Panda - Thank you, I know I'm biased because I'm her mum but she is adorable so I have been sat here thinking why on earth is she never picked, the not knowing the reason for her not getting auditions is really tough, like I said is it the distance from London, her looks, her age, her lack of experience. If like you said a CD is asking for 6 kids to be submitted and her agent has over 100 who fit the brief how do they narrow it down to 6, is it random selection? kids with lots of experience? how do you choose only a few from so many. I think she probably can pass for younger with her looks but not sure about her height, she doesn't seem tiny for her age, she's not the smallest in her class but not the tallest either. It will be intersting to see how she grows because I'm only 4ft 11 but my husband is 6ft 2 so she could end up being tiny like me, average or maybe even a little bit above average.
aspiringactress - I think we were so overwhelmed with excitement when DD was accepted by her agent we didn't stop and question whether they were right for her/us. I did a little google about them to make sure they were a genuine agent and saw mixed reviews which I guess any agent will have. I didn't come across this place until it was too late, if I'd known about this place back then I would have applied to more then 3 agents and waited to see if any others accepted and compared them etc.
I do agree with you on the not knowing every child part, in a recent article I read they have around 900 kids on their books, how could you possibly know kids well enough if you have so many. I don't know how suited she was for the roles she auditioned for, one was for a disney ad which from the sheer volume of kids going seemed like they saw everyone from everywhere. The other was for a bbc drama in which she'd play a middle eastern child which I don't think looks wise she really suits (there was a very big mix of kids for that too ranging from quite pale with dark hair to very dark skinned). The 2 self tapes again one was for disney and one was for a voiceover but that wasn't specific to DD it was a case of anyone X age email in your self tapes. I know they are not scam artists but I do think we need to move on as they are not right for us, I don't like the ups and downs with them where one minute they seem really friendly and the next they are complaining about parents.
Flosmom - I am looking but as I said it seems alot of agents books are closed at the moment, I've sent some info to a couple who are open and I've been contacted by a smaller agency who seem lovely so I'll wait and see. Definately no return on investment, so far we've easily given her agent over £400 in signup fees, photos, "extras" etc and only had 2 auditions, I know they can't guarantee anything but I don't know that seems a bit poor to me, particularly as we paid to be in another section of their agency that has very few kids (so "elite only") hoping it would help but not a sausage. I haven't heard back from the adoption video people so that's maybe a no, but hey never know it closed for submissions end of August and here we are in November and they are only just contacting us, so keeping everything crossed lol.
Dwafffamily - I've had a look at most of those agents (and more) but it does seem to be the wrong time of year for changing agents, alot of them are not open until Jan/Feb, some not until June! Thank you though it's very much appreciated (hadn't thought of SY or abacus) x
Can I just say thank you once again to all of you for your support, this place if fabulous! xx
Advice about starnow/agent problem
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riverdancefan
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Re: Advice about starnow/agent problem
Yes she is a beautiful and cute little girl!!! And there should be more opportunities
I was sucked in by the showreels. The dancereels, the look book, the voice reels, the gold package the platinum package. The photo shoots that last 3 mins.....we bankrupted ourselves.
Believe me all this is not necessary, it's a money making opportunity only and it was only when we moved on to pastures new I realised how much I had been paying out and felt obliged to do so in case DS was disadvantaged..
I am sure she will find new representation and no, you won't be jumping out of the frying pan into the fire .... It's just there is so much out there...
DS had some great opportunities but it's a good thing my DH was on the ball where payment was concerned as one of their invoices was missing over £400 and it took the client ( a supermarket ) to notice it and communicate directly with me about it ....
I was sucked in by the showreels. The dancereels, the look book, the voice reels, the gold package the platinum package. The photo shoots that last 3 mins.....we bankrupted ourselves.
Believe me all this is not necessary, it's a money making opportunity only and it was only when we moved on to pastures new I realised how much I had been paying out and felt obliged to do so in case DS was disadvantaged..
I am sure she will find new representation and no, you won't be jumping out of the frying pan into the fire .... It's just there is so much out there...
DS had some great opportunities but it's a good thing my DH was on the ball where payment was concerned as one of their invoices was missing over £400 and it took the client ( a supermarket ) to notice it and communicate directly with me about it ....
"Tall and proud my mother taught me, this is how we dance" - RIVERDANCE
Re: Advice about starnow/agent problem
I know nothing at all about 1st Talent, but I saw on StarNow that they're holding auditions in London on 17 and 24 November. You can presumably apply via Starnow or on their website: http://www.1sttalent.co.uk/
I hope you find something that works better for you and your beautiful daughter.
