Generating your own work - if you have an agent?

[AlexisAdair]

Hi all, need more career advice regarding working with having an agent.

I'm preparing to start marketing myself to all the local audio/video production studios, recording studios, etc.

Those of you who've done these - if you have an agent in the market where you're trying to drum up interest, does your mailing include the agent info as well as your personal contact, only the agent info, something else?

What do you do to direct people to your agent for negotiations without risking "scaring them off" (I'm currently non-union).

I don't expect my agent to have the resources to market me to the hundreds of individual studios. I know I'm trying to make personal connections, so I wouldn't want to "turn anyone off" when I send out my materials, so I want them to be able to contact me personally.

Any thoughts, advice or personal examples are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Alexis

[avitoots]

I have been doing personal marketing for mostly on-camera for the last 6 years or so and have always put my favorite agent's (I'm multi-listed) contact information on my letter head, etc. as well as my personal contact information. However, I only have my personal cell phone number on my CD. This is acceptable if you are not exclusive with an agent. If you are exclusive with your agent, you need to look at the agreement you signed with them. The agreement may cover self-promotion issues (i.e., whether it's acceptable to put your personal contact information and/or any commission the agent may be due as a result of your personal efforts). I would also suggest reading JoBe Cerny's book. He talks about self-promotion while having exclusive representation with an agent. His book is very informative and a fun read.

Arlene Kahn

[connieterwilliger]

First let your agent know that you are doing a big marketing push and ask them for a mailing/contact list. My agent in San Diego used to have a "go see" list.

Your agent should be thrilled to have you doing your own marketing, as they don't market you specifically anyway, they don't have time.

There are risks with people having the wrong impression that going through an agent is more expensive. If this is the case consistently, then perhaps your rates have been too low. That being said, I have had people decide not to use me even before they talked to me or my agent - just assuming that I would be too expensive - when with a bit of creative use of the codes, it can be done.

The agent is motivated to find a way to make it work. They get paid when you work. And as I posted in another forum somewhere - could have been this one, most agents outside of the majors represent both union and non-union talent. If someone is scared off, do you really need them anyway? Hard question to answer when the mortgage is due!

[avitoots]

Connie -- I guess it works a little different here in Chicago where you can be multi-listed. I have one agent I prefer to get work through but several others who submit me and book me as well. So I don't know how the "tell your agent first" would work in my situtation. Some of the agencies here in town won't even let you call in to check in let alone call to ask for a "look-see" list (and I remember the days when they gave you the look-see lists, especially for print work). So I guess it depends on the particular market you're in and your relationship with your paritcular agent. I know I've gotten work on my own and didn't have to pay a commission to my agent (I'm not exclusive with any of them). So, again, I guess it depends on the market and the relationship with your agent.

Arlene

[Jon Morss]

Alexis -- This will depend on your contract with your agent and whether or not it is exclusive or non-exclusive. Some agencies require you notify them of any work you do within certain radius, mine has a 75 mile limit of coverage. Anything beyond that and I am no my own. Also, if I were you I would call the prospective places you plan to send demos to and ask if they work with your agency. I made a few calls in my area and found many ad agencies did not work with the agency I was listed with. This is all depends on where you live and the contract you have with your agency.

As far as putting your personal info on your demos and marketing material, this should be fine. Just be sure you notify your agent if you book with someone with in their coverage.

I hope some of this helps.

Jon

[AlexisAdair]

Thank you all for the feedback!

Jon, what did you do when those advertising agencies said they didn't work with your agent? Send your stuff without the agent's info? Or not send to them at all?

Thanks again everybody!

Alexis

[Jon Morss]

Alexis -
When I am told a potential client does not accept VO folks from the agency I am with, I don't mention that I am represented by them. Also, I have removed the agency listing from all marketing material for this same reason. I did not want that to be a limitation for me booking work locally. But, if I were to book something I would inform the agency and try to keep this from being communicated to the client. I'm not sure why the agency is not used, but it would explain why I have only seen 2 audition notices from them in the past two years and why no one I know that is listed with them has ever booked work through them. However, I am told they are trying.

