Theatre Australia

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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

Dependant

Wed, 14 Dec 2011, 09:24 am

Depending on how much you actually get paid for the jobs they find you, then OK. To apply some basic Algebra $x * 10% = $150 Which means you would have the be paid $1500.00 to make $150 a viable 10% commission, Anything less than $1500 and it would be against Alliance/Equity standards.

I wonder what they would say if you presented them with this...

http://www.alliance.org.au/agents-lists/download-document/draft-standard-artists-representation-contract - I post it again as the link didn't work last time... LOL

At the end of the day, you take a chance with any agent/agency. You need to do enough research to feel comfortable with what you are getting into. If you feel you have investigated them enough, and the alternatives open to you, and you are comfortable with them, then take the chance. You may lose, you may gain. I think one of the hardest things to face is the possibility of loss but it is a real factor and you need to be prepared for it as this industry does not always take very good care of its staff as work is inconsistent, it is highly competitive, it is thinnly legislated and the Government doesn't really know how to properly handle it yet.

So, if you are ready to take the plunge, prepare yourself that it will not be smooth sailling, your work is only just beginning and you can always change later down the track.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins

Thread (7 posts)

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