licensing is the process by which a distributor acquires the legal right to exploit a film. In distribution, licensing itself can take place on two levels. International distribution ensures that films find their way to the 90+ market 'territories' around the world. The major US studios generally have their own distribution offices in all the major territories. By contrast, independent producers have to sell their films to different distributors in each territory. Independent production companies are usually small concerns, sometimes set up for one film and often lacking the necessary knowledge or contacts of each of the territories around the world. Instead of doing this themselves, they might choose to hire a specialist sales agent, whose function is to understand the value of a film in many different markets. The sales agent will then set up stall at the film markets that take place throughout the year. Then there is 'local' distribution, which involves the distributor acquiring the licence to release and exploit the film in a particular country. The distributor will usually pay the producer a minimum guarantee for the licence. This fee will vary depending on the status and perceived commercial potential of the film, and on the range of rights that the distributor chooses to exploit. A distributor will usually be offered theatrical rights, for showing the film in cinemas; video rights, for video and DVD exploitation; and TV rights, if the distributor is able to sell the film to a broadcaster. In addition to paying a fee to secure the film, the licence will stipulate that the distributor will also pay royalties to the producer, taken from the profits that the film generates. A local distributor will conventionally share profits equally with the producer for the theatrical leg, pay back higher royalties for broadcast rights, and lower for video/DVD. Once the licence has been agreed, it is then the distributor's job to launch the film.
Agents can be basically broken down into different categories, A, B, and C. An “A level" agency has the greatest power, “pull”, and prestige. Most new actors are not even considered by these top agencies because they mostly handle the big stars. It is very well possible that one of these agents will approach you one day. I say “approach you” because the majority of the time these agents cannot be acquired. They seek you out. Of course, you’d have to be out there in film or television doing something in order for these agents to approach you. The top four agents in Hollywood are Creative Artists (CAA), The William Morris Agency (WMA), International Creative Management (ICM), United Talent Agency (UTA) and tons of others in between but those are the top four. Just about every major star you see in the movies or on television most likely are represented by one of these four agents.