WHICH AGENCY?

[triple threat]

I'm really at quite a loss to what agency I should choose and how I know if it's any good because don't know all that much about agency stuff. Anyway we need one for films and tv serving and also musical theatre type stuff and for a 12/13 yr old.
Does have experience though so we don't want one for ameuteres.
Some suggestions be lovely! Thanks NAPM!!

[pg]

This question keeps coming up, triplethreat and the answers are always the same I'm afraid. What suits one actor won't necessarily suit another. Recommendations are fraught with difficulties.

Here's my advice for narrowing down the field:

1. Choose an agent that charges no up front fees. Up front/registration fees are illegal. It is much easier for a dodgy agent to make money from illegal representation fees than it is to make money from commission on work - that's why agencies that charge fees are easy to find and easy to be taken on by - it doesn't mean they're any good. Don't get conned by being asked to pay for a portfolio either.

2. Be wary of agents who will take on your child without meeting them/auditioning them or seeing them in something. The best agents are very choosy.

3. Be wary of signing with an agent that has hundreds and hundreds of clients. You want an agent that knows what you can do and can promote you properly.

Amateurs don't generally have agency representation. Agencies only take people on if they think they will make money from commission on the work they get. Amateur theatre doesn't pay.

There is not much work around (and the profession is very London centric) so make sure you are being realistic in your aims. Take a look at a week's worth of TV and look at what is on in the West End and your local theatres and consider how much professional paid work is out there for someone of your daughter's age and look. Now think about the thousands (and there are thousands) of people wanting those jobs. Now consider whether agents need to take on someone like your daughter. You do need to look at it from the agent's point of view rather than your daughter's to some extent because the agent is the one who will say yes or no to representing her.

Most agents will deal with all kinds of work (TV/Film/Stage/Commercials) though some do specialise in one area more than others. Modelling type agencies with large numbers on their books are likely to concentrate on the commercial side. You would need to ask the agent at the meeting (if you are invited to one) about the sort of work your daughter might be suitable for.

If I were you, I would just apply to a few of the agencies that get mentioned on this site to start with (providing there are no up front fees and no horror stories attached) and see what kind of response you get. If you are invited to meetings then you can go armed with a list of questions for the agency and see what you think of them.

[triple threat]

Thanks pg! That really helps me. I didn't know it was illegal to charge upfront fee previously! There's something you learn everyday right!?

[yummymummy31]

Hi, ohh it can be very confusing, I thought it was as easy as pick an agency and bingo you will get a call when a job comes up for them.
I would recommend calling UKMM Agency, I rarely recommend things as everyone has their own taste and requirements but after getting stung by a company claiming they were an agency, these people were suprisingly really really helpful. As my youngest is under 1 they were unable to take her on but opened my eyes to so much and I will prob just wait until she is one then reapply to them.

[francescasmum]

I'm a little confused by this thread. Have you already been accepted by several agencies and are now in the lucky position of having to choose which one to take up, or are you wondering which ones to apply to?

[pg]

Hi yummiemummy and welcome to NAPM. I'm always interested to see what prompts someone to make their first post on the site

In what way were the people at the agency so helpful?

The website for this agency appears to have expired in any case, but from what I could see on google it is a model agency, not an acting agency so might not be quite what triplethreat needs. Do they make any charges, do you know?

I found this when I was looking them up too and thought the answer from the poster Kittysue was very helpful for anyone looking to sign with an agency
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index ... 922AAbXWrb

I'm also a bit surprised that an agency would choose a name so similar to one that has been exposed as a scam - but, being charitable instead of cynical for once, perhaps that's why they have allowed the domain name to lapse...

[triple threat]

I'm a little confused by this thread. Have you already been accepted by several agencies and are now in the lucky position of having to choose which one to take up, or are you wondering which ones to apply to?

Yes, I'm sad to say that I'm not in that lucky position. I am wondering which ones to apply to. I guess I should apply to more than one?

[Welsh Mum]

Hi yummiemummy and welcome to NAPM. I'm always interested to see what prompts someone to make their first post on the site

In what way were the people at the agency so helpful?

The website for this agency appears to have expired in any case, but from what I could see on google it is a model agency, not an acting agency so might not be quite what triplethreat needs. Do they make any charges, do you know?

I found this when I was looking them up too and thought the answer from the poster Kittysue was very helpful for anyone looking to sign with an agency
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index ... 922AAbXWrb

I'm also a bit surprised that an agency would choose a name so similar to one that has been exposed as a scam - but, being charitable instead of cynical for once, perhaps that's why they have allowed the domain name to lapse...

Have you ever thought about re-training as a detective ??

[pg]

Welshmum: I'd probably get more work

Hi triple threat. Yes I think it makes sense to send your dd's details to several agents. Good agents are inundated with applications and don't take on everyone who applies. The market place is very crowded with people of all ages who want to act and there are nowhere near enough jobs to go round.

