Belonging to more than ONE agency

[jnrshenton]

I would be really interested in the NAPM view of "being" with more than one agency.
My research has led me to believe that most agencies prefer to have sole representation - indeed, they include this in their contracts - however, I have seen that there are a few very successful DC that appear on the books of several agencies at once.
Fair play to them (the parents) if they are clever enough (and have the time) to eke out the non-sole agencies and join all of their books (talent aside), but is this perceived as ok?

[pg]

The top agencies usually insist on sole representation.

If you are represented by background/extra agencies or modelling agencies then having more than one agent is quite common. It is also fairly common (but not obligatory) to have a separate agent for voiceover work.

Those who do not insist on sole representation tend to have large numbers on their books.

As an actor, having just one agent is the best bet.

[Jeanie]

I agree with PG that it's best to have one agency working on your behalf.

However, I know of a child who has 3 spotlight profiles because he/she's with different agents. I don't know how it works but the father reckons that the agencies get different work and if the child gets two castings via different agents [for the same job] then he cancels one. Mostly the child only gets one casting so the dad thinks it works well. He also said that the CDs are so busy, they don't notice it's the same girl! [in 3 different photos]!

I don't condone or advise this.