I hope you find something that works better for you and your beautiful daughter.
Re: Advice about starnow/agent problem
riverdancefan - We totally got caught up in the feeling as if she was at a disadvantage if she didn't have this or that. We had hoped paying for the extras would help as I kept seeing messgaes about kids being booked direct from reels so got her a reel. Kept reading about kids being submitted on spotlight so had her put in spotlight. More recently it was bookings from voiceover reels and it was that feeling of OMG we have to get her a voiceover reel so she's not missing out. Thankfully didn't, my husband set me straight saying lets wait until her entry in their special section is up in June before we do anything else but by then she will have been with them 21 months.
TaylaB - Thank you for the link, I'm going to wait to hear from the more well known agencies, don't want to get stung again, if only I had been on here before signing DD up anyway onwards and upwards
TaylaB - Thank you for the link, I'm going to wait to hear from the more well known agencies, don't want to get stung again, if only I had been on here before signing DD up anyway onwards and upwards
Re: Advice about starnow/agent problem
Ouch! That's a lot of dosh!
Does it feel better is you treat the experience as a training course in how to select and work with agents? Sorry...clutching at straws to find a silver lining here.
Yes, Dwarffamily, you are absolutely right about the need to shop around. If only people realised that there are loads of kids agents and, assuming your DC is reasonably directable and suitably confident, it's a buyers market. If you can't get offers from them, then maybe you shouldn't be looking for an agent...sorry if that sounds harsh.
So I'm sorry I skipped over that bit. I kinda took it for granted that others were in the mix because of the comment about books being closed. I suppose I wanted to give an option for immediate positive action because Kazmama sounded stuck and a bit despondent and sometimes doing something is better than doing nothing and feeling sad.
I don't have any links with TT - my DDs aren't with them now - and other good agents are definitely available.
Hope this helps
Deb x
Does it feel better is you treat the experience as a training course in how to select and work with agents? Sorry...clutching at straws to find a silver lining here.
Yes, Dwarffamily, you are absolutely right about the need to shop around. If only people realised that there are loads of kids agents and, assuming your DC is reasonably directable and suitably confident, it's a buyers market. If you can't get offers from them, then maybe you shouldn't be looking for an agent...sorry if that sounds harsh.
So I'm sorry I skipped over that bit. I kinda took it for granted that others were in the mix because of the comment about books being closed. I suppose I wanted to give an option for immediate positive action because Kazmama sounded stuck and a bit despondent and sometimes doing something is better than doing nothing and feeling sad.
I don't have any links with TT - my DDs aren't with them now - and other good agents are definitely available.
Hope this helps
Deb x
Re: Advice about starnow/agent problem
At the time we signed up my husband was like HOW MUCH?! 
but then we both figured it was worth investing some money in her passion/future career and expected to have more auditions. So then we decided to pay for the 'elite' section figuring with it being a smaller selection she should hopefully get submitted more/get more auditions. Had the casting reel the same day, which we hoped would again help but so far hasn't, maybe even hindering her as it's not showing her at her best. We were waiting around for ages and by the time she started filming DD had a massive headache and was tired (she didn't tell me until later that night).
But yeah lesson learned and now I know what sort of thing to look out for what questions to ask and to get a good feel for an agency before signing up.
I really appreciate your posts flo, very helpful I did feel quite stuck but I've had 2 smaller agents approach me and with everyone's lovely advice I'm feeling alot less down about the whole situation 
but then we both figured it was worth investing some money in her passion/future career and expected to have more auditions. So then we decided to pay for the 'elite' section figuring with it being a smaller selection she should hopefully get submitted more/get more auditions. Had the casting reel the same day, which we hoped would again help but so far hasn't, maybe even hindering her as it's not showing her at her best. We were waiting around for ages and by the time she started filming DD had a massive headache and was tired (she didn't tell me until later that night).But yeah lesson learned and now I know what sort of thing to look out for what questions to ask and to get a good feel for an agency before signing up.
That's something that also made me jump in feet first with her agent, out of the 3 I submitted to they were the only ones to say yes so I thought maybe she didn't have the right looks or had enough experience to be with anyone else, you know when you wish you could go back and slap yourself and say no silly woman do not do it! lolFlosmom wrote: If you can't get offers from them, then maybe you shouldn't be looking for an agent...sorry if that sounds harsh.
