Potential agent suggestions for Melbourne actor?

Tue, 27 Sept 2011, 01:26 am

Franklint7 posts in thread

Hi everyone, I have no doubt that posting a request like this here is very unprofessional of me - I'm a hopeful 18-year-old singer and actor thinking of giving professional theatre a go. I've done my fair share of amateur productions, and am planning to now start taking steps towards the professional scene. I've read a number of the great Theatre Australia guides, and so have some idea of the industry and agents. However, I'm based in Melbourne, where there are more theatrical agents than I can count. I've been to the websites of many of the Equity-listed ones, and really can't work out how to tell the reputable from the dis, and the professional from the un. I'm wondering, therefore, if any of you can recommend some good theatrical agents I could use as a starting block, to call while knowing I am getting in touch with a quality agency. If possible, I'd like them to represent performers for musical theatre firstly, and also opera and straight drama. I am also wondering if any headshot photographers can be recommended. I've been to the websites of most of the main web-searchable ones around Melbourne, and most have very artsy sites, with little more than pages and pages of photographs. Considering the price I'd be paying for professional headshots (around $300 in most cases), I'd like to feel confident that I'm going to be satisfied with the result. Thank you all very much for spoon-feeding me in my early stages :). Cheers, Will Pridmore

For myself

Tue, 6 Dec 2011, 09:37 pm

Labrug

I would not be prepared to pay so much for what is basically a Recruitment Service. The MEAA Equity policies state quite clearly that expenses that are required by the Actor to pay do not include fees on a regular basis.

There are some expenses that are expected to be paid which include, as per Alliance Documentation

Expenses

For the purposes of clause 2.k the Performer consents to the Agent deducting expenses:

a. Incurred by the Agent in obtaining reproductions of photographs and showreels on behalf of the Performer;

b. Incurred by the Agent with respect to a foreign currency receipt into the Agent’s trust account on behalf of the Performer;

c. Incurred by the Agent in couriering (either within Australia or overseas) any item the Performer requests the Agent to courier;

d. Incurred by the Agent in the procurement of legal advice at the request of the Performer provided that the Performer has been made aware of the cost of that advice at the time the Performer’s consent is sought,

provided that the Performer may request the Agent to provide written evidence of the expense incurred. If such written evidence is not provided to the Performer within 7 days of request then the Agent will reverse the deduction made within 14 days of the Performer making the request for the written evidence.

Read this contract form from Alliance.org.au
http://www.alliance.org.au/agents-lists/download-document/draft-standard-artists-representation-contract

Showcase is another matter and there is a charge associated with that. You can join as a freelance actor to the site and this is to pay for Web Services which are no covered under general agency services because the site is technically not an agent, or something like that.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins

Thread (7 posts)

Threaded Flat

Potential agent suggestions for Melbourne actor?— Franklint27 Sept 2011

Help from West— Labrug27 Sept 2011
Hi Jeff, Thanks very much— Franklint29 Sept 2011
Hi guys, An update: I— Walter Plinge6 Dec 2011
- For myself— Labrug6 Dec 2011
Interesting— Walter Plinge14 Dec 2011
- Dependant— Labrug14 Dec 2011

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