agents

For those who were asking... the agencies in Perth for casting I believe are FROG, Actors Management and what was ACE. ACE has folded and Jemma Modelling Agency has absorbed it. Basically ACE shut down and Jemma has now extended their casting 'arm' (called Actors+).
There are other minor agencies but the three mentioned would be the biggest. From what I can gather modelling agencies tend to get more print and tv commercials, while acting agencies get more stage, film and video work. However as ACE has re-directed their phones to Actors+ (or Jemma) they should get more "acting" work as well.
Take your pick! Whew!

hey ansli, thanx 4 the info.

kim

A.C.E. closed its doors last Thursday 18th May, which was a surprise to the staff who arrived to be told they were to hand over their keys and forthwith were no longer employed there. This decision was made by the owner, Adrian Mulraney, who is currently in Melbourne. Adrian was not prepared to allow the staff to pre-warn any actors that this closure was imminent prior to making this decision. Supposedly, the actors on A.C.E.'s books are being contacted by either Adrian or Jemma (a modelling and casting agency) who have taken over the books and outstanding accounts, but obviously at this time not everyone has yet been notified.

I know about this because I am working with one of A.C.E.'s former staff members!

Good luck to all those affected and hope you will find other representation either with Jemma or another agent. Should you decide to go freelance, please do let me know of your details as I have casting projects on the go and would like to know where I can find you!

Jenni Cohen
Casting Consultant

Letters to all of A.C.E.Â’s actors and artists will be dispatched on Tuesday 30 May 2000. The delay has been caused by the inability to gain access to A.C.E.Â’s premises until last Thursday.

Although, A.C.E.Â’s business was unable to continue, it is AdrianÂ’s wish that his Artists &Actors are properly looked after and to this end he has offered to make available all of his books and records to Actors+ for review.

All amounts received by Actors+ subsequent to 18 May 2000 will be deposited in a trust account and paid to the relevant artists out without undue delay. Long outstanding accounts will be actively pursued to enable early payment to artists.

In respect of amounts received by A.C.E. before 18 May 2000, but not paid out to Artists, a reconciliation is being prepared and matched with the amount held in A.C.E.’s “E’ Account. When this has been completed, the full amount held in the “E” account will be paid to the applicable artists.

Whilst it is unfortunate and regrettable, that A.C.E. was unable to continue trading, it would have been considerably more serious had the company continued to trade after its adverse financial position was identified.

All actors and artists are welcome to contact Actors + (a division of Jemma International Pty Ltd) to obtain any further information regarding representation and any outstanding monies. The telephone number is 9421 1770

Hi Patrick

Although i'm not immediately affected by A.C.E.'s closure, it's reassuring to hear that the interests of the artists and actors affected are being considered and attended too.

Good luck chasing up those long standing accounts!

I'm not suggesting that this is an issue for either Jemma or A.C.E, but I hear that it is not entirely uncommon for actors to be kept waiting for 2 months or more for payments. From personal experience with an agency that no longer exists, twice i waited more than 4 months for payments. Hey, call me stupid (you won't be the first) but i think the factors pressuring me not to complain haven't changed much since then.

MEAA's hands would appear to be tied until someone comes forward and reports their difficulties in obtaining payment. The actor frequently doesn't wish to create a stir and jeopardise their good standing with their agent. The agency in turn must maintain cordial relations with the production company. But at the end of the day the award conditions are flagrantly transgressed and bills don't get paid and people don't eat.

So what's an actor to do? Anyone care to share some experiences?

Cheers
Grant