A question about Agents

[bigbry]

I have several agents that I work with. Here's the question, if one agent sends you an audition and you do it, then the other agent sends you the same audition....do you do the same audition? Or do you tell that agent that you've already auditioned for the part???
Thanks for your help gang
Bry

[JoeActor]

Hey Bry,

I'm in the same boat. I try to be fair when I get the same lead from multiple sources.

First, I only send in one audition. I would never suggest sending the same audition thru multiple paths. That's a recipe for disaster!

As for who I choose, that will depend on a number of factors. If one audition notice comes in much earlier than the rest, I'll go with that one. If they all come in about the same time, I'll select based on my history with each agent, how often I've auditioned for them, etc.

I don't usually tell my agent that I've auditioned thru another source unless they ask. Even then, I will just say "another source", which may well include an online service.

Haven't had any issues with this approach yet. I'm pretty sure that most agents understand we have many audition sources.

One caveat: Watch out for exclusivity! If you have an agent that you've signed an exclusive contract for a region, honor that contract above other agencies.

I'm waiting for the exclusive-exclusive contract!

My 1/50th of a dollar,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio (http://www.JoeActor.com)

[bigbry]

You mention the road that I've been taking with these agents but I just had to check with the others to see what they were doing. I too Joe am waiting for the "exclusive" contract ...so lets join hands and sing kum-by-ya to the mighty voice agent gods. Hey you never know it might help...LOL

[ScottLarson]

I'm still trying to get more than one agent, and one that's close to my city, my one and only is in Houston, I live in Kansas City. Weird market KC is.. noone wants to represent you.. really!

Scott :bye:

[bigbry]

This may sound funny Scott but I've found that if you look for an agent from your home town...they look at you and think ":well if he's from here he can't be that good". It's wierd...I've found that you always suck in your home town. Comedy audiences and agents are the same way...hey if he's from here he can't be that funny. I had to look to Chicago and Atlanta to find an agents...but do you think I could find one up in Canada to rep me...hell no I'm from here.
Just 2 cents worth
Bry

[ScottLarson]

really, thought I was losing my mind, I've sent demos to all the recording studios, agencies, prod houses and noone has given me a second glance or listen. I guessI'm not losing it. Perhaps Chicago and the like would be better places to find reps.

Thanks for the advice, now, can you recommend any (sorry couldn't help myself):cheesy:

Scott

[BobbyH]

The biblical phrase "Never a prophet in your own country" comes to mind.

Scott - Do you know any name talent in your city that could give you a recommendation?

Also, in today's market having a local agent isn't necessary. Having agents around the country/continent/globe is. (I had to drop my local agent because they weren't keeping up with the times and my increasing rates.) You simply have to cast a wide net with agents and production houses. The more opportunities, the better your chances for success.

Now, the hard part: In today's market you have to be NY, LA, and Chi town good. Since we are playing the national market, so are the agents and production houses. The agents and production houses are lining their rosters with the best talent they can find anywhere in the country/continent/globe who have ISDN and Source Connect.

Now, the cool part: The "Never a prophet in your own country" works in your favor. You, to the distant client, are NOT a local talent. So, you can charge full rate and they think they are getting something special. (They did search the entire planet just for you.)

As for the original question: Whomever was the first agent to send you the audition is the one who should receive it back. Plain and simple. They busted their butt to get it to you quickly and you should honor that.

[connieterwilliger]

Well - here's a scenario...

Agent 1 sends out the audition first - talent records audition and sends it off. Rate seems OK for the buy.

A month later Agent 2 sends out the same audition - at a higher rate! And shortly thereafter there is a second - re-audition for the same job from Agent 1 - both with no changes in the script or description of type of voice.

Two issues - do you re-audition for the job through the first agent or the 2nd agent who is going to pay more money? Agent 1 is now taking 20% and Agent 2 only 10%.

And second - no matter which agent you decide to go through - do you send in something completely different for a second audition - without knowing why they are opening up the audition again?

This was last month, so I made my decision, but I thought I would throw it out - a lot of different issues going on here!

[BobbyH]

Agent 1. Keeps it clean and everyone is OK with it in the end. More money will come later. My look at ethical questions is always to avoid conflict. If I am tempted in one direction, I know that's the incorrect route to travel. (This is obviously the product of some Freudian guilt trip from my mother.)

Just out of curiosity: without knowing why the client has re-posted and with no new direction, as an actor, what other choice of performance could you make other than the one you had already made?

[JoeActor]

Agent 1. Keeps it clean and everyone is OK with it in the end. More money will come later. My look at ethical questions is always to avoid conflict. If I am tempted in one direction, I know that's the incorrect route to travel. (This is obviously the product of some Freudian guilt trip from my mother.)

Just out of curiosity: without knowing why the client has re-posted and with no new direction, as an actor, what other choice of performance could you make other than the one you had already made?

I agree - send it to Agent 1... but I would also ask them about the project rate if you know there has been a change.

As for choices, wow! There's always a million ways to go. I've had some audtions where I'll record multiple takes because I'm uclear what they are asking for. Even when they specify what they want, there are always choices to be made.

My 1/50th of a Dollar,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio (http://www.JoeActor.com)