How to Find an Agent... and Survive
by Cathy McKim
You're looking for an agent. And there are people everywhere
calling themselves agents, advertising for new faces, walking the
streets looking for actors and models. Some of these are agents -
mostly background or extras agents. Many of them are simply
selling courses or photography sessions; others function as booking
services for extras in addition to selling courses and photos, but
lack the contacts to promote you as a serious actor or model. How
can you tell the players from the phonies?
Agencies Who Advertise
Principal talent agencies rarely if ever advertise. These folks
have so many hopefuls lined up at their doors, photos and resumes
in hand, that they never need to look for new actors; when an
opening appears on the roster, they already have more than enough
applicants without having to pay to find more.
Some modelling agencies occasionally hold promotional events such
as modelling contests; such events are infrequent, and heavily
promoted in up-scale media with major corporate sponsors.
Everything about the agency, the contest, and its sponsors is
easily verifiable. But they do not advertise in other ways; they
also have hundreds of hopefuls lined up outside the doors, and
don't need to ask people to come and see them.
So who does advertise? Extras agencies sometimes do. There is a
high turnover on some agency rosters as people either get
frustrated and quit or (much less frequently) move up to actor's
parts. Also, crowd extras (the most common type of extra work, but
also the most boring and poorly paid) do not require a great deal
of training or experience to start. But the better the extras
agency, the less likely it is to advertise. Why? That long line of
hopefuls standing patiently outside their door, resume in hand.
So when you see an ad in the paper, or on TV, or at a transit stop,
or a sandwich board, think about who might be behind the ad.
Certainly not a well established professional agency that already
has its hands full of applicants. Maybe a brand new agency that
doesn't have a reputation yet, and no line of hopefuls at the door.
But it's far more likely to be someone in the business of selling
services to a high volume of people, and that's not how a real
agency makes its money.
Administration and Maintenance Fees
Agents earn a living on the commissions you pay them when you get
work. In most agencies, normal costs such as phone bills,
breakdown and courier fees, salaries and overhead are paid out of
general revenues, which is to say, commissions. However, some
talent agencies charge maintenance fees to cover some or all of
these costs. Where maintenance fees are charged, it means that the
agent does not expect to be able to pay normal costs out of
commission revenue. This may mean that the agent thinks you will
not get work, or in the worst of cases it may mean that the agent
is not an agent and cannot get you work. So if an agency asks for
money up front to represent you, you should be cautious.
If you are inexperienced, perhaps the agent is taking a chance on
you. Many agencies who represent new performers or extras charge
maintenance fees because their people may work less often and earn
less money when they do work.
Established principal talent agencies should have a strong enough
roster that they do not need to charge registration,
administration, or maintenance fees. Modelling agencies do not
charge any registration fees, and rarely charge maintenance fees.
Agencies which charge such fees average around $60.00 per year;
fees should not exceed $120.00 per year. Agencies should not
charge fees of a union member. Photographic Services
Agencies are not photographic studios; however, agents will have
varying degrees of involvement with the photographic requirements
of the actors and models they represent. Generally speaking,
legitimate talent agencies do not offer ionium photographic
services for actors. Some talent agencies will make arrangements
for you but if you are told that you must have photos taken through
the agency, leave at once. Standard procedure is for a talent
agency to give you a short list of photographers that they
recommend. You should visit each one, look at their work, and
select the one you feel the most comfortable with. Photos are a
vital promotional tool. While an agent's advice about what
photographer to use may be helpful, it is your choice to make.
Continue to Part 2
From "An Actor's Guide to Agencies in Toronto,"
published by Moonlighters Publishing Inc. Copyright © Moonlighters Publishing Inc. Used with permission of the author.
All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or distributed by any means without this copyright notice.
email:moonpeg@inforamp.net
Related Articles
More Articles by Cathy McKim
Reader Comments
Post Your Comments (Message Rules)
Home | Articles
|
Now Casting Movie Extras!
Become a movie extra and break into showbiz. Movie extras learn all of the tricks of the trade through real world, on-set experience. Plus talent agents, casting directors and production
companies are always looking for extras for their movies and TV shows.
www.moviex.com
|
|
|
Be the first to post a comment on this page.