W.A. Agents

Ok now we all know how hard it is to make it in Perth.....but does anyone know any good agents or casting reps in W.A? Replies would be much appreciated.
Cheers

Sorry, didn't want to put my name etc down due to the nature of the post - I've heard Actors Management and Frogs are good - I really wouldn't recommend Actors Plus, I've been with them for a bit and haven't heard boo from them since I had my photos done (I'll probably be seeking to switch to A.M. once my current production is finished) - of course, if anyone else disagrees with me on this then I'd be as interested as Kelly here in hearing what they have to say.

In advance I know people may object to criticisms etc of casting agents - especially by anonymous forum posting - but frankly they seem to be the least accountable part of the acting industry, with little or no information available to actors as to which ones are actually any good.

Anon.

Could not agree more. I have heard too many stories of Actors Plus withholding payment, charging way too much commission, pretending that payments have not been received from the client and paying when it suits them, and a general demeanour of incompetence that is bound to come from a modelling agency who believe that (and I quote) 'acting and modelling are pretty much the same things, aren't they?', and 'voice-overs? What are they? How much would you make from one of those?'. AP have little cred and most actors on their books bailed almost immediately following the collapse of A.C.E, all to the advantage of Actors Management and Frog. That said, these two reputable agencies are fairly difficult to get into, considering that three large-sized agencies were compacted into two even bigger ones, but agents are, i'm afraid, almost a necessary evil in this business. Some get by without them, but mine has been very good to me and I would not like to get by without them.

Cheers
Dom

Frog and Actors Management are pretty much all there is in Perth. The rest of them are Modelling agencies and should be avoided. With Actors Management you have to audition for them. Consider attending the Film and TV Institute at Fremantle. Annie Murtagh-Monks also works as a Casting Director and in that capacity she would not only see how well you can act but also know your face.

Yes. Actors Plus is especially good if you're one of those actors who likes being lied to and not paid.

In reply to the comments made .......
I assume that these negative comments are in regard to a recent corporate
video shoot for a Korean company, by an Eastern States producer, which we
finally threatened with a summons after many telephone calls and faxes - we
have yesterday (13/12/01) received part payment and already cheques have
been written up to the amount that we have received. As a small business I
cannot afford to pay money out that it is not in the bank. This client
normally pays within days but we believe is still having difficulties
collecting his monies from Korea. As regards commission we charge the same
as Actors Management and Frog, unless the job (as in the case afore
mentioned) has come to Jemma International for models and casting talent.
When this happens we take modelling commission (21%) and we cross over our
ACTors + so that up and coming actors can add to their CV's - no one person
has to accept these terms.
In reply to "anon" it may just be that you are simply not in an age bracket
that has much work coming in or we have suggested you and/or shown your
photo to the casting director and their final decision has been to not include
you. I can assure you that we put all our actors forward - if they fit the
brief. We would encourage you to ring us directly and talk to us about it
rather than posting anonymously.
As for Dom's criticism I am afraid that you will have to put a name to the
alleged comments made by any of us at ACTors +. I have recorded voice overs
myself in Melbourne, Sydney, Singapore and Perth so obviously know what a
voice over is. When we first helped out with the ACE crisis we also obtained
a current rate sheet from Media Alliance and when in doubt, were kindly
helped by Viv from Frog Management. As for actors "bailing" from our
books, the actors "bailed" from ACE, as we only had a few actors at the time
and I might add that they are all still with us. We were requested at the
time to just answer phones that were being cut off so that the ACE actors
could still work. For those who care I have also performed on stage in
Perth and Sydney and therefore I can assure you that I well and truly know
the difference between modelling and acting (modelling is easier!).
However, you must agree that they are all performances! The supposed quote
is either a lie or a remark that has been taken out of context.
To my knowledge at no stage have any of my actors been told that the payment
has not been received when it has. Are you aware that most jobs are paid
60-90 days due to the fact that the majority of our ACTors + clients are
advertising agencies and operate on thier own terms of trade of 45 - 60
days. Once again depending on whether their client has paid them!
Yours faithfully,
:-)
Maxine Howell-Price

I have been with Jemma/ Actors + for quite a few years now and have never had difficulty in getting paid, in fact once upon a time when I was starving , broke and with three kids to feed they gave me an advance payment on a gig I was cast for. They have managed to get me all sorts of different work in all facets of the industry. When I was finding work scarce maxine got me work in Parades , spruiking, street promotions and whatever there was going. Don't shoot the messanger if you miss out, if they are looking for a young surfer type and you are in your late twentys or early thirties you wont get the gig no matter how good your Hamlet is.
I have always found Maxine brilliant to deal with compared to some other people in the industry, I know of other actors that change agents or secretly culivate other agents more often than they change their underwear.
An agent can be a very personal thing they can end up knowing your strengths and weaknesses better than you do. We rank our agents by how much work they get us,, and we always want more don't we?

My Goodness people,

A bit of support goes a long way especially at this time of year!!! It is very simple, if you're not happy with your agent, life or hairstyle then for goodness sake change it. Don't go around slagging off hard working individuals because you're not happy.

Does anyone actually read the home page message that Grant has put on the beginning of this site? Constructive critism and support is what we should be giving each other. For goodness sake. Backstabbing and bitchyness in the Arsts industy is a myth that perth artists are making a reality. If you have justifyable complaints then take them up with the individuals involved don't hide behind anonimity and blocked e-mail addresses in the hope that the people you are complaining about won't find out. Perth is too small. I am sure if the situations of the disgruntled individuals was reversed and people at Actors plus were purposely trying to slur thier name on a very highly read site there would be lawyers involved!! Just be nice for god's sake!!!

Jo

I've always found 'Actors +' great, espicially Maxine. I have had a few audtions and even been sucessful for a couple!

I think it depends on two factors

1) The availability of work and if you suit the roles!

2) Your attitude - espicially in the Arts, espicially in Perth. Its a small world. Keep in contact with your agent.

Good Luck!

Ex-Perth Girl having an espicially good time in New Zealand?