Changing agent

[stuffnnonsense]

Did any of your ds/dds start off with a smaller agency and then get either poached by a bigger one or did you approach a bigger one once you felt that was appropriate, ie: once their career had progressed?

[Irishdancer]

my oldest ds started of with Syliva Youngs got a lot of work but in the end changed him to a smaller agent big agents like SY have a lot of people on there books, so some times going to a biger agent is not that good a idea, as they might have a few people that look like you where smaller agent you will be the only one, that is if you are talking about child agents with adults they will not with take on any one like you as its hard enough going up against other actors but much worse if you are compeating with other people from your own agency

[stuffnnonsense]

Thanks Irishdancer, that's really interesting. We are quite new to this and I'm just trying to work out whether to stick with small friendly agency or whether to pursue a bigger better known one - what are the advantages of each? And would a bigger agent ever approach us (after seeing child in something for instance) and if so how does that happen?? Or how does one approach a bigger agent if you are already represented - I'm asking what the etiquette is I suppose!.. lots of questions I know.. any more advice would be gratefully received!

[Irishdancer]

I think you would have to apply your self dont think big agencys come to you. You would have to audition to get in prob do a work shop. Agents would get cross if bigger agents tryed to get one of there best clints to join then dont think its the done thing . Even though youngest ds has a very good cv for his age he still had to audition to get into his next agent

[stuffnnonsense]

Again, thanks Irishdancer! So your DS auditioned for one agency while still with another - so that's not a real no-no then..
I just didn't know if these things were done in confidence or whether agents talk to one another, so your current agent might get wind of the fact your child was auditioning elsewhere for a new agent before you were happy for them to know that - if that makes sense.

[Irishdancer]

People change agents all the time agent would not tell another agent if you where looking else where so dont think you would have to worry about that if yor child is getting work with the agent they are with then why change. We moved 2 times because ds was not getting the auditions I knew where about. Have a great agent now get to go to really great drama auditions. Both agents ds where with before this one where good agents got ther clints work was with them both one 5 years the other 4 years but some times when you move new agent looks at child in a differnt light. But it takes a some time to get work when ds changed with both agents took a few month before he got work so if your agent is getting you good work drama and adverts then might be best to stay with them only changed because I know there where auditions for ds age but he was not getting to go to them now he dose.

[stuffnnonsense]

Thanks very much irishdancer...it may be we don't do anything about it... I guess it may well be a case of it's not broke don't fix it..and this current dissatisfaction with agent is hopefully just a blip....

[geordiegirl]

when we were looking for an agent to represent DS, we were advised (by several people in the business) not to go with an exclusive childrens agency...so we didnt. DS is the only kid on his agent`s books and she represents many big name adult actors. She has been wonderful and DS has had some great auditions and jobs

[titania]

The big agents do make approaches but usually only if you have had a major part or you get an introduction often from someone you have worked with. However unless they are experienced with children it may not be right to change simply because you become a small fish in a big pond. In their favour they do hear of jobs before they go out on general casting and they do command higher fees for the child. If you are not lucky however and pick up another major role you do miss out on the more regular jobbing parts because they tend not to submit your child for other than main roles. It can work really well and give the child a head start onto adult representation but it can fail just like any relationship with an agent for all the usual reasons.

I know successes and failures when moving to the larger adult agencies but that is normal in any relationship and everones expereinces are different.

If you are getting a personal service and being seen for whats around then it may just be a quiet time for that age group/ gender etc...

[stuffnnonsense]

Thanks so much everyone. It's not so much lack of auditions but a lack of communication in general. Obviously I don't know if that would be any better with a bigger agency - is it fair to expect feedback after recalls etc? As I say we are new to this so maybe my expectations are too high!

[titania]

After a recall yes it would be fair but not always possible. Who are you with PM me if you prefer.

[stuffnnonsense]

PM doesn't seem to want to leave my outbox!