HANDLING YOUR FIRST AGENCY - A THREAD

Let's pretend you've just gotten an unsolicited invitation for representation from a local/regional agency. WELCOME TO THE BIG TIME WOOHOO, you think to yourself. Well, maybe! Maybe not. Let me give you a crash course on red-flag avoidance.

(You should ask about or make sure you know the answers to the following questions for any agency, even if you're reaching out to them for representation.)

1.What is the typical agency commission for non-union projects and union projects? <- most important

2. If a project is, for example, "$1000+20%," will the agency still take a cut from the talent's check?

3. Do you currently have (or intend to have) a website for or hosting for talent profiles? Is there any fee to be hosted on it, or any other fees for representation?

Knowing when the answer is a red flag is important to ensure you're being paid fairly. Basically there's 3 problematic behaviors that are red flags. Most local/regional agencies will do at least 1 in my experience, and you should consider staying away from ones doing all 3.

1. Double-dipping - you know an agency does this when you see auditions at $1000 + 20% and yet you're still paying commission on your check. The most upstanding agents will take the agent cut and leave you the $1000. That's what the 20% is there for.

Others will still take 10, 15, or 20% from your check, regardless of whether they got paid on top or not. Many, MANY regional agencies do this. Most, I'd say.

2. Charging for web hosting / representation. They will charge a fee (sometimes annually) to host demos, or list your profile on their website. This effectively makes them a pay to play. An agency ideally wants to promote you as much as possible so you both make money.

3. Take a higher commission - My national agency CESD (and most national agencies) takes 10% across the board whether the work is union or non-union. Many regionals will take 10% if it's union, but 15% if it's non-union. Some regional agencies take 20% if it's non-union.

So if your agency takes 20% but they freely promote you and don't double-dip, probably okay. If they charge you annually for your website listing but only take 10%, probably fine. If they charge 20% on top of taking their agency cut and charge you for a website listing...

In reality, all this problematic policy is rarely due to agents being sleazebags - it's usually out of necessity. Regional and single-market agencies are going under everywhere, and these moneygrabs are mostly just ways to try to keep the lights on.

But that doesn't mean you have to put up with it, or think it just has to be this way. Make sure you're informed about standard practices (because some regionals will lie and say "oh everyone does this" when they definitely don't) but...

...there's still something to be said for "getting 75% of a great job you wouldn't have had access to beats getting 100% of nothing because you turned everyone down waiting for the perfect fit." The better the agency, the more competitive representation is. Good luck!