The Breakup: Leaving your Agent or Getting Dumped

Breaking up is very complicated, and most times, so is leaving your agent. Although an agent may tremendously enhance an actors’ career for a period of time, chances are, he or she will eventually have to breakup. Before you make the decision to leave your agent, make sure you have a different one lined up (since agencies usually hire an actor that is currently being represented to ensure he or she is worth it.) However, remember, before you choose to leave your agent, that you have a contract, (a binding legal agreement,) and must follow through with it unless the circumstances are legal. In order to be legally right, do not be afraid to ask a lawyer about your current situation. Better safe then sorry!

A few apropos reasons to leave your agent include:

1.      Lack of trust

(If an agent is dishonest, there is nothing worse or more threatening to your career.)

2.      You’re potential is above and beyond that of your agent’s capability

(If you feel you are truly better then the smaller jobs your agent has signed you up for, you may also need to look for a new agency. Confronting them on this issue may even solve the problem, and result in them providing more opportunities for you since no agency wants to loose business.)

3.      The agent is not providing enough work for you

(If you feel your agent is not giving you work, call and remind them you are serious about acting. Sometimes, acting opportunities are real slow, and in other instances, your lack of experience for the moment may make you less applicable for the job. If neither of these reasons exist, and you are just not getting work, you need to find a new agent.)

4.      Your agent and you differ on which roles to choose

(If your agent is more concerned with making money off any little here or their acting gig, you may want to change agencies. You may also be going in a different direction all together.)

The possibility of a breakup is never one sided and may result in the agency dumping you. Below are some possible reasons an actor can get dumped:

1.      You have a terrible lack of communication and are hard to get in touch with (If an agent cannot reach you for an audition, you cannot attend, land the role and they cannot make money)

2.      You’re bad reputation has misrepresented or embarrassed the agency (Being late, unprepared, having a bad attitude at an audition or in a meeting with people in the business can cause the agency to drop you.)

3.      You are lacking in your desire to act.

(If you are losing your fire to act it is better to not waste the agents time and inform him. They do not want to spend countless hours finding jobs for someone with no desire.)

4.      You do not take initiative to advance in your craft

(If you are not taking the proper steps to find auditions, classes, altogether improve and get jobs, you are not going to be very attractive to your agent.)

With the knowledge you now have, it is up to you to decide if you will be the one “breaking up with” or the one who “just got dumped.” Choose wisely!

-Actors Nook Team