Meet Pam Pahnke of Elegance Talent Agency – ELE Talent in Carlsbad

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pam Pahnke.

Pam, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started in this business when I was in 6th grade in Chicago when my school was putting on a fashion show. I was very shy, but my friends encouraged me to go to the audition. I ended up being chosen for the show. I didn’t do anything else until I was in high school when my brother’s girlfriend, who was a model, got me interested again.. I started doing print and runway. When my family moved to St Louis, I continued modeling part-time and also worked behind the scenes at the agency.

After a few years there, I wanted to make a move to California. I started out in San Francisco for a year; and then on a whim, went to Hawaii on vacation. After 3 weeks, I was hooked, and got a job at a modeling school/agency. I stayed on Oahu for 6 1/2 years. One of my favorite and memorable jobs that I did in Hawaii was being cast in a TV special, “Aloha from Hawaii”. I actually got paid to kiss Elvis Presley. One take, but the memory will last forever.

I then moved to San Diego and decided to open my own business. In the beginning, back in the late 70’s, I had a modeling and self-improvement training center. I also placed models internationally for work in Paris, Milan, and Japan.

When the television shows continued filming in San Diego, I decided to shift gears and open a talent agency representing actors, as well as models. I also became SAG franchised.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think in any business, there are struggles at times. I think one of the struggles for me was when the largest production company in San Diego stopping filming shows here. I represent many actors from Los Angeles, and they used to come down and work on the shows all the time.

Another challenge would be that clients try to get a lot for little money. I think the large contracts that we used to have are a thing of the past. Also, a lot of talent want to be actors and models, but they have to understand this is a business. If they show up late, or unprepared, it reflects back on the agency and then the client can lose trust in hiring the talent. I am pretty good at hiring talent that I can trust, but every so often; like everyone, we can be fooled.

Please tell us about Elegance Talent Agency – ELE Talent.
I am a SAG/AFTRA franchised talent agency and represent union and non union talent of all ages for commercials, tv, film, industrials, web, print, promotion, and voice over. I concentrate on jobs in the San Diego market, but also book some work in Los Angeles, Orange County, and other areas out of bounds.. We have done several jobs in Hawaii, Las Vegas, Cabo San Lucas and New Orleans.

I also enjoy seeing my actors perform, and attend numerous plays, as well as film festivals, and movie premiers.

I am also very involved with my community. I am an Oceanside Chamber Ambassador, as well as the President of the Oceanside Sea Lions, part of Lions International, a non-profit organization with an emphasis on sight and hearing. I have been coordinating the Miss Oceanside and Miss Teen Oceanside Scholarship Pageant for the past 40 years, which is sponsored by the Oceanside Sea Lions.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
We used to go camping a lot growing up. My dad would have a three-week vacation and we would travel all over the United States. We started out in a tent and then had a camping trailer. There were 4 children, so we had a lot of fun, especially traveling to the Black Hills, Mt Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park, etc.

I am so glad I had that opportunity. I still love to travel, and maybe that is where it all started.

Contact Info:

• Address: 2763 State St
  Carlsbad, Ca 92008
• Website: eletalent.com
• Phone: 760-434-3397
• Email: eletalent@sbcglobal.net
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eletalent/?ref=bookmarks Elegance Talent Agency – ELE Talent

Suggest a story: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.