I really appreciate your posts flo, very helpful
I did feel quite stuck but I've had 2 smaller agents approach me and with everyone's lovely advice I'm feeling alot less down about the whole situation Re: Advice about starnow/agent problem
Does anyone know much about CS management? I tried searching but it just says it's too common a phrase/ must be a minimum of 3 letters. They want me to phone up and arrange a meeting with them and they want DD to prepare an audition piece to perform, any ideas on what they will be looking for? I will ask when I call if it's specifically acting/singing/dancing they want or all 3 but any tips would be appreciated.
I'm going to ask a local stage school she has singing lessons at (not the one she attends regularly for dance/MT as I know they won't do it) to work with her on something / help her prepare a little too. I'm still waiting to hear back from a couple and I'm expecting a phone call from one but just want to keep our options open, hoping to get it right this time.
I'm going to ask a local stage school she has singing lessons at (not the one she attends regularly for dance/MT as I know they won't do it) to work with her on something / help her prepare a little too. I'm still waiting to hear back from a couple and I'm expecting a phone call from one but just want to keep our options open, hoping to get it right this time.
Re: Advice about starnow/agent problem
Not quite the same, but similar. I'm in a tribute band. We play pretty well anywhere, at home or abroad. The number of jobs we have gained through our own website has gone up, and the number of jobs through the agents gone down. We had an agent who wanted to represent us, but the fact that people could come direct to us for him, was bad news, so he wanted us to take down the web site. Of course the agent wishes to be in the loop to get their commission, so it's understandable, but you have to look at exposure in general. You need to look at how easy it is for potential clients to find you, and make contact. Agencies now have too many people on the books for the number of jobs coming in. We got a booking from Formula 1 to play at a far off, hot country, and they told us Google got us the job - they found the website, they found videos and photos on Facebook, YouTube and Vimeo, and that worked better than anything the agent could have done for us. One agent we occasionally get work from actually markets us under a totally different name - he thinks this is how to do it, so he can be 'unique'.
I have one agency who give me work individually, while I also am on the books of another who have never, ever got me one job! Everyone seems to think having an agent is like having an Equity card, or having an American Express card - as in the 'having' is more important than what you do with it, and I even know one friend was with a very big and prestigious agency, but he was not on the same level as many of their premiere clients. He switched to a smaller agency, with less 'names' on the books, and the work started to roll in, and now he's always busy, yet his work with the famous agency was very sparse, but perhaps looked better on paper!
I have one agency who give me work individually, while I also am on the books of another who have never, ever got me one job! Everyone seems to think having an agent is like having an Equity card, or having an American Express card - as in the 'having' is more important than what you do with it, and I even know one friend was with a very big and prestigious agency, but he was not on the same level as many of their premiere clients. He switched to a smaller agency, with less 'names' on the books, and the work started to roll in, and now he's always busy, yet his work with the famous agency was very sparse, but perhaps looked better on paper!
Re: Advice about starnow/agent problem
What no-one has mentioned yet, I don't think, is that (strictly speaking) any employer should approach an actor's agent - not the actor. If your agent's details are on your profile then that should be the first point of contact: it's what would happen on Spotlight if you were represented - indeed, your contact details probably wouldn't even appear. If this happened then these problems would not arise and an agent would probably be perfectly happy for your profile (with their contact details) to be very widely publicised.
Of course, if the work is unpaid then that's a bit different. Unpaid work often won't hold a lot of appeal for an agent and they might get the actor to liaise directly with the organiser.
Kazmama - I wouldn't hesitate to change agencies if you are unhappy. If you have a decent relationship with your agent (which doesn't seem to be the case here) then it should be easy to discuss possible jobs with your agent. I would never take a paid job without discussing it with my agent - and I would in most cases discuss any unpaid work or collaborations too.
Sometimes employers contact actors directly because they hope to pay less than the going rate - if they talk to an agent they are less likely to get away with some of the ludicrous offers that come through.
Of course, if the work is unpaid then that's a bit different. Unpaid work often won't hold a lot of appeal for an agent and they might get the actor to liaise directly with the organiser.
Kazmama - I wouldn't hesitate to change agencies if you are unhappy. If you have a decent relationship with your agent (which doesn't seem to be the case here) then it should be easy to discuss possible jobs with your agent. I would never take a paid job without discussing it with my agent - and I would in most cases discuss any unpaid work or collaborations too.
Sometimes employers contact actors directly because they hope to pay less than the going rate - if they talk to an agent they are less likely to get away with some of the ludicrous offers that come through.
