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Brand new agency help please?

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 9:32 am
by Moosmum
Hi, my DD has been offered representation by a brand new company starting up who's owner is a casting director. They will be a boutique agency but have stated they don't need to meet her as videos are enough for them,however are happy to do a Skype call? I was told to avoid ones that don't meet you first?
There are no fees and a year contract,any thoughts please?
Many thanks,
K x

Re: Brand new agency help please?

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 10:26 am
by ACookie
I think it's hard for anyone to give advice about an unknown quantity. To a certain extent it's going to be down to your gut feeling. Do as much research about the agent as you can, for example can you find out how respected they are in the casting world? I would personally want to meet them, as I think you find out more from a face to face meeting - not necessarily in terms of them auditioning your DD but more from the communication side. They need to be someone you find approachable and they need to understand what is and why isn't going to work for your family. We went with a new agency this year and couldn't be happier, especially coming from a huge one with little personal interest in each child. With smaller numbers of children they all get her focus and she really knows what is going to work for them and us as parents. There are no unreasonable demands on travel at late notice for 5 min castings and my daughter was able to discuss with her want she was really interested in achieving. She will also work alongside with her drama teacher and has a dialogue regarding castings and what my DD should be working on. What I'm trying to say is that just because it's a new agency it doesn't mean it can't be good! But I'd push for a face to face meeting it may put your mind at rest or at least help you make a decision.

Re: Brand new agency help please?

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 11:10 am
by Moosmum
Yes I think you are right, it's the face to face that is putting me off abit,she did say we could meet if we prefer or we can do a Skype call if it's easier for us being northern based. The lady was very nice,seemed to know a lot and was very honest. I'm tempted to try them out as is only a year and this will be our first agency so I feel we should give them a whirl with us not losing out on fees etc. I have googled endlessly and the casting director seems to have a lot of connections,I'm going to ask about a get out clause though incase all goes wrong! Thanks for the input, we have had auditions for a few agents now,both workshop and one on one,and to be honest I felt I would be selling her soul to the devil! We are so new to this that I'm thinking a fresh new agency might be just what we need.

Re: Brand new agency help please?

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 11:41 am
by tracie
Did you say you would have to have a years contract with them??? if so then that would be a defo no no for me. Good agencies don't ask for contracts. Do lots of research. Good luck

Re: Brand new agency help please?

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 11:59 am
by Moosmum
Yes,every agency I have had meetings with expect a years contract, I think however there are get out clauses if you want to leave earlier. Even the more well known agencies wanted us to sign for a year x

Re: Brand new agency help please?

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 12:06 pm
by tracie
We were with one agency which was huge and we had a contract and it was a nightmare. We are with a wonderful agency now who don't have any contracts and its so much nicer. I have heard that Bonnie and Betty don't have contracts either. I guess some do and some don't.

Re: Brand new agency help please?

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 12:25 pm
by Moosmum
Gosh it's such a minefield!! So confused haha!

Re: Brand new agency help please?

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 5:40 pm
by Moosmum
Had a call from EKA eurokids saying they were pleased with her and they would send further instructions via email...got said email saying she was accepted and to attend a photoshoot where they would get to know her etc etc...I'm totally baffled!! Surely they don't just sign them up without even a video submission?! Any reviews on them at all? Can't find much on the threads x

Re: Brand new agency help please?

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 6:03 pm
by tracie
Again that is something I would run from. Purple Giraffe for instance want to see what your child can do via a self tape. If they like then they call you. That to me is the norm. Seriously have a word with Louise at PG she will help you and advice you.

Re: Brand new agency help please?

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 6:37 pm
by Moosmum
My thoughts exactly! I have left a massive voicemail stating I won't be signing anything as I have so many questions to ask!x

Re: Brand new agency help please?

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2017 11:20 am
by paulears
If they don't know what their clients can do, how can they put them forward to casting directors in any meaningful way? Contracts will apply in most agencies because if they put effort into promoting people, they won't want them getting work direct, or through somebody else.

Other agencies are chancers. I just discovered my photo and biog being pushed by an agent I personally don't know - and they are selling our band with a totally different name! So if somebody books this band through them, they get us!

Re: Brand new agency help please?

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2017 11:49 am
by Moosmum
My thoughts exactly! Had an email from purple giraffe wanting to speak with me regarding DDs videos too so going to see what happens there too,they are relatively new but seem to have made a good impression within the industry already. Plus they are northern based which would be easier for us. I loved the sound of the brand new one when I spoke to the lady so I'm willing to do a Skype call too to get more of a feel for them,however with them being so new it would be a total risk signing with them x

Re: Brand new agency help please?

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2017 12:55 pm
by jpsreb
would you mind telling me the name of the new agency, we are north and looking for agencies, private message if you like? which others did you look at if you dont mind?thanks

Re: Brand new agency help please?

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2017 1:13 pm
by Moosmum
Hi the brand new one is London based but represent all over the uk,they are called 34 management and are literally starting from scratch at the minute. We also auditioned with top talent who have loads of kids on their books,like 100s! We had a meeting with A&J who are also London based and they said she deffo had something but wasn't quite right for them at the min,I have a feeling the fact we have a slight northern accent and couldn't quite pull off RP yet may have had a say in the deciding factor. North wise we applied to Eurokids (EKA) and got a yes without them even seeing a video so that put red flags up straight away! There are also the likes of ology who we have a workshop with in a couple of weeks but they seem to be huge too, Amber who tend to take on already known talent, Ora, Piccadilly....to be honest it's all new and baffling to me! The more known ones we have met I have had reservations about for various reasons so I guess you have to go on gut instinct. There is also scream but heard the admin isn't so good. They also have a huge amount of kids on their books :) hope that helps abit. Feel free to PM me if you want more info :) x

Re: Brand new agency help please?

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2017 8:28 pm
by jpsreb
hi, hanks so much, yep recognise most of those name during our search! I cant see anything about the new agency by searching online, do they not have a website yet?