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

Finding an Agent

Having an agent is not necessary, but with one you will have access to many more acting opportunities then without one. More acting opportunities increase your chances of getting more jobs and becoming more successful. After all, casting directors notify the agents, not the actors, when they are holding an audition.

A good agent will represent and provide an actor with many audition opportunities. They are sincere about and trustworthy with boosting the actors’ career, not just taking their money, since they will earn 10-15% of everything an actor makes. When applying for agencies, note a big agency does not mean big success. For example, in a large agency, there are so many aspiring actors that an actor may not get enough one on one attention and become quickly forgotten. However, a respectable agency, that is up and coming, will suffice and will feel lucky to represent every individual they have.

If you are interested in finding an agent, contact at least 20 or more agents, (the more you contact, the better,) and send them (or hand deliver to save on postage) your headshot, resume and cover letter. Your cover letter should include an introduction to yourself and the most impressive aspects of your acting experience, with hopes of enticing them to represent you.

By contacting the unions below you may get a record of franchised agents. (In order to avoid scams, only become represented by at union franchised agent. Doing business with an agent that is not franchised means, ultimately, they can do whatever they want which is not always legal. If any agent requires money upfront, it is a scam.)

1.     Screen Actors Guild National Office

-Phone #: 323-954-1600

-www.sag.org

-5757 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90036-3600

2.     American Federation of Television and Radio Artists National Office

-Phone #: 212-532-0800

-www.aftra.org

-260 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10016

     3. Actor’s Equity Association National Office

-Phone #: 212-869-8530

-www.actorsequity.com

-165 West 46^th street, Floor 15, NY, NY 10036

4. Go to the Academy Player’s Directory at www.acadpd.org and scroll through different actors to see which agencies represent them.

5. Networking with other actors can help point you in the right direction for a successful, respected agency.

6. If you are already involved in a production and performing at the time of your search, you may also invite agencies to watch you.

About a week in a half after you send your headshot and resume, follow up with a phone call and try to set a time to meet. If you do not get responses from the first 20 agents contacted, contact more. Then, critique your headshot and resume in case the problem is your presentation. If an agent is interested, set up a time and place to meet! This first impression is extremely important since you must persuade your agent to believe in you. Through this meeting, your goal is to communicate yourself as a serious, professional, prepared, dependable and aspiring actor. You should bring your headshots, extra proofs, resume and whatever else showcases your talent. Be prepared to sing a song or do a monologue if they request one. Your attire is very important because the agents will want to see you at your best. If there is a certain character type you fit best, embrace and dress that type. Do not be defensive, but always take constructive criticism and advice from your potential agent.

Once an agent agrees to represent you, next comes signing the contract, which usually lasts for one year, followed by a meeting, with the possibility of three additional years. The contract must be read thoroughly. Never sign a contract right away, but instead take it home for further investigation, deliberation and legal advice! Look specifically at commission rates and which certain conditions are required for both parties if they end the deal.

Be sure to ask your potential agent the following questions:

1.What is my casting type? (Are you marketable enough? How can you improve your chances of being casted?)

2.Who would represent me from your agency? (Is this person dedicated and respected?)

3. How many other people fall into that same category? (Will I get lost in a massive crowd?)

4. Where do you feel I fit in this industry? (Does the potential agent have similar ideas of where to market you?)

5. How would they develop your career?

6. What type of work have your current clients received?

7. What type of communication do your agents and clients have? (It is extremely important to have good communication so you do not miss opportunities to attend certain auditions.) Do not be afraid to suggest possible auditions to attend.  Your agent will then know you are proactive and serious about your work as well. Remember, part of your job is to sell yourself as an actor, and an agent is just another potential buyer!

 -Actors Nook Team