Problem with agents

[Livy2]

What would you say would be the most likely reason for wanting to change Agents / Drama School? We have been with our nearly 10 years but after a difficult discussion last night and DD in floods of tears after being told off in front of the group by the director of the agency, we now are considering our options. Apparently after we left last night the rest of the group were told off too and 3 other girls were upset (and they are teenagers, not babies).

(a) Do nothing and hope time and space will resolve the problem

(b) Find another drama school but then we need to find another agent

(c) any other suggestions ? Feel like it's been a pretty bad week.

We have to stay with them until July but then we can change. Only it seems unfair on the younger DD to have to change schools as a result.

[Jeanie]

Livy

Is there any chance that the director will back track and apologise? Or did he/she have a valid reason to "lose it" with the teenagers? There's no excuse for upsetting people but some times "creative types" are prone to tantrums and you shouldn't take it personally (though admittingly, it is hard not to).

If you like the school and think the director was being a bit of a (forgive me PG and others) "luvvie", then option (a) may resolve the problem.

If your DD has outgrown the school and there are personality clashes then you could look for another school with an agency attached.

Are the girls in full time or part time drama school? If former, perhaps more difficult to leave?

From what I've read it's hard for teenagers to get work so perhaps best to concentrate on improving singing or dance where there are lots of opportunites to perform?

I think you should sit down with both DDs and do the pros and cons list. Good luck!

[Flosmom]

I think you might feel better if you had some choices.

Why not apply to some agencies that aren't linked to schools to see whether they would like to represent your DD? If you have offers of representation from elsewhere you can decide whether you want to stay or go knowing that you've got somewhere to go to. If you don't get any offers, then your choices are different.

Of course, your decision whether to move or not will depend on whether DD is getting lots of amazing work through her current agent. It's much easier to suck it up and stay put if you are getting lots out of the arrangement.

But I agree that step 1 should be to have a reasoned and grown up conversation with the grown ups who did the telling off and find out what happened from their point of view, explain the impact on your DD (others can speak for themselves if they want to) and agree a way forward. A one-off, unfortunate moment shouldn't necessarily be the end of the relationship, but you may need to define some boundaries.

From your DDs point of view, if she wants to work in performing arts, she is going to come across some tantrums from time to time and may well be on the receiving end of them. So she can use this experience to develop her coping strategies, including having a safe place to go and shed some tears.

Hope she is feeling better now - and you too. Good luck, whatever you decide to do.

Deb x

[siohip]

Hi don't we all hate this scenario.
I think you cannot look at a situation in isolation. if you have been entirely happy and this relationship has been a productive and constructive one in the past then surely a cage rattling hissy fit however unpleasant can be resolved and the reasons for same explored.
If it has been negative for some time- then looking at other agencies- or other schools with associated agencies that my meet requirements may be the way forward. 10 years is a long time- but change however daunting can be positive if indeed it is what is needed. Good luck.