[emi's mum]

I have thought long and hard about jumping in on this thread. I have had several experiences of agencies with my DD who is now represented wonderfully by an agent who looks after her very well. Previously the usual childrens agencies although didn't charge to be on their books had many hidden charges such as yearly photographic updates which had to be done at enormous cost in their studios rather than with a photographer of choice, plus additional showreels (which in my view were quite useless to CDs) There were few availability checks and even fewer castings until we moved agents and within 2 weeks of signing with the new agent she had been seen and consequently cast in a great job which previously her old agents didn't put her up for. There was also no dialogue with the old agency and you were only allowed to email them to communicate and only at certain times of the day. Really not at all what you need. It was all a real learning curve and very different from my own experiences with an agent as an adult performer.
Now the reason I have thought long and hard as I didn't want to come across in the wrong way.....I have recently gone into business with an established school in the SE and we have established Mad Fish Management representing children and young performers in theatre, film and TV. We are not enormous and we are still developing contacts and establishing our reputation. I should add that my own background is as a trained performer having worked in theatre and TV before calling it a day in 2006 when my daughter was very small. We work through Spotlight and direct with Jessica Ronane and Jo Hawes (who also hold many open auditions you can access without an agent) as well as the ROH. We charge no fees to register, no fees to be on our website, no specific photographer (although we do have a photographer who holds sessions for us for £25 for headshots if preferred). We do however ask that all clients are on Spotlight which has an annual fee. We do audition for the books and have a workshop audition on March 10th with an industry professional to help us assess the children but can arrange other dates to be seen at our studios for those who cannot attend the workshop. Unfortunately we cannot take anyone on to the books without a meeting/audition. Please do have a look at us if you like http://www.madfishmanagement.com/
Really not attempting to draw anyone in with this.....just putting it out there so you can have a look and see if we fit the bill for you. I just want to help if I can.
I have been a member on here for some time now and have posted a fair amount as a Mum which I hope many other members can vouch for.

[triple threat]

I have thought long and hard about jumping in on this thread. I have had several experiences of agencies with my DD who is now represented wonderfully by an agent who looks after her very well. Previously the usual childrens agencies although didn't charge to be on their books had many hidden charges such as yearly photographic updates which had to be done at enormous cost in their studios rather than with a photographer of choice, plus additional showreels (which in my view were quite useless to CDs) There were few availability checks and even fewer castings until we moved agents and within 2 weeks of signing with the new agent she had been seen and consequently cast in a great job which previously her old agents didn't put her up for. There was also no dialogue with the old agency and you were only allowed to email them to communicate and only at certain times of the day. Really not at all what you need. It was all a real learning curve and very different from my own experiences with an agent as an adult performer.
Now the reason I have thought long and hard as I didn't want to come across in the wrong way.....I have recently gone into business with an established school in the SE and we have established Mad Fish Management representing children and young performers in theatre, film and TV. We are not enormous and we are still developing contacts and establishing our reputation. I should add that my own background is as a trained performer having worked in theatre and TV before calling it a day in 2006 when my daughter was very small. We work through Spotlight and direct with Jessica Ronane and Jo Hawes (who also hold many open auditions you can access without an agent) as well as the ROH. We charge no fees to register, no fees to be on our website, no specific photographer (although we do have a photographer who holds sessions for us for £25 for headshots if preferred). We do however ask that all clients are on Spotlight which has an annual fee. We do audition for the books and have a workshop audition on March 10th with an industry professional to help us assess the children but can arrange other dates to be seen at our studios for those who cannot attend the workshop. Unfortunately we cannot take anyone on to the books without a meeting/audition. Please do have a look at us if you like http://www.madfishmanagement.com/
Really not attempting to draw anyone in with this.....just putting it out there so you can have a look and see if we fit the bill for you. I just want to help if I can.
I have been a member on here for some time now and have posted a fair amount as a Mum which I hope many other members can vouch for.

Thanks for the info so would being on spotlight mean the client has to pay the yearly fee or the agency? How much would it cost? I looked at your website and it seem really good though!

[francescasmum]

just out of interest how can a 4 year old be fully trained?

[triple threat]

just out of interest how can a 4 year old be fully trained?

I think that fully trained for a 4year old is definitely different to a fully trained 12 year old. It really means that the child has had maybe some modelling/'acting' job or volunteering experience and you can also go to classes or tasters of infant acting/modelling etc, lessons. Hope this helps

[pg]

triplethreat - it will always be the client and not the agent who pays the Spotlight fee. An adult actor would pay Spotlight direct - I'm not sure about children's agencies.

just out of interest how can a 4 year old be fully trained?

Funnily enough, I wondered that too ! I wonder whether that's a phrase the agency might rethink.

It does sound like an agency run along the right lines though doesn't it ?

No fees, won't take you on without meeting you, no obligatory links with expensive photographers - three cheers for all of those!

[emi's mum]

triplethreat - it will always be the client and not the agent who pays the Spotlight fee. An adult actor would pay Spotlight direct - I'm not sure about children's agencies.

just out of interest how can a 4 year old be fully trained?

Funnily enough, I wondered that too ! I wonder whether that's a phrase the agency might rethink.

It does sound like an agency run along the right lines though doesn't it ?

No fees, won't take you on without meeting you, no obligatory links with expensive photographers - three cheers for all of those!

Thanks PG.....fees charged by agencies are a huge bugbear for me along with the hidden fees of photography etc etc. Also I don't know how an agent could take on a child or put them up for the right sort of work without having seen what they can do. All hurdles I came across myself when seeking an agent for my own child.
Not sure what the reference to a fully trained 4 year old is? Not a phrase we have used and I'm not sure where that one has come from. Any feedback on the website that we can improve on is warmly welcomed.
Also yes as PG said the Spotlight fee is paid by the client not the agent. The annual fee for children and young performers is £90.