My DD and I went to Kids International (D.C. area) today and we liked the owners and their presentation. There were 8 kids & parens at this interview/audtion. After the kids wre done, they talked to the parents together and told us that they'd like to invite our children to join Kids International Agency and then told us that we (just the parents) had return to next Saturday for a mandatory "Parents Workshop" WHICH COSTS $85:00!!

During the course of the parent discusssion, after someone asked about classes, they told us that they did offer different classes/workshops for children, though they are NOT mandatory. However, it was clear that they wanted the kids to seriously consider taking classes with them. For one thing, they did say something like,"the majority of kids who consistently book jobs are successful because they have training and our instructors can provide that training." They likened it to training classes that any entry level professional would take in order to advance his career. I wondered if they were implying that taking their classes would move you to the top of their submission pile -- but maybe I'm being paranoid.

It was really a no pressure presentation and they repeatedly said that they did not require classes. But they also said that the reason they don't require kids to attend their classes is because SAG won't let them, but otherwise they would -- apparently for the good of the kids.

They did not mention any specific classes (other than the required Parent Workshop). But I did see an already completed workshop listed on their website consisting of two 4-hour sessions and cost $250. Isn't that pretty steep?

Please, help me here. There are not a lot of choices in the DC area and I think this is the only SAG office that works with kids. I really don't know where else to turn to get my 10y.o. representation.

I'm not sure that being SAG franchised means much -- there's a well-known "agent" in New York who is SAG franchised and who regularly tries to shnooker people into paying hundreds of dollars to appear in his "book."

SAG has been notified of this, yet does nothing about it.

Anyway -- the situation you're describing sounds a little shady to me and my suggestion would be to seek different representation.

I'd be interested in hearing others' thoughts ...

Better to have no options than shady ones- ALWAYS.

The DC area is not a major market for the biz. NY LA CHICAGO and philly are the bigger markets.

the small maket area you have to beware of stuff.

and I personally find that Since the SAG-AGENT agreement was dissolved, that most of the better agencies are not sag franchised, but rather with ATA. NATR.

quote:

Originally posted by boheme:there's a well-known "agent" in New York who is SAG franchised and who regularly tries to shnooker people into paying hundreds of dollars to appear in his "book."

SAG has been notified of this, yet does nothing about it.

In fairness to SAG, as they told me years ago, the "book" is for commercial print - even if the people he's selling it to are actors looking for representation. So if SAG tries to step in, all he has to do is say: "It's print. You don't have jurisdiction."

How the attorney general would feel might be different, but I doubt anyone's taken it that far.

NO FEES!!!

I was hoping you would chime in here. If NO FEES is a hard and fast rule, what about what "Working Actor" Jackie says in his post on March 16, 2008?

"I was shocked when I discovered that, yes, agents in what are referred to as “smaller markets” – meaning, per SAG, anywhere but Los Angeles and New York – can apply for a waiver to charge actors a $100 fee for the upkeep of websites, making a company CD to advertise clients, and other digital marketing. The review process for such a waiver is intensive – approval must be given by the local Branch Council, the Regional Executive Director, the National Agents Relations Committee, and the National Director of Agencies before it can take effect. As such, these waivers are quite rare. The waivers are meant to increase Guild work opportunities in less active markets. How they do this is a bit of a mystery."

http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6031061/m/162106901?r=162106901

I'd really like to get this cleared up as it is apparent to me that ALL CHILD AGENTS IN MY AREA CHARGE FEES!! That goes for management agecies too. SAG/AFTRA/ATA - doesn't matter; It costs anywhere from $45 to $100. Some call it a database fee, others a one-time registration fee, or an Introductory Workshop fee. I don't know what to think anymore. MUST I go to a NY Agent just to get my 10 y.o. DD work in DC/Baltimore??

P.S. -- I'm not opposed to paying a reasonable fee to an agent who is honest and hard working and is just trying help cover overhead expenses in a smaller market where 10% commission may not be all that much. I just don't want to be had.

