, Deirdre. "Spotlight on ground-breaking dance agent Julie McDonald". DanceFilms.org. http://www.dancefilms.org/2010/03/31/mayjune-2007-journal/. Retrieved August 24, 2011. "The growth of opportunity for the above dancers and so many more over the last 2 decades can be traced to pioneering choreographer/dancer agent Julie McDonald. When her own career as a dancer was cut short by injury, Julie broke new ground by becoming the first talent agent to exclusively represent dancers and choreographers." 
  5. ^ Wolf, Sara (February 2005). "Landing a gig in L.A.: insider advise from pro dancers, choreographers, and agents at Grover Dale's career power workshop on how to stand out". FindArticles.com. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1083/is_2_79/ai_n8709090/. Retrieved September 12, 2011. 
  6. ^ Wheelock, Julie (August 24, 1991). "She Fights for the Rights of Dancers". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 24, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/61BPyRMjk. Retrieved August 24, 2011. 
  7. ^ Perry, Aliya (April 3, 2011). "What is Dancer's Alliance? Intense interview with co-chair, Galen Hooks and board member, Dana Wilson". TheIndustryVoiceOnline.com. http://theindustryvoiceonline.com/get-to-know/what-is-dancers-alliance-intense-interview-with-co-chair-galen-hooks-and-board-member-dana-wilson.html. Retrieved November 9, 2011. 
  8. ^ Feiwell, Jill (2000). "Agents choreograph own firm". The Daily Variety 269 (12): 11. "Choreography agents Julie McDonald and Tony Selznick have ankled Kazarian/Spencer Associates, taking with them their entire client roster and agents Aria Dietz-Baim and Anic Dizon, to launch their own shingle, McDonald/Selznick Associates." 
  9. ^ "About". DanceCameraWest.org. http://www.dancecamerawest.org/about_bod.htm. Retrieved September 11, 2011. 
  10. ^ "MOVE Film Crew". SoderlingProductions.com. http://www.soderlingproductions.com/movethefilm/9.html. Retrieved September 12, 2011. 
  11. ^ "Carnival Choreographer’s Ball 11th Anniversary". DanceBloggers.com. February 1, 2010. http://www.dancebloggers.com/2010/02/carnival-choreographers-ball-11th-anniversary/. Retrieved September 13, 2011. 
  12. ^ "Dance Under the Stars Choreography Festival". McCallumTheatre.com. http://www.mccallumtheatre.com/education/festival.php. Retrieved November 9, 2011. 

External links