Re: Advice about starnow/agent problem
In terms of audition pieces:
I would recommend looking for a short modern speech suitable for her age and "type". They may well be looking for her ability to deliver a "screen" performance rather than a theatrical one.
I would recommend looking for a short modern speech suitable for her age and "type". They may well be looking for her ability to deliver a "screen" performance rather than a theatrical one.
Re: Advice about starnow/agent problem
paulears - Thanks for your post, I do think a smaller agent where she's not competing so much internally will be much better. I am also wondering how many times she is submitted for jobs / being seen. I mean if there is a brief for a girl aged 7-9 with curly hair how many might fit that on her agents books and would a CD sit and look through 20/30/40 etc etc submissions from one agent (when presumably they have submissions from several agents). Seems she stands more chance of being seen if she's 1 out of a dozen submitted then 1 out of 50+
pg - That is exactly what I assumed happened on those sites, I could submit her but if the person was interested they would contact her agent to setup a casting/talk about the job. I did try asking them about the job but the response seemed a bit "you're on your own" which made no sense to me as they would get their commission which is better then her not getting the job and them getting no money at all.
We are changing agent, Jo from PD management has been absolutely wonderful and we had a chat on Monday she asked for a video of DD and even though they aren't taking people on until January she agreed to take her on based on her video (and then we will go to the meet & greet in January). I did get some other offers but my gut is saying PD management are the ones for us, they have been lovely, great communication and they don't have hundreds of kids on their books which is very appealing to me. Just in the process of sorting out contracts/cancelling with current agent/changing spotlight etc etc.
I can't thank you all enough, I was so stressed over this whole thing and now I feel so happy and confident she will have an agent who is going to be working hard for her and more importantly someone I can actually talk to and have a healthy relationship with
pg - That is exactly what I assumed happened on those sites, I could submit her but if the person was interested they would contact her agent to setup a casting/talk about the job. I did try asking them about the job but the response seemed a bit "you're on your own" which made no sense to me as they would get their commission which is better then her not getting the job and them getting no money at all.
We are changing agent, Jo from PD management has been absolutely wonderful and we had a chat on Monday she asked for a video of DD and even though they aren't taking people on until January she agreed to take her on based on her video (and then we will go to the meet & greet in January). I did get some other offers but my gut is saying PD management are the ones for us, they have been lovely, great communication and they don't have hundreds of kids on their books which is very appealing to me. Just in the process of sorting out contracts/cancelling with current agent/changing spotlight etc etc.
I can't thank you all enough, I was so stressed over this whole thing and now I feel so happy and confident she will have an agent who is going to be working hard for her and more importantly someone I can actually talk to and have a healthy relationship with
Re: Advice about starnow/agent problem
Good luck!
Please let us know how it goes.
Deb x
Please let us know how it goes.
Deb x
Re: Advice about starnow/agent problem
Hi Kazmama,
I think we must have met at the matilda workshop in GMC? I agree with all the posts above re your agent and I just wanted to say as we are with the same council feel free to pm me if you need help with organising the licence for your daughter's charity shoot as we have dealt with them on many occasions. Good luck to your daughter! She's gorgeous and I can't believe she hasn't been super busy!
I think we must have met at the matilda workshop in GMC? I agree with all the posts above re your agent and I just wanted to say as we are with the same council feel free to pm me if you need help with organising the licence for your daughter's charity shoot as we have dealt with them on many occasions. Good luck to your daughter! She's gorgeous and I can't believe she hasn't been super busy!
Re: Advice about starnow/agent problem
Thank flosmom, I'll keep you all updated 
tikto - Oh does your DC go to that stage school? Or did they just go to the workshop? DD played Hortensia, who did your DC play? I'm pretty sure the video is a no as they have not been back in touch and they have re-listed the job, but thank you for the offer of help I may take you up on it if the need arises in the future x
tikto - Oh does your DC go to that stage school? Or did they just go to the workshop? DD played Hortensia, who did your DC play? I'm pretty sure the video is a no as they have not been back in touch and they have re-listed the job, but thank you for the offer of help I may take you up on it if the need arises in the future x
Re: Advice about starnow/agent problem
Hi,
Sorry for a delay, I don't come on here v often. My daughter doesn't attend the school, she only did the workshop, and she played Lavender. I'm sorry if the charity video doesn't work out, but if you do need any help re the licence in the future, feel free to pm me.
Sorry for a delay, I don't come on here v often. My daughter doesn't attend the school, she only did the workshop, and she played Lavender. I'm sorry if the charity video doesn't work out, but if you do need any help re the licence in the future, feel free to pm me.