I just finished reading the article about if agents take it personally if you cancel their services... but i still have a few questions.

I signed with a very local agent(mainly because I wanted to go to a showcase that actually turned out to be very beneficial). However, I was weary about the agency itself from the start for the numerous reasons that one would be. Now, I'm moving to LA and obviously do not want to have to refer to a "mother agent" (that's the mentality that they follow). Does anyone have any suggestions about if/how I can cancel his services? I obviously plan on doing it very professionally (appointment with a letter). But honestly, I doubt he even knows my name!

Hi, there. The first thing you need to do is to take a look at the contract you signed to make sure you are not bound to anything legally (most likely you are not, but you need to be sure.) Then you can set up a meeting to talk to the agent to give him/her the news in person. If he/she is not able or willing to set up a meeting, then I would send a very nice letter telling the agent that you are moving to LA and would like to be able to secure local representation there, so you are releasing yourself from your current representation. It is not useful to have representation in another city when in Los Angeles, and people move in and out of cities all the time. So your agent should be understanding of your needs.

I think it is great that you are so conscientious about the process- good luck with this situation, and in Los Angeles!

Couple questions.

Are you union affiliated? Are you signed with your agent, or just freelancing? There are many different relationships possible with an agent.

As far as proper etiquette regarding teminating your agent's services, a simple certified letter stating your intention is all that is actually required -- a personal appointment isn't needed. This is a Dear John letter, not "Getting to know you." If you are actually signed, you may wish to just allow your contract to lapse and simply not renew. But union or not, if you are signed to an exclusive with him, he has the legal right to any future commissions due him for the balance your current contract, usually one year. Apparently this guy won't even realize you've moved on. But to cover yourself, the brief letter I recommended is the safe and professional way to go. Better safe than sorry.

If you're agent is union franchised, you may still have the right to prematurely terminate your agency contract. Here is a reprint of my recent post on the subject:

"SAG does indeed have an "escape clause" allowing its members to terminate a contract with their agent prematurely if certain obligations aren't met, in your case, failure to book you sufficient work. It's called "The 91-Day Termination Clause," and stipulates that if your commercial agent has not booked you at least $3,500. of SAG work in a single 91-day period, you have sufficient grounds to terminate your contract early (for theatrical agencies, it's 10 days of SAG employment in 91-days). Assuming that you are a member of the Guild, be advised that your agent MUST BE SAG FRANCHISED in order for this legal loop hole to have effect, so don't just assume -- check with your local SAG office to be absolutely certain that they are.

Never leave a voicemail or email, always make anything this important legal by putting it in the form of a written letter, and be sure to have it certified. Make your termination notice short and sweet, stating that you are invoking the 91-Day Termination Clause, thank them for their service amd consideration, and better luck with your new agent!"

www.robertkim.com

Thanks so much for the help! I wanted to make sure I was doing things properly, it's never a good thing to make enemies!