Hi. Ok so I have an agent, but I never hear from him and my calls are not answered or returned. Should I be shopping around again for another agent or is this pretty normal? How often are you getting sent out by your agent these days? Comm or Theat?

If you're still n/u then I would say go ahead and shop around.
Is not that he's not sending you on auditions but that his not answering your calls.

There are times when my agent doesn't send me out on auditions, but if I call to check in. She always answers.

Good luck!

Thanks. I'm actually in SAG so does that mean I shouldn't / can't shop around? The thing that really bugs me is that if they don't return my calls maybe they just don't return any calls including ones from cd's. My gut says something is fishy.

Is he/she franchised? Are you signed? Have you booked anything through them--if not, that creates an out for you to end the contract, but you must do it properly. And you can always shop. Just be respectful of your agent in the process...
and as to whether to leave him or her:
Do you mean doesn't return calls saying "hi just checking in!" or "hoping you submitted me for so and so" or"I need to speak to you."....?

Who is the agent? and please dont say Leah.

your agent should return your calls. period.

quote:

Originally posted by pallaspallas:
your agent should return your calls. period.

Yeah, ideally, but I guess I cut them some slack if my calls are vague as to whether they are requiring of response--like "just wanted to let you know this or that." Now, if I ask them to call me back..yes, absolutely.

Ahhh, my favorite subject those lovely agents. Well, your agent should return your call signed or not signed. I was told once by an entertainment lawyer that you should be careful in signing with any agent. Becasue some will just "shelve" you. Meaning if you come in and you look just like someone they have already signed and is booking, they will use this tactic to take you out of the loop so to speak just to keep their signe meat & potatoe client booking and working.

It's a "business". Not returning your call is not good. I don't care if he/she says they were busy. Bill Gates is busy but returns phone calls.

If something smells fishy...yes, trust it and run. If you really want to be agressive pay a visit and have a heart to heart and clear the air. If you are still feeling the fishy fish.....walk away and don't look back. Whoopie said they will eventually call you back down the line.

In 2007 I cleaned major house and got rid of agents and managers who just did nothing. I don't even know why they called me in and collected headshots. Some think having a do nothing agent is better than having none at all. But ask yourself this, in the last three months has this agent secure ANY auditions for you?

True and well said FYI !! Honestly I got a few good auditions just by my own hustle and grind without an agent. I guess you would probably just need an agent to broker the deal for you. lol !! that's the thing with this business you have the good, the bad, and the ugly. JJS everyone on here give you sound advice, but that's just what it is advice. At the end of the day it's up to you it's your call, your business, and your career. So follow what the heart tells you kid. Knock em' died.

I had the same problem with my agent. I would just get excuses that it is the wrong season for auditions or he/she would say the jobs I booked you for all cancelled at the same time.
I am doing research on finding a new agency.

I'm going to give you two different perspectives on this. (I'm a Gemini, so I'm allowed.)

On the one hand, everyone is in "potential stike mode," so yes, really, things are slow. I can vouch for that.

On the other hand...

I think we actors are far too patient with agents. We always want to give them the benefit of the doubt, because we all want to believe we have good reps who believe in us.

The reality is, your agent doesn't return your calls and doesn't get you appoinments! You have all the information you need.

It's like women who make excuses for their drunken, low-life, unaffectionate boyfriends: "He's just going through a really hard time right now." And what do their friends tell them? "Dump him, girl. He's no good for you."

Well, I'm giving the same advice, sort of. Don't dump your agent, but don't wait to see if they start returning your calls and getting you appointments either. Bad agents, like bad boyfriends, don't wake up one morning and suddenly start showing you the attention and respect you deserve. Start shopping now. Demand more of the person who represents you.

Thank you all for your input and info. I've been acting for a while, but I'm noew to the whole agent relationship thing. I wanted to give an update to my story; I started the demeaning and horrible process of looking for another agent again and then I get an email from the head of "my" agency informing me that "my" agent no longer works there and all his clients are SOL. he scumbag didn't even have the heart to tell me himself. Just goes to show that if you have any doubts there are no doubts. Trust those insincts.
So anyone know a good agent who's looking?

Agents are rarely looking, and things are deadly slow right now. To me, it seems like a good time for us all to cultivate our secondary careers (journalism and writing in my case), and work on those "love" projects.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Kostroff:
Agents are rarely looking, and things are deadly slow right now. To me, it seems like a good time for us all to cultivate our secondary careers (journalism and writing in my case), and work on those "love" projects.

Suddenly, going back to school to finish that one class I have left to get my AA in Mass Communications doesn't seem like a bad idea.
I'm going to look into it

I think the timing might be excellent. Showbiz will still be here.