I hope you have had better luck with your agent.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

Jon

[annavo]

Alexis--

I love your questions, and you have some great responses here already.

From my experience, I always put my agent contact info as well as my cell number on all of my correspondence, which is now done almost entirely through email--I can't remember the last time I mailed a hard CD to someone. On my CD, my postcards, my business card, and my email signature, I have both my agent contact info and my direct number (no landlines, though).

If you are marketing to production houses/studios, why would you omit your agency info? I think it shows that you are a professional who works through the proper protocols. Unless your agent is terrible and no one wants to work with that person...well, then you better drop that agent right away...you'll get more work on your own...but that's a whole other topic!

And as for paying commissions to that agent, you do need to refer to your contract, but if you have a good working relationship with a good agent, then pay the commission and be honest and upfront about the work you are getting on your own. It creates heat around your career, and that's something your agent can really pitch when she's thinking of who to submit for that new client's campaign...

It's painful to have to pass on jobs or be passed up for whatever reason. But you can't control what people are gonna do. I've had clients tell me they are paying SAG scale, but then when they talk to my agent, they realize how much an 8 hour narration job is going to run them, and I lose the job. I've also had a guy email me from my V123 profile to voice an animated pilot in exchange for back-end points, and when I told him that sounds great, but back-end points definitely means having my agent do the deal, he sent an angry missive that I must be just a stupid actress to pass up ownership points on a great show.

You can't please all the people all the time, so do what feels right to you, Alexis. The people who want to hire you will hire you, and the people who are offended with your perfectly professional marketing materials...well, they can stick it!!!!

[avitoots]

Originally Posted by Jon Morss

Alexis -
I'm not sure why the agency is not used, but it would explain why I have only seen 2 audition notices from them in the past two years and why no one I know that is listed with them has ever booked work through them. However, I am told they are trying.

I hope you have had better luck with your agent.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

Jon

Jon -- I'm not sure where you're located, but are you exclusive with your agent? If not, can you be multi-listed in your market? In Chicago you can be multi-listed and each agency has some clients that only work with them. The reason a talent buyer uses one particular agent on a regular basis could be nothing more than the agency has a good relationship with the talent buyer and they always get enough of a selection of actors to audition to fill the roles to be cast. So, if you can be multi-listed, it may work to your advantage.

I have one agent who I have been with for quite a while and with whom I have an excellent relationship. On the rare occasions when I've booked something on my own and she asks me how I got the gig, I'll tell her I booked it on my own and there is no mention of commission due for the agent. However, when she's needed a favor, i.e., someone to step in when there's a cancellation, I'm generally there for her (that may have more value to her than the commission). So I don't know if it is necessary or expected to pay a commission to an agent when you're non-exclusive for work you've booked yourself. JoBe Cerny talked in his book about keeping a log of jobs he booked himself and jobs he booked on his own. Since he's exclusive with his agent, he pays commission on all gigs whether they're booked through the agent or on his own. If he finds that he's booking more on his own than through the agent, he changes agents. Of course, most of us aren't in his position where we can change agents at will, but that's how one of the top VO in Chicago handles the agent/commission/self-booking issue.


Arlene

[Julie Williams]

Here's how I do it when I am in an area with an exclusive contract with an agent.

When I create a marketing package for a local area, I create it with that agent's contact info on it, as well as my own. When I send out all the packages... which usually include postcards, or chocolate, I send one to the agent too. The agent loves the chocolate... and new employees of the talent agency begin to recognize who I am (out of all the talent on their roster.)

As for commissions... when I'm in an exclusive market... I'm referring the prospect to the agent to negotiate, contract, and collect for me... so when client pays, the agent takes his/her cut and sends me a check for the balance.