How to Find an Agent... and Survive, part 3
by Cathy McKim
Talent agencies prepare binders or promotional packages with photos
of the talent on their roster and distribute these to casting
directors; these should not require any expense on the part of the
performer beyond the cost of printing sufficient photo
reproductions to be placed in each binder.
Modelling agencies do charge their models for inclusion in various
promotional packages; the most common of these are the agency book,
and the agency headsheet. Sometimes only the agency's top-line
models are included in these; other agencies prefer to include all
of their models in the agency book or on the headsheet.
If you are
being charged to be in a book, or on an agency's headsheet, ask to
see earlier editions to assure yourself of the quality of these
promotional tools. Also, contact some of the agency's clients to
see if the book and headsheet are distributed and used. The fees
charged for inclusion in agency books and on headsheets should be
calculated based on the cost of printing the promotional material,
divided by the number of models included in the material. A
nominal fee to cover distribution costs may be added to the cost.
Remember that legitimate modelling agencies do not make any profit
on these promotions. If the fees are greater than your fair share
of the costs, something is wrong.
You may also find yourself being asked to pay for audio or video
demo tapes, computer database casting services, or resume
preparation and maintenance services, just to name a few of the
services some agencies are selling. For all these services, do
your homework; find out what is normal practice.
The best way to get a professional job on a demo tape is to hire a
professional who specializes in that service. While casting
directors look at tapes sent by agents they know, and some will
request them, if the tape is not good quality, it will do nothing
for you. Normally demo tapes are edited from clips of actual work
you have done; if you have no media work to use, you may select
material to record for a demo. If your agency does demo tapes in-
house, ask to see some tapes done for other performers to check on
the quality. Call a few casting directors to see if they would
look at a tape sent by your agent. And as always, find out whether
the costs are comparable.
At the present time, some U.S. casting directors are beginning to
make use of computer database casting services. The practice is
not common in Canada. If your career is at a point that you wish
to be visible to the U.S. market, you might consider such a
service. But check it out carefully first - preferably with the
Screen Actors Guild (SAG) if it is a U.S. service, or with ACTRA
and the Casting Directors Society of Canada if it is a Canadian
service.
Resumes are like photo reproductions: if you prefer to take
responsibility for regular updates and printing, discuss this with
your agent. It can be convenient to have your resume on your
agent's computer: it will be updated with each new job, and copies
are no further than the agent's printer. As always, investigate
the costs; even if you prefer not to take care of your resume
yourself, there are professional services that can offer you
similar convenience, and the price may be better. Just be certain
that your agent always has copies of your resume on hand.
As a rule of thumb, for any service offered, first find out if that
service is necessary, check the credentials of the people who will
be providing the service, and always comparison shop for price and
quality.
In Conclusion
If an agency's fees seem excessive, or if the services offered
differ from the norm in the industry, do further research. Check
with casting directors, or fashion photographers and studios (for
modelling agencies), to see if the agency is known by the people
who work with actors or models. Ask the agency for professional
references, and check them out. Watch out for circular references,
where connected companies give each other good references, but no
one else seems to know who they are. A reference is not worth much
when given by someone who has no credibility.
A contract is a binding legal agreement; once you sign, you are
committed to uphold all terms of the contract. Get legal advice if
there is anything you don't understand in the contract. Make
certain that all obligations - yours and the agent's - are clearly
laid out. Do your research before you sign anything, or give
anyone any money. A legitimate agent will answer your questions,
and will give you time to make a decision without undue pressure.
Do not sign anything until you are satisfied that the agent is
legitimate and the deal is right for you.
Back 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
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