New Agent

[pleasingdance1]

Have finally come to the conclusion that my daughters agency were only too happy and quick to take our money but not quite so keen on providing any casting details of any kind. All the work my dd has so far achieved we have found ourself.
I am therefore looking for a reputable agency in the London area and would be most grateful of any suggestions. Most of the ones advertised on the web seem to deal mainly with modelling she is looking for more the acting side.

Many thanks

[sapphire]

Can't help specifically, although I have heard good things about Abacus.

We are in a similar situation and looking for suggestions for good agencies in or around Manchester ... any recommendations or ones to avoid?

[GypsyMumNot!]

London area - CS Management; A&J; Abacus; Mark Jermin spring to mind immediately, but in the end it comes down to age/look of child and how many are in same age range & have the same look on their books already. None of these charge tho except for entry into Spotlight, which is pretty standard for all agents.

Manchester - sorry can't help on that one, but I'll bet someone on here can!

[pg]

I've heard positive things about Abacus too. But it's a tricky area to advise on in a general way, because what suits one won't necessarily suit another (and agents are unlikely to take on lots of similar clients).

The most straightforward and obvious advice is what not to do! Don't join an acting agency willing to take you on without meeting you and preferably auditioning you or seeing you perform (they need to assess your talents and see what you might be suitable for). Don't join an acting agency that charges up front fees. Don't join an acting agency where you don't feel you can ask legitimate questions about your/your child's career.

There are good agencies around, but not everyone has the same experience within the same agency, so recommendations are not the complete answer. For some people, finding the best agency for them may have to be done the long way round:

Get hold of a copy of "Contacts", published by Spotlight, available from Spotlight website but also available from larger bookshops and second-hand copies available cheaply on Amazon. There are literally hundreds of agents listed (though fewer in the children's category). Depending on the age of the performer: look at all the children's agencies (or consider adult agencies) and mark off those you are interested in,whether this is dictated by geography or something else. Remember that an entry in Spotlight is NOT a guarantee that they are a briliant agency. If they have a website, look at what it says about applying for representation. If they don't have a website, phone them up and ask them whether they are taking on clients and, if they are, what they would like to see in order for you/your child to be considered. Ask them what sort of work they do ( so that you can discount those that concentrate on modelling jobs). Remember to ask who the letter/CV etc should be addressed to. If you are invited in for a meeting, make a list of questions you would like answered and don't be afraid to ask them! As long as you ask in a pleasant way, this will not put anyone off the idea of representing you. You might want to know how long they have been running, how many agents there are within the agency, how many clients they have, what happens to clients who "outgrow" the agency, who else they represent, which castng directors they hear from regularly, how they prefer to contact their clients, whether they let you know what you have been submitted for, what sort of work they think you/your child might be considered for etc . My agent doesn't tell me what she has submitted me for unless I ask her, so this isn't automatic - I just trust her to submit me for anything she thinks I might be suitable for and if I come across a brilliant opportunity I just email her and check whether she's seen it (she usually has) or let her know if I've applied for something myself.

If it doesn't seem right to you, then it probably isn't. There are dodgy agencies around. Don't sign anything on the spot (most decent agents don't have complicated contracts - if there is one, be circumspect and definitely don't sign it at the meeting - most just have a letter of agreement setting out commission rates etc). If you're offered representation you might want to contact Equity and/or Spotlight to check that they haven't heard anything untoward about the agency.

Ask about specific agencies on this forum! You may find people know something about them. As long as you are not parting with money, and not signing up to a long contract period, you won't have much to lose by trying out a new agency, providing you feel "good" about the meeting and (vitally) you feel that you will be able to communicate with them if you need to.

Having said all that, most agents are actually spoiled for choice and the good ones are very choosy about who they take on so acceptance is certainly not guaranteed. There have been a couple of agencies mentioning open books/taking on younger performers on this site recently so it might be worth investigating those. Good luck!

[sapphire]

Thanks for that great advice pg! Much appreciated

[pleasingdance1]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Will the ones mentioned and see how we get on there.

[sapphire]

If anyone has any info/feedback on Tuesdays Child, Chilli Kids, Janet Howe or Stirling Management could you please pm me. Thanks

[pleasingdance1]

Chili Kids accepted my ds but not my dd based only on photos. We decided against it as they didn't even want to meet him and we would prefer to have them both under the same agent.

Have just been in contact with Mark Jermin and both kids got interview next week

[sapphire]

That's great ... did you e-mail or just phone up? Good luck!