IF such a waiver exists, then go ahead and pay the fee. I suppose to even HAVE the biz in the smaller markets they have to support themselves somehow. Here in NYC the 10% fee is enough to support all the Giant agencies and the small agencies too.

In areas of little activity, I suppose there is fee to help out. Also in areas of less activity, you yourself will find it much harder to make a living.

So anyway, story time: once there was this shoot to take place in baltimore. the came to New York to cast the actors. and transported them there for the shoot.

Aside from the local news, and perhaps some local theaters, the amount of work available to actors in these small bit markets are virtually nil. so mayne you should go to a market closer to you that is bigger. Try philly. I suggest you try EXPRESSIONS on church st.

I just took a look at Jackie's column and this is news to me. I work in Los Angeles and in all honesty, I don't know much about secondary markets.

Based on Jackie's research, I would have no objection to paying a small one time fee for new clients - especially if the union allows it.

BUT...

I have serious objections to any agency or management company in any market that charges fees for mandatory workshops. That seems inappropriate to me - especially the one that charges $250 for two 4-hour sessions. As a client, you (or your child) should be offered these workshops as a possible option but the word mandatory freaks me out.

I would suggest that you ask around and find others in your area that are in the same position. Gather as much info as possible, then make some decisions about what to do next.

Just to set the record straight, the $250 acting class is an optional workshop -- not mandatory.
The MANDATORY workshop is for parents only - no children are allowed to attend. It is designed to bring uninformed parents up-to-speed on the business of showbiz.

I think that is a good idea, but I don't see why it must be an $85 2-hour workshop. A good book or internet research would accomplish the same goal.

Well, since the parents are not the 'talents' signed under the agency, then the Union rules doesn't really apply... right?

I had agents recommanding me to working on some skills (accents, cold reads....) but never was asked to take 'workshops' with the agent. But none of them said "We cannot sign you until you take this, this and that classes with me."

Personally, I think the "Mandatory Workshop" is bad news. If something like that happen to me at an interview with an agency, I'd walk right out.

quote:

Originally posted by JimChevallier:

In fairness to SAG, as they told me years ago, the "book" is for commercial print - even if the people he's selling it to are actors looking for representation. So if SAG tries to step in, all he has to do is say: "It's print. You don't have jurisdiction."

How the attorney general would feel might be different, but I doubt anyone's taken it that far.

Thanks for the clarification!

(It's still low-down-and-dirty ..... )

SAGAFTRAAEA :

Thanks for your input. But keep in mind, I;m talking about work for my 10 yo. daughter,not the breadwinner of the family. She just wants a chance to do SOMETHING in film, even local commercials would make her happy.

I've looked into some Philly agencies, but most are reluctant to sign kids from out of the area - unless it's in the NYC direction. I'll look into Expressions, couldn't hurt. Thanks!

There is plenty of self submit work in the DC area. Just get ross reports and submit to the local casting directors; check ross reports and the DC/MD/VA film commission websites. The whole thing smells scammy. You don't need an agent to book work in the DC area.

When I questioned their policy of having parents pay for a "mandatory parent workshop" they said: "Unless your daughter is ALREADY a SAG/ AFTRA member, then it's required to take the parent workshop."

They also encouraged parents to enroll the kids in the Agency's acting/auditioning classes ($250 & up). The owner said, "The classes aren't mandatory, but when I submit kids to auditions, the ones who are prepared and trained have a better chance of getting a role, so of course I'm going send the ones who are most likely to be successful." As true as that statment is ... I thought it shouldn't have come from the owner of the agency who also offers paid classes. It sounded like "If you want to be on the top of the sumbission pile, take our classes." When I pointed out that since they are the ONLY SAG agency in the area, it seemed like a conflict of interest for them to do training classes as well as reprensent talent, regardless of their assurances that SAG had given them approval for it -- Then I got a huffy indignant reply and they said my daughter "wasn't a good fit for them" after all.

Maybe they are legit, maybe not. (They are listed on SAG's site under DC area). Either way, I guess we don't have to worry about it now.