The Ever Present AGENT Question...

PierceVoice · 01-16-2008, 09:12 AM

I know a guy with a problem. Let's call him... ViercePoice. He came to me with this:

I met with a group locally in Raleigh yesterday. They are more of an "acting" agency, but they passed some paperwork my way anyhow.

When joining with a local (with a mainly local focus), are there any drawbacks I should look for?
Should I be hiring a lawyer to read the wordy "exlucivity" contract?
They don't handle voice work, but say I may be right for some video acting auditions-- things us face-for-radio folks are anxious about.

I know the "agent this and that" questions are so many that these have come up be4, but... help a fella-- my friend-- out?

Eric · 01-16-2008, 09:20 AM

Chad,
Id be careful of signing any exclusivity contract with a local agent. unless they are a major agency (.i.e William Morris, CESD, DPN), they usually are not worth giving exclusivity. Seems self-limiting to me and your better off marketing yourself. Its ok to pay them a commission on work they bring you, but thats about it.
Best Regards,
Eric @voicehunter.com

JoeActor · 01-16-2008, 09:27 AM

Chad,

What Eric said...

Although, you might consider it if it's only exclusive for a region or city.

When in doubt, a lawyer may be worth the cost long run.

Look thru the contract to see if it's easy to get out of also...

Measure Twice, Cut Once,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio

Bob Bergen · 01-17-2008, 07:10 AM

If it's a union contract/agency, then it will be pretty straight forward. That said, even if it is a union contract, you can make an appointment at SAG or AFTRA and they will go over the contract with you. If it isn't union, I'd recommend hiring a lawyer to go over the contract. Make sure it's for your area only, and doesn't prevent you from having representation outside your area. And make sure that their commission is always 10%, no more!!!!

Better yet, ask if they will do a verbal agreement. I'm at a rather large agency in LA, and I don't have a signed contract. When I was at William Morris I didn't have a signed contract. Most of their VO clients didn't.

One HUGE piece of advice for everyone regarding agents:

If you do sign a contract, don't sign for more than one year...ever!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your ego will be boosted when they ask you to sign for 3 years. "Wow, they must really love me!!" But that just gives them the power and you no leverage. They may fight you on this. But there are very few times we have any control in our careers. Don't give anyone more of your life contractually than you need to. If all is well, you can re-sign after each year.

PierceVoice · 01-17-2008, 07:47 AM

Bob & others, as always you have delivered!

Funny. The words "sole and exclusive", "throughout the world", "2 years", and "10 to twenty percent" were all used.

This is another reminder that-- in any line of work-- the PERCEPTION of how things are done, and how things are REALLY done can be very different.

I'm pretty sure I owe you all money now.

01-16-2008, 09:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
PierceVoice User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 248	The Ever Present AGENT Question... I know a guy with a problem. Let's call him... ViercePoice. He came to me with this: I met with a group locally in Raleigh yesterday. They are more of an "acting" agency, but they passed some paperwork my way anyhow. When joining with a local (with a mainly local focus), are there any drawbacks I should look for? Should I be hiring a lawyer to read the wordy "exlucivity" contract? They don't handle voice work, but say I may be right for some video acting auditions-- things us face-for-radio folks are anxious about. I know the "agent this and that" questions are so many that these have come up be4, but... help a fella-- my friend-- out? __________________ CHADD PIERCE Creative Branding Consultation, Writing and Voice at PierceVoice.com.

01-16-2008, 09:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
Eric User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 7	Agencies Chad, Id be careful of signing any exclusivity contract with a local agent. unless they are a major agency (.i.e William Morris, CESD, DPN), they usually are not worth giving exclusivity. Seems self-limiting to me and your better off marketing yourself. Its ok to pay them a commission on work they bring you, but thats about it. Best Regards, Eric @voicehunter.com

01-17-2008, 07:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
PierceVoice User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 248	Bob & others, as always you have delivered! Funny. The words "sole and exclusive", "throughout the world", "2 years", and "10 to twenty percent" were all used. This is another reminder that-- in any line of work-- the PERCEPTION of how things are done, and how things are REALLY done can be very different. I'm pretty sure I owe you all money now. __________________ CHADD PIERCE Creative Branding Consultation, Writing and Voice at PierceVoice.com.

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01-16-2008, 09:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
JoeActor Administrator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,336	Chad, What Eric said... Although, you might consider it if it's only exclusive for a region or city. When in doubt, a lawyer may be worth the cost long run. Look thru the contract to see if it's easy to get out of also... Measure Twice, Cut Once, Joe J Thomas Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio

01-17-2008, 07:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
Bob Bergen User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 145	If it's a union contract/agency, then it will be pretty straight forward. That said, even if it is a union contract, you can make an appointment at SAG or AFTRA and they will go over the contract with you. If it isn't union, I'd recommend hiring a lawyer to go over the contract. Make sure it's for your area only, and doesn't prevent you from having representation outside your area. And make sure that their commission is always 10%, no more!!!! Better yet, ask if they will do a verbal agreement. I'm at a rather large agency in LA, and I don't have a signed contract. When I was at William Morris I didn't have a signed contract. Most of their VO clients didn't. One HUGE piece of advice for everyone regarding agents: If you do sign a contract, don't sign for more than one year...ever!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your ego will be boosted when they ask you to sign for 3 years. "Wow, they must really love me!!" But that just gives them the power and you no leverage. They may fight you on this. But there are very few times we have any control in our careers. Don't give anyone more of your life contractually than you need to. If all is well, you can re-sign after each year.