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

Thread (7 posts)

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FranklintTue, 27 Sept 2011, 01:26 am

LabrugTue, 27 Sept 2011, 09:37 am

Help from West

Being from the west, I cannot help you directly, and that said, probably would say what I am about to say anyway. If an agent is on the Equity list, you can be pretty much certain that they are at least legit, so no worries there.

Other things you can do is to call them and find out about their application requirements. Having read some of the guff on this site, you should know or be aware of the things to look out for, things that may not get listed on a web site.

You could also look at any talent they may already represent and see what you can find out about them on the net. Or you could do a general Google search for the Agent in question and see if they appear on an Actor's Profile somewhere. You can also use this approach to find out what is being said about the agent. Take all that you read with a grain of salt however as you will have people with grudges and fanatics that may muddy the water a little.

At the end of the day, there is nothing better than talking to people you can see and hopefully trust. Look within your local community of performers and find out whom they are with, what they think, and so forth. Anonymous comments by faceless minions may not provide the advice you seek.

As for headshots, have you ever thought of going to a Photographic School and offering yourself as a subject in exchange for a portfolio?

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins

Looking for an Agent? Read this first!!

FranklintThu, 29 Sept 2011, 09:45 am

Hi Jeff, Thanks very much

Hi Jeff, Thanks very much for your comment. With the extra information about agents, I decided to actually take the time to look through the Equity list and make contact with some of the agencies. I've started with the ones with professional-looking websites, so hopefully I'll find one that I'm happy with. Great idea as per headshots - I'll look around for some schools who could use extra "models" (I use this word in its most liberal sense :P). Cheers, Will

Walter PlingeTue, 6 Dec 2011, 08:30 pm

Hi guys, An update: I

Hi guys, An update: I auditioned with Triple Talent, who said that they'd be excited to represent me. However, I discovered that they charge an up-front fee of $150 per year, as well as requiring Showcast and other online profiles, all of which adds up to about $450 per year. This seems contrary to the agents page on this site, although they are listed on the Equity list. I'm fairly sure I'll turn down the offer, as I can't justify spending that much per year on a company that is supposed to find me work, but I'm just wondering whether this is considered standard. My singing teacher claims it is, and that she pays $150 per year for administration fees, on top of her agent's cut from performances. Is it worth pursuing? Cheers, Will

LabrugTue, 6 Dec 2011, 09:37 pm

For myself

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

Walter PlingeWed, 14 Dec 2011, 07:52 am

Interesting

Thanks again, Jeff, some insightful information. The agent has now said that they will only take the $150 out of whatever jobs I get, which sounds more aligned with the commission idea. They're still requiring that I pay for Showcast and AT2, but I'm not opposed to the idea to trialing both services for a year, to see what comes of it. They'd also like me to pay for a cheap photoshoot, which sounds reasonable. Unless anyone sees something wrong with this scheme, I think I'll go ahead and tell them I'm interested. Thanks! Cheers, Will

LabrugWed, 14 Dec 2011, 09:24 am

Dependant

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

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