is it typical for an agent you already have not to respond to emails or phone calls?

NO, I would say that's not typical!

How often are you calling or emailing your agent?

If you are hounding them every day asking them about every single audition and/or why your kids are not out on everything you read about on Back stage, then yes, it would be typical for them to not only stop responding to you but drop you altogether.
My child has had her print agent for YEARS and the only time I email her or call them is if we have a question about a go-see they are sending us on or to confirm that we are going on a go-see.
I NEVER email or call DD's acting agents unless I need to set up a meeting or drop off new headshots. Most agents dont want their clients calling them stressing them out and asking a gazillion questions. That is what you have or need a manager for.
If you have a specific issue you need to discuss that's one thing. If you are calling them more than once every couple of months to update sizes etc. then that is BAD BAD BAD and they will quickly look to get rid of you.

not very often, I don't want to be a nuissance.

quote:

Originally posted by Actorsmommy:
If you are hounding them every day asking them about every single audition and/or why your kids are not out on everything you read about on Back stage, then yes, it would be typical for them to not only stop responding to you but drop you altogether.
My child has had her print agent for YEARS and the only time I email her or call them is if we have a question about a go-see they are sending us on or to confirm that we are going on a go-see.
I NEVER email or call DD's acting agents unless I need to set up a meeting or drop off new headshots. Most agents dont want their clients calling them stressing them out and asking a gazillion questions. That is what you have or need a manager for.
If you have a specific issue you need to discuss that's one thing. If you are calling them more than once every couple of months to update sizes etc. then that is BAD BAD BAD and they will quickly look to get rid of you.

That is not what I'm doing. I wouldn't all me or email back either. Maybe it's just been a busy time for her.

It may be a combination of things going on.
A) Agents read this board
B) They are sending out 10 to 200 kids a day and don't want to chat with ANYONE
C) Your self-submitting may be turning them off
D) They may just be busy

I would suggest that you look into getting a manager. With six kids, it is worth the 15% to have someone else handle all of the calling and questions. A Manager you CAN call every day (most of them, anyway) and get your questions answered.

When was the last time you spoke to your agent?

that is good advice, and anything that is turning them off is something I don't want to do. I appreciate it.

quote:

Originally posted by not blond:
It may be a combination of things going on.
A) Agents read this board
B) They are sending out 10 to 200 kids a day and don't want to chat with ANYONE
C) Your self-submitting may be turning them off
D) They may just be busy

I would suggest that you look into getting a manager. With six kids, it is worth the 15% to have someone else handle all of the calling and questions. A Manager you CAN call every day (most of them, anyway) and get your questions answered.

One of my kids has an agent/manager (if you can be both?) Who I've only heard from once to say she directly booked a commercial and that was 1-2 months ago. Over the past couple months I've emailed and called about a few things and haven't heard anything, or even gotten her payment for a commercial she did. That's what I'm referring to. My kids' agent that represents them for print is great and so is their commercial agent. Thanks for the advice. One of the calls to their agent is regarding self submissions which I will no longer do since she's not agreeable to it. The commercial agent is fine with it, so it depends on who the agent is I guess.

I just realized I shouldn't have posted this question on the child and teen actors board! But thanks for the good advice anyway I'm sure it applies both ways.

Self submissions are for people that are newer in the business and usually dont have representation yet. Once you have an agent, especially if it is a good one (which you do have), it is time to sit back and let your agent get your kids career off the ground. That is what you have an agent for. Let them do their job! If you reach a point where you are no longer going out at all or you are unhappy with your agent, then it is time to maybe think of looking for new representation. But my understanding is that you are fairly new at this so you are no where near that point yet. Just relax and let your agent do what you have contracted them to do. You will never be on EVERY audition that you hear about . That is a completely unrealistic expectation to have and you will drive both yourself and your agent CRAZY if you don't get out of that frame of mind.
There are several HUNDRED kids in this business. There are about 40 Thousand young actors in the industry. Only a very tiny percentage are going out on any given film, television or commercial audition. If you think yours will be on EVERY single one (even with the BEST agent in the world), then you need a total readjustment to your thinking.

I get it, I'm really not that stressed about it, its all a learning process. I know my kids will be sent out when its the right time and I do trust their agents, they are great. My question earlier pertained to a different agent/manager who isn't so great. I posted it on the wrong forum. I have had a much better experience with our print and commercial agent. I probably should think of someone else to represent my dd whose representation isn't as great as the other kids' agent. and yes the advice to get a manager is probably a really good idea.

I also wasn't contacting my dd's agent/manager about any of those things, just about acting coaches she could recommend, and other such things not about why didn't she get sent out for such and such etc...I have never done that with any of my kids representation. I ask questions here to learn but I haven't been pestering any of our representation about it. I'm sure they know what they are doing.

if an agent or manager hears about a go see for girls ages 4-7, would they send out all their 4-7 year old girls?? If no, why not?