Rip Off Agency joining fees? Lets Out them!

First up, I in principle agree with you. The should be some way to regulate agents. The UK has it that it is illegal to charge upfront fees and Australia should follow. However, in my experience, exposure is only a band-aid solution. These agents that practice con services will only come back again in a new guise or from a different source. Exposing then becomes a perpetual motion effect.

Education is the best weapon. Educate enough people that upfront fees are fundamentally wrong, without clear and legal justification, and there would be no income source for these con artists, leaving the field open for the legit agents to practice their services without the taint these heartless souls cause. Incorporating this knowledge so that every new hopeful is exposed before they enter the fray can undermine this exploitable sub-group.

To that end, extensive advice posts, from across the internet, from a variety of sources are available to those who seek it. Such as the information provided on this site... http://www.theatre.asn.au/book_page/agents_and_agencies or via the Alliance www.aliance.org.au and so forth.

Exposure is only a temporary fix. Education and passing on the word is long-term.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins

Just a wee thought! Maybe the union or the established employers, could do an acreditation. say in the form of other Industries. Where by they protect. By renting a stylised logo each year, to the agencies that comply' with the Industries standarts.

Which for the most part has reduced rip off merchants & gives the punter some recourse.

That requires legislation and legalisation before such a policy can be put in to place. Something the Union does (I believe) lobby for. Until the Politicians and Legal folk recognise the need for stricter policing of the industry, such a thing cannot happen.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins

I agree Jeff!

But it only takes a small breeze to start a wind! I realise  this is possibly outside the Polcy &/or Orginsational Rules/Regs of of our Aunty ITA! But it may be of value to fmembers in affiliated Groups with the aspirations in proeatre. Thus in turn the Grand Onion in cultivating future growth.

It's of no concern, Except in members stepping out into proeatre.

Which I believe may be within the presidents of Pohmy legislation, brought on by wilberforces's "water Babies" act.

But again this is the domain of the 'AEIO" "n Theatre Unions.

 belive Bill even if it's stated 'without Prejudice' it could still atract some legal action, possibly on the basis of the adage 'Those who carry the bigest stick, may well prevail'!

Maybe depending upon the mumbers agrieved, it may be of concern to your local "consumer Protection', Who have the legislation to bring about a 'test case' &/or further actions.

In terms of permission, you are free to publish what-ever-you-like in those mediums that permit them. This forum does not have a policy pertaining to the publication of details so sure, you could post actual names.

However, please be aware that by giving you the freedom to post such items, we must also allow those that get posted about the freedom to raise complaint. If they then specifically request the removal or editing of said post, then they are completely within their legal right to do so. Under specific circumstances, we may then be legally obliged to edit or remove such posts.

Therefore my point as to education. To educate a person to a specific agency through a name-and-shame activity is simply non-productive.

• Firstly, there is very little difference between someone with a grudge and a legitimate claim. On the internet, there is very little to tell the difference.
  
• Also, if the claim is legit and the company is "found-out" there is nothing to stop them changing their company name, and starting again. Then you are back to square one.
  
• Furthermore, by singling out one company, you potentially draw attention away from yet others whom may also deserve such attention, or draw attention to yourself by legitimate companies and thus give yourself a bad reputation damaging your chances of joining a professional group.
  

The education I was referring to is the general knowledge of rights, expectations and requirements that any acting professional needs to know to enable them to identify the cons from the pros. With that education, then you should be able to identify them without a name-and-shame campaign, which traditionally only get smothered quicker than they are posted. My proposed education is long-term and permanent.

Additional words for thought: a Name-and-shame process is a high risk venture. Developing tools and an understanding of the signs to watch for is an investment in your future.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins

If you really want to make a difference, do a search on the internet about advice on finding agents, or use the blogs on this site, and tell your friends to read them.

Finally, in reference to your item about calling someone whom advertised in the paper... I wrote this some time back...

http://www.theatre.asn.au/blog/labrug/talent_agencies_that_advertise

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins