agent

[topgirl]

My question is similar to that of the one below. Can you swap agents if your already with one. The problem is my dd has had some work of her agent but only after 18 months of nothing and I think she was very lucky to get the work she has had it was really high profile but wont mention it on here. The thing is there is a possibility of more work coming from this but we wont find out till the end of the year. If we move agents then where will this leave us as the original contract for the first lot of work was with this agent. The reason we want to move agents is I feel there will be more opportunities if we move to an agent further south where most of the work tends to be. Also where do you stand with spotlight if ur current agent is down with them.

[cops22]

Spotlight is easy you just change the agent details....

We have had a similar issue with an outsanding job that may or may not happen ( if an animated series gets picked up there are 50 more episodes to record, it was taken to Cannes in May so we are keeping our fingers very tightly crossed) I spoke to both agents about it before we made the decision to move so that it was clear from the beginning. The commission will go to old agent not new but I do think this depends on the agents involved as I know a couple of people have said that they have had to pay 2 lots of commission in similar circumstances!!!!!

I would def discuss this with your new agency first so it is very clear, also let old agent know that even though you are moving you will of course honour their contract etc etc.... even though they will of course take their commission anyway, I think it's just courteous and they will hopefully appreciate you being open about things.

Also check your contract as with some agencies you have to give notice and they can take commission on any work during a certain period after you've left even if they didn't get it for you!!!!!!!
When we moved we wre lucky enough not to have to give notice and no issues over work etc etc but I have heard of some nightmare scenarios so read your fine print carefully.
good luck

[topgirl]

thanks for that to be honest I dont ever remember sigining a contract, the agent hadnt even met my dd until she got the first casting. I remember her sending me some forms last yr which I ignored cos I was going to leave her until my dd got this job. Im going to give her the benefit of the doubt for now and see how many castings she gets offered, the agent reckons once the previous job she was in comes out then work will fly at my dd but im not so sure. Its really hard to know what to do, other people my daughter was working with had casting lined up, as were pretty new to this im not sure how regular castings should be any advice on this would be appreciated.

[daisymay2000]

sounds like we are in a similar situation. My main worry is how do you approach new agencies, do you actually tell them you are looking to change representation or not and at what point do you let your existing agent know? eg I dont want to leave with no-where lined up to go.

[sapphire]

When DD changed agent last year, although she didn;t specifically tell them she already had representation, they were aware that she was already signed with an agency as she had forwarded her Spotlight pin etc when she applied. They also discussed why she wanted to change agencies during the audition/interview. For DD, this was a bit easier to explain as she was reaching the top age range represented by the current agent. Once she had a verbal agreement from the new agent, she asked to leave the old agent - she didn't have a notice period and no ongoing work so a clean break was possible

[daisymay2000]

Hi Sapphire, out of interest when you applied to new agencies did you just say in the covering letter you were looking for representation, rather than saying looking to change representation etc? thanks

[sapphire]

To be honest, I can't remember exactly, but I am pretty sure she may actually have said something along the lines of "currently represented by XXX, but seeking new representation and was interested in your agency because ..."

If you are answering a currently seeking type advert, I don't see why you necessarily have to state upfront that you already have representation, just that you would like to be considered for representation ...

[topgirl]

So shall I presume that is normal for an agent to me the client before they take them on. My dds agent does not do this and seems to take anyone on who wants representing. I must admit I found this a bit strange as how do you know what your getting unless you meet them.

[Irishdancer]

All good agents will want to meet people before they take them on would not trust a agent who did not want to see my ds. When we have changed agents with both dc who both have very good CV agents wanted to see them. Parents and adults can not be trusted to send in up to date photo, first think Agent said when we meet them was oh good he looks just like his photo it's surprising how many send in photos that look nothing like them Selfs. How can agent know a clint if they have not meet them.