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I thought I would pass this one by all you experienced people. In the summer, a famous agency agreed to represent my ds which he was extremely pleased about. When I asked them about a contract, he is not quite 18, they replied that they don't sign anything until their client gets a part. So, he was "hip pocketed" as they say in the states. A warning bell went off here, but not too loudly. They were very keen and said that they wanted him to decide immediately as two other agents also were interested.

Next, two people from his agency came to one of his plays at his school, regular school not drama school. He did not find this out until one of his fellow cast members told him that the agent had arranged a meeting with 2 other boys and agreed to represent them. My ds found that his agent sent one of those boys on a casting which possibly could have been suitable for him. More warning bells.

I feel that they should have told him before hand that they were coming out of courtesy and that they were interested in two of his classmates. They also originally said that they don't like to represent too many similar types of actors but keep things exclusive which doesn't seem the case.

I feel he should consider changing agents as the other two are big powerhouse ones. Does anyone think they behaved badly?? If so, what should he do that is professional and proper? Should he call a meeting with his agent and tell them he is going to sign with someone else or give them a chance to explain?

All thoughts appreciated...

Hi Chaffeurmum,

Firstly let me say, that I am so sorry to hear this and I think that they are extremely unprofessional. From a law point of view, if you have not signed a contract, or you do not have a verbal agreement with them, where you have said that they are solely your agent, then you do not have to contact them to tell them that you are going to sign with another agent.

From a mothers point of view, I would have set up a meeting and told them how unprofessional they are and what they have done to my son, and if they can not give a reasonable explanation as to why they have gone and done what they did, that I would be sending out warnings to other parents on the net to let them know what they are all about!!

Did the school know that they were coming? As they would have needed permission to be there. I would check.

I can think of a few choice words that I would have told them over the phone, to be honest!!

Shame on them!!

Hope this helps.

xxx

did the parent(s) of one of the other boys invite the agent to see their ds perform ? -
As Chauffermum said,, if you haven't signed a contract with this agent, your ds is free to sign with another agent. Your ds could just phone this agent and tell them that he's been offered representation elsewhere (no explanation necessary!).
- of course it's a really frustrating situation to have happened that leaves a bad taste in your mouth, but I don't think its a good idea for you as 'mum' to talk to them about their behaviour, because of your son's age really, I don't think it would help matters or achieve anything and probably the agent will feel they don't have to explain themselves anyway would they.

Because of this situation it sounds like the relationship with the agent is already tainted for your ds in some respects (but it's not unrecoverable too)- but if they see someone who they think can make them money ... they're going to sign them and send them for castings. It's such a tough ol business.

Sorry for your ds, but he must be very talented to have interest from other agents and hope he gets the outcome he's happy with.

Hi there
My oldest DS is 17 nearly 18 and I find it SO hard to not step in all the time to fight his corner, so does is Dad ! - you want and need them to speak up and to face issues but you can see the lack of experience and confidence from them, (I know I can with my DS) But it is right, your DS needs to just contact them once he has obtained representation elsewhere and tell them he is moving on.

What have they ACTUALLY done for him? - not much it seems? - do you get informed of submissions?

My own DS was chuffed to be accepted by a well respected and exclusive agent last year, they were very nice people, but I found from my rather large extended "family" of other mums that DS was not being submitted for potentially suitable roles and there was a definate pecking order within the agency...and the communication that I like to have was not there, even though they were very approachable if I approached them.
We decided to move on and since leaving he has had plenty of submissions, two castings , a call-back and a straight job! I do think his last agent would be fantastic for him as an older teen maybe and we left on really good terms paving a way for the future..(it was a HARD decision to go as this agency is a good one)

I think your DS should move on and quick, it's such a small world in our industry, not all agencies work out for everyone, leave on good terms (even though you want to give them what for and I don't blame you )
He has to have confience that they representing his interests in every sense of the word. let us know what he decides.

x
PS other people may have different opinions and experience , but in my humble opinion I cannot see the point of confronting them about the main issue as they are likely to not care very much, there is so much talent out there to choose from, if your DS hasn't earned them any money, I am not sure they are going to worry about losing him, and a meeting might just cause bad feeling, it's hard but true

Just as an alternative point of view, agents (and casting directors) do go to school productions at some of the posh private schools in London (and places like Hurtwood House) looking for talent, they've been to my nephews school a couple of times. Romola Garai was discovered that way at the City of London School for Girls, so I don't think they were necessarily doing anything wrong...
But I think Riverdancefan is right, it's important to have a good relationship based on trust and if you no longer feel you have that then move on, not all agencies work out for everyone, you need to find the one that's right for your ds.

If he is under 18 then if they were really interested they would have signed up mum/dad like happens with every child in theatre and movies. If the agency is really keen then they need to make it work legally. They didn't take the option. The advice to find somebody else is good. No contract means they can't charge their fees, so they won't work for you. You need to want your agent as much as they want you. Lots of people have agents a little like dentists. You're on the books, but only see them for bad news!

If your ds had interest from other agencies I would try to arrange some more meetings. Its always tempting when certain big agencies show interest but isn't necessarily best for ds. We had several meetings before signing with ds current agent. One very large one was very pleasant and interested but couldn't seem to make their mind up, another was also interested but we were warned that if you don't get the roles, eventually when you phone up you are told the agent has gone skiing (ds says there is a sketch in extras about this!). We were told ds current agent had good reputation etc and was nice person, so felt confident in signing. By the way ds agent told me a similar term to 'hip pocketing' exists - called 'hoovering', where they flatter you if they are a bit interested, but are just collecting a stack of talent, and won't necessarily get you any work.

As has been said by most on here, I think it’s best for your son to have a little look elsewhere. It’s a very difficult thing to do at any age, to call up your agent and have a good old complain (I can hardly bring myself to the phone), but a brief meeting with his agent may clear some things up. I always feel it’s best to try to be honest with your agent, you’re supposed to be a team, and if you son is feeling this is not the case then perhaps jumping ship is the right move. He should feel happy and safe with his agent, but also understand that one may have been put up for something and then not got an audition, which always feels rubbish! Good luck to him… and don’t get scared by all the scary American phrases.

Hmmm I'm not sure I would agree your agent is behaving badly. Often an agent won't sign a young actor until they've been on a few castings to see how they get on. I went through a similar thing with my DS - with an agent displaying interest and putting him up for castings but not officially signing him for a few months. Also they came to see him in a school play (he goes to a well known school but certainly not a drama school) but didn't previously tell us they were coming. From that they signed a boy within his year - who has been up for different castings to my DS. Ultimately I learnt from that although they are all submitted for the same castings - the casting director may have decided the other actor was more relevant to get in. I think it's worth a discussion before officially moving elsewhere - it's a very small industry and I often find from castings that word gets round from agent to casting director to agent very quickly!

Thanks for all the tips everyone. We have decided to wait and see and ds is off to drama school in Sept so will be out of it for a few years. We are going to keep in contact with the other big agents that expressed interest and invite them to plays etc... Then, when he does his showcase, we will see where we are.

What a lot of help all of you are. It really means a lot in this industry which sometimes seems like WW1, in the trenches much of the time.

You guys are like Baldrick, always doing something to make me smile. (Sorry for being so corny)

C