I have read the forums and there really isn't any recent information on this agency (LA not New York). Just wondering if anyone has any current information on them, pros and cons?

We're with them and like them a lot. We have been with them for three years.

Abrams is one of the most respected agencies in LA. We have been repped there in the past, and have been repped for voiceover there for something like 8 years.

They have more than a few series regular kids all the time, and always feature film kids. On their IMdb it looks like they have about 36 kids with starmeters under 20,000.

Wendi Green has been the head theatrical agent there for many years, and she is known to be an excellent negotiator. Con: she can be a little, uh, direct. MANY, if not most, parents use a manager there.

Commerically, they have a fairly new agent, Jeremy Apody, in the kids' divison. He follows a long term agent (like 16 yrs) who left to start his own agency. My understanding was that Jeremy was his assistant. Their commercial department is quite large, but I know people who are happy there. I am very disappointed to see Jeremy's name pop up on the lists of JRPs and competitions though--perhaps he will wise up soon. I have no idea if he actually signs anyone from those things, or if he is just cashing in, but it is a black mark for Abrams.

Note