Meet Lucy Price: founder of "new school" agency Loop Talent

We are just so thrilled to be catching with Lucy Price (MD & Agent at Loop Talent) and her colleague, Daisy Stone, over luscious coffee at a fashionable boutique hotel in central London.

While most people express frustration and put up with their day job, what most people don’t usually do is set up their own business. But that is exactly what Lucy did. She decided to set-up her already successful talent agency amidst a global pandemic, with her very own ethos and vision.

What is your background?

I began my career in TV working as a floor runner on high end TV, and rose through the ranks of the Assistant Director department. I loved the organisational aspects and fast-paced nature of the role, which have moulded my work attitude ever since. I can’t wait around for someone else to do something, I have to press on and do it myself, which are perhaps the fundamentals behind deciding to start my own business.

Although I loved my job as a 2nd Assistant Director, I couldn’t foresee the reality of managing a career on-set alongside my plans for having a family. I made the transition from on-set to a busy office, joining an agency to manage their diary service of high profile crew. I found I was energised by my relationships with my clients and really excelled in the role. I was then tasked with setting up a new roster for the agency which was hugely exciting. The department became incredibly successful and I was so proud to secure such fantastic projects for my clients. Once I had my children, the timing felt right for me to leave and do my own thing.

Lucy Price at the Mandrake Hotel. Photo by Nic Roques.

What made you start Loop Talent and why?

I’d built strong relationships with my clients whilst working at another agency, which was always incredibly encouraging, but I often felt a disconnect between telling them they could achieve what they wanted to, and then not following my own advice. Coming from a freelance background, I’d always been at the mercy of others dictating what jobs I do, so, I realised after having my children it was necessary for me to be in control of my own career. I set up Loop so I could fulfil my own ambitions and run an agency how I wanted it to be run – with enthusiasm, proactiveness and authenticity.

“At Loop Talent we bridge the gap between productions and crew, helping producers find the best, most appropriate and available people for their project”

What does Loop Talent do?

At Loop Talent we bridge the gap between productions and crew, helping producers find the best, most appropriate and available people for their project. We have a fantastic roster of talent including BAFTA, RTS, British Arrows Craft, and UKMVA award-winning, and Emmy-nominated talent. Even if we don't currently represent a particular department, we will go out of our way to help productions find the people they need. We want to be as production-friendly as possible and ensure everyone who speaks to us has a positive experience.

What does 'creating change' mean to you?

Seeing the issues or problems that people in the industry face and doing what I can from my position to make it better. There are so many things that affect people working behind the scenes in our industry, so it’s imperative that, as an agent, I support them in whatever capacity they need. We have external industry resources available on our website and I talk to my clients regularly about how they are and any issues affecting them on set. If there is something I am made aware of that I don’t agree with, then I will do my best to help rectify it. We also operate a no tolerance policy on antisocial behaviour, harassment and hate.

How are you making your mark?

We’re making our mark by representing the ‘new school’ of talent – a variety of skilled, diverse, creative and production-friendly crew.

We’ve also joined forces with the amazing charity Arts Emergency to help young people from diverse and typically underrepresented communities into the industry. We’ve invited four young people to join the Loop Talent Diary Service as trainees in their chosen department for a year for free. We're also partnering these trainees with a Loop Talent HOD to offer mentoring and paid experience on set (Covid permitting). In this year's cohort, we have invited three people into the camera department and one person into the costume department. We became aware from our interview process that these young people found it impossible to get into the filming industry, particularly because of Covid. Offering this opportunity encourages progression within the industry, something I’m very passionate about. We're mindful and insistent that all experience must be paid, and they must be offered the same opportunities afforded to others.

Are you a workplace wellbeing champion?

As a company, both myself and our Diary Service Manager Daisy work from home, so it's imperative I create regular check-ins to support her, both professionally and personally if needed. We have a morning stand-up where we discuss our hopes for the day and address any blockers we can help each other with. We then meet in the afternoon to see how things are progressing and to generally catch up. This is a great tool to monitor progress, offer assistance where required, and generally just check in. I want to ensure Daisy feels supported at all times and if there's a tricky situation, I am on hand to help.

On a Friday I encourage our afternoon calls to be taken during a walk around the block or we put some tunes on and have a little dance. It sounds silly, but it's fun and it gets us away from our screens and moving.

Is there an optimal agent-talent relationship?

It’s so important for me to see drive and focus in my clients. I want to know what their goals are so I can help them work towards them. As an Agent, it’s important to be on the same page and enjoy talking to each other, otherwise it just doesn’t work.

What motivates you?

My clients, and that incredible buzz I get when I’ve helped them achieve something they really wanted. Nothing makes me happier than telling someone they’ve been offered a brilliant opportunity or an award.

“I want everyone to know about Loop Talent, see our clients’ amazing work, and to realise their potential” - Lucy Price

Your mantra is…?

Visibility – show people who you are, what you can do, what you’re about and what you want. Daisy and I joke that we open doors and fulfil dreams (we often celebrate someone doing well by blasting out Gabrielle’s song ‘Dreams’) but the real ethos is to empower, progress and nurture. We’ve been freelance ourselves, so we fully appreciate the benefit of being that person our clients can sound off to and helping them to strategize their career plans.

What’s the future for Loop Talent?

I’m excited to expand the Diary Service to include more departments, particularly roles which are relatively new but so valuable to the industry, like intimacy co-ordinators.

I want our clients to work on smart, culturally relevant projects, and as a company, I want us to collaborate with other people and companies aligned with our values.

I’m very ambitious and have big ideas for the future of Loop Talent. By its very nature a Loop has no edges or boundaries, the possibilities are endless…

Lucy Price (left) and Daisy Stone (right) at the Mandrake Hotel. Photo by Nic Roques.

Meet Daisy Stone, Crew Manager at Loop Talent…..

What is your background?

I graduated from the University of Gloucestershire in 2012 with a BA Hons after studying Television Production. Shortly after graduating, I worked as a runner on numerous reality TV programmes, working my way up to become a casting researcher. I left the freelance life and moved to manage a Crew Diary Service building up a client list of over 50 crew members. I joined Loop Talent in 2021 to launch a new brilliant and diverse roster of Crew working in TV, Film, Commercials & Music Promos.

What motivates you?

I'm a people person. I love talking to people and learning about their lives and career plans. I also love working under pressure and juggling multiple diaries, anything to make my brain tick. I am also a number 1 Spice Girls fan, so whacking on Wannabe instantly lifts my mood and motivates me. Girl Power forever!

What are your goals as a diary manager?

I want to support the up-and-coming talent in this industry, finding out career goals and helping people progress. I am super excited that Loop is working with Arts Emergency. Anything we can do to help young people get a foot in the door, I think is so important.

What are your personal career goals?

For me, I would love to become an agent at Loop representing Cinematographers and Production Designers working across music videos and commercials. Lucy is hugely supportive and encouraging and I am looking forward to progressing my career with Loop Talent. #womensupportingwomen

Daisy Stone (left) and Lucy Price (right) at the Mandrake Hotel. Photo by Nic Roques.

Loop Talent is a specialist agency that manages and promotes below-the-line talent working in Film, TV, Commercials and Music Promos. We represent Directors of Photography, Production Designers, Costume Designers, Hair & Make Up Designers and Military Advisery company Bare Arms. Loop Talent is based in Greater London and works with global clients on projects worldwide.

Visit Loop Talent’s website here https://looptalent.co.uk

Stunning location courtesy of The Mandrake Hotel