I have a couple of questions lol.

So I have some interviews this month for representation with:
Youth Talent Connection
Colleen Cler
and Don Buchwald.

I was wondering if one of the agencies ask me to sign with them do I tell them I'll get back to them, and then wait until I meet with all of the agencies and make a decision?

From looking around on here, I've seen that Don Buchwald is one of the top agencies? They contacted me asking to sign with them commercially. Looking on here Kristy Dax seems to be the top commercial agent at DBA, but I got contacted by Chrissy Eaden... does anyone know about her? But I'm sure signing with DBA, would be way better than signing with Collen Cler or Youth Talent Connection, right? Am I just wasting my time even meeting with Collen Cler and Youth Talent Connection?

I also sent out my materials yesterday to CESD, Coast to Coast, Momentum, and other agencies... say I sign with one of the agencies I have a meeting with and then one of these agencies contacts me to meet with them? Should I meet? Or should I not sign with anyone until I get a response from the agencies I sent out my materials or at least know that they're not interested?

Thanks so much. I know these are probably common sense questions but I just need assurance that I'm doing that right thing. I'm 18 and my parents don't support me in this at all so I'm trying to get as much help as I can. Thanks again.

Of those three, go with Don Buchwald. Colleen Cler and Youth Talent are NOTHING compared to DBA. I would take the commercial representation from Don Buchwald and Associates.

Of course you could be honest and say "I have meetings with a few other agencies and think it would fair if I met with them before I make a final decision, but you guys are definitely my top choice so far."

If they ask you to sign on the spot without letting you take the contract home to possibly consult your lawyer or someone else you may know who can decipher a contract, then you definitely should NOT be signing with them. If they don't mention it, than just ask them if you can. I highly doubt you will have this problem especially with Don Buchwald.

Best of luck!

thanks, this info helps me out too as I am having multiple interviews/auditions with agencies at around the same time, so what negotiating tools do actors have with contracts, aside from length of contract and %?

quote:

Originally posted by philm-aker:
thanks, this info helps me out too as I am having multiple interviews/auditions with agencies at around the same time, so what negotiating tools do actors have with contracts, aside from length of contract and %?

You can't negotiate percentages.

quote:

Originally posted by philm-aker:
thanks, this info helps me out too as I am having multiple interviews/auditions with agencies at around the same time, so what negotiating tools do actors have with contracts, aside from length of contract and %?

Because a lot of contracts are basically a letter from you to the agent, they will put in there when they will be paid by you if and when you get your paychecks. They do this obviously to save their butt. Make sure YOU know when YOU will be paid as well. That's my biggest advice.

I would also say DBA, but I got a question for you. You are very lucky to have all these agent interviews. Can I ask how you were able to get their attention. Mailings, meet and greets, referrals? I don't know too many people in the new york area in acting so this would be really helpful! Thus far, my mailings have been fruitless.

Hey anitabfamous...
I have not gotten any calls from ANY agencies from mailings... but then again I mailed to all the big names and I have very little on my resume. All the interviews I got were from submitting online through the agencies website and through LAcasting.com.
DBA contacted me through there.
I've found more success from submitting online.
Hope I've helped.

Thanks! Hope your interviews went well!

DBA is having an open casting this month I would call them . It is in NJ>

joeysmom - Where could I get the info on the open call and are they seeing kids/Teens too. Do I really just cold call and ask them about it?

"Thanks so much. I know these are probably common sense questions but I just need assurance that I'm doing that right thing. I'm 18 and my parents don't support me in this at all so I'm trying to get as much help as I can. Thanks again."

Well, all i can say is well done! I'm 19 and my parents don't support me either but I still choose to pursue acting. Also, i have never been contacted by so many agencies before, so all in all you should give yourself a pat on the back! You're off to a great start!

quote:

Originally posted by TRUTHTELLER59:

quote:

Originally posted by philm-aker:
thanks, this info helps me out too as I am having multiple interviews/auditions with agencies at around the same time, so what negotiating tools do actors have with contracts, aside from length of contract and %?

You can't negotiate percentages.

You can negotiate percentages. If the agency wants you to sign a contract that says they get more than 10%, you can tell them you are aware that most agencies only take 10%, and you'd rather agree to those terms. They can tell you to go away. And you can also tell them "thank you, I think I will."

Most talent agencies used to be franchised by Screen Actors Guild. Clients would sign a SAG contract (and an AFTRA contract) when they were taken on as new clients. In 2002, that changed. Now some of them are franchised and some of them aren't. Now many agencies have their clients sign what is known as a General Services Agreement (GSA) instead of those union contracts. While many of the GSAs are similar, they vary from agency to agency. It's sort of an every-man-for-himself kinda thing now. While most respectable agencies don't include provisions in their contracts that "screw the actors", many of them do include terms which provide less protection than the SAG Agency Franchise Agreement allows. Most GSAs contain provisions which offer actors drastically fewer protections than those in the Agency franchise. (Some of those include: a term longer than 3 years, a commission rate of greater than 10%, and payment of commission on compensation including penalties, residuals, per diem, etc. that are/were not allowed under the SAG contracts.) One of the biggest differences between GSAs and SAG contracts is that under GSAs, SAG can't offer its arbitration/mediation services to settle commission or other disputes with these agents since they are no longer under SAG jurisdiction. So, while most agents still only ask for 10% because that has been the industry standard for so long, some agencies may ask you to sign an agreement entitling them to a larger percentage.

Technically, I suppose they could put whatever they want in there, and most actors will just sign it. It's highly advised to have a lawyer or an expert look over the contract before you sign it. (SAG asks that its members notify the Guild if they've been asked to sign a GSA and provide a copy of it to them so they may assist you in reviewing it.)

Here are links to some interesting info on the subject:

Words of advice before signing with an agent
SAG membor advisory
SAG: Your relationship with your agent
SAG agency relations update