Hello everyone, just wondering if anyone could give me any advice!
I'm currently with Mark Jermin Management but am looking to leave them quite soon, how exactly do I go about it?
Firstly, how should I tell them I am leaving? Do I literally just email them saying I'm leaving, or do I have to say a specific reason why? I also don't want to come across as being rude/ungrateful!
Also, does anyone who is with Mark Jermin know what the notice period that you have to give for leaving is? I've read through my contract but it doesn't make it completely clear how much notice I have to give!! I also don't want to email them asking what the notice period is until I know for definite that I'm leaving them!!
Finally, in the period when I've given them my notice I'm leaving but am still officially represented by them can I expect to get any auditions from them, or is unlikely they'll bother with me anymore?
Many thanks!! x
Leaving my agent (Mark Jermin Management) - Help?!
Moderator: busybusybusy
Re: Leaving my agent (Mark Jermin Management) - Help?!
I think is six months, but is should be written on the contract. By the way, speaking in general, shouldn't the notice be quite short, considering that if you loose your job they give you something like two weeks per every year of work?
Re: Leaving my agent (Mark Jermin Management) - Help?!
When we left an agent, they were happy to release us as soon as we told them, and didn't enforce the notice period.
Re: Leaving my agent (Mark Jermin Management) - Help?!
If the contract is not clear, then you can either go with your own interpretation of the contract or (and this is what I would do) you can ask them to clarify anything you do not understand.
I don't really understand why people get so worried about contacting their agents. The agent works for you, not the other way round. If you want to leave them then you don't have to give any reasons. It is certainly wise to keep things civil and professional (it's a small world), but people move from one agent to another relatively frequently and agents understand this. Just inform them that you are leaving them (with the requisite notice) and thank them for the work they have done for you during your time with them - that's all it has to be. The fact that you are asking the question about what to say suggests to me that you don't have very frequent contact with your agent in any case.
If you are going to another agency and want to start this relationship before the notice period is up with your current agent, then you do need to discuss this with both agencies so that you can come to an arrangement about commission. They may be perfectly happy for you to move immediately. Even if they insist that you pay them commission during the notice period (which might mean double commission during this time), you may feel that this is a price worth paying.
If you are going to give notice and not move to another agency until this time is up then I honestly think they would be a bit daft not to continue to work for you during this time. If you don't work, they don't get commission. Admittedly they may not put a lot of effort in to it, but I would expect them still to make submissions for suitable work via the Spotlight link for example. The agency operates as a business. How you get on with your agent and how much you trust them and how well you can communicate - all these things are significant - but they are really only significant in the business sense: it's not a personal relationship/friendship (in my opinion). I think it is much more akin to the sort of relationship one might have with an accountant or solicitor. You need them to be efficient, to communicate well and to understand your business needs. The lines often become blurred because the actor is the business.
I don't really understand why people get so worried about contacting their agents. The agent works for you, not the other way round. If you want to leave them then you don't have to give any reasons. It is certainly wise to keep things civil and professional (it's a small world), but people move from one agent to another relatively frequently and agents understand this. Just inform them that you are leaving them (with the requisite notice) and thank them for the work they have done for you during your time with them - that's all it has to be. The fact that you are asking the question about what to say suggests to me that you don't have very frequent contact with your agent in any case.
If you are going to another agency and want to start this relationship before the notice period is up with your current agent, then you do need to discuss this with both agencies so that you can come to an arrangement about commission. They may be perfectly happy for you to move immediately. Even if they insist that you pay them commission during the notice period (which might mean double commission during this time), you may feel that this is a price worth paying.
If you are going to give notice and not move to another agency until this time is up then I honestly think they would be a bit daft not to continue to work for you during this time. If you don't work, they don't get commission. Admittedly they may not put a lot of effort in to it, but I would expect them still to make submissions for suitable work via the Spotlight link for example. The agency operates as a business. How you get on with your agent and how much you trust them and how well you can communicate - all these things are significant - but they are really only significant in the business sense: it's not a personal relationship/friendship (in my opinion). I think it is much more akin to the sort of relationship one might have with an accountant or solicitor. You need them to be efficient, to communicate well and to understand your business needs. The lines often become blurred because the actor is the business.
Re: Leaving my agent (Mark Jermin Management) - Help?!
wow, thanks so much for those replies and taking so much time! 
unfortunately my agency are really petty - I can definetly see them refusing to let me leave before the notice period but not putting me up for any jobs!
They never reply to my emails unless it is something urgent - eg what time an audition is at, but if it is any general questions I have they just ignore me. A few weeks ago I emailed them three times asking what age a character I was auditioning for was, something which is pretty important as she could of been 14 or 20, and they never replied. Frankly I find this unacceptable! I know agents are busy people but as pg said - they are meant to work for me in theory!
However itrs great to know that I don't have to give them a reason! I cannot wait to leave them!
unfortunately my agency are really petty - I can definetly see them refusing to let me leave before the notice period but not putting me up for any jobs!
They never reply to my emails unless it is something urgent - eg what time an audition is at, but if it is any general questions I have they just ignore me. A few weeks ago I emailed them three times asking what age a character I was auditioning for was, something which is pretty important as she could of been 14 or 20, and they never replied. Frankly I find this unacceptable! I know agents are busy people but as pg said - they are meant to work for me in theory!
However itrs great to know that I don't have to give them a reason! I cannot wait to leave them!
Re: Leaving my agent (Mark Jermin Management) - Help?!
I think extended notice periods are one of the things covered by the unfair contract terms act - but the reality is that you could sign with another agent anyway, unless you have explicit sole agency terms. The you'd just be arguing about having to pay their commission for jobs the new agent got you as well as your new agent's commission. This would mean they'd have to sue you, and the unfair contract would then be considered by the court - meaning that it doesn't seem likely they'll take action.