Another Agency to Watch? Re: Dodgy Agencies.

This was mailled to me although I believe the person actually meant to post a forum article instead. I repost here;

Subject: Dodgy Agencies
Date: Tue, 25/09/2007 - 07:13

Since were all discussing the topic of dodgy agenciesi. Brisbane is just as bad. I am with NATALIE HALL AGENCY. Supposedly they are the best, yet im really starting to wonder if they are, they send you out on jobs (no problem) but they take LOOOOOOOOOOONG to pay up to 6 MONTHS!! their main excuse is that the production companies they are dealing with have not paid them. I have been advised by MEAA that this is often an excuse to stretch payment. I often see other Natalie Hall Members when out on jobs and they often complain of the same thing. They demand you to be at the job pronto but yet when it comes to paying you, they all of a sudden dont want to know you. They dont charge you an upfront fee but the they take 20 percent commission plus ADMINISTRATION FEES! plus less tax ON EVERY JOB, so by the time you work it out its often not worth doing. Another thing this agency does is give different people different rates of payment. We all do the same job yet some people get paid less and others get paid more. They often change their rates of payment, i hear from other members that they do this if they think you are desperate to be on anything, they suss you out. Sometimes its $20 an hour sometimes its $40 an hour. I find them to be very tricky. Does anybody else have this problem? If so let me know on this forum.

My question is

1. Is this normal practice for Agencies?
2. How long does it take for Payment?
3. Do Production Companies REALLY delay paying Agencies hence they cannot pay you up to 6months?
4. What is the normal rate for extras work, feature work etc.?

Take Care Everyone!
she74

Thank you She74. Most agencies that I know of, try to do the best for their clients (you). Production companies do sometimes "stretch" things out. Sometimes their reasons are legit, sometimes not. Sometimes Agencies tend to drag things out also. The commission is to PAY for the administrative costs. I personally question this as an additional cost.

If this is a regular occurance, then I would tend to think that the agency itself is dragging their heels. If there are others that you know of making the same complaint, then maybe you should band together. If you are members of the MEAA, then as a group, you may be able to bring industrial action against the agency or production company. I would suggest getting further advice from them. They can only help you if you are members though.

Final option, if you are completely unhappy with you select agency, fire then. Get you money out of them and fine someone else. Remember, you are hiring the agency to find work for you.

As for what is the rates, check here - select the most appropriate area and read the PDF. This will give you minimum industry rates.

All the best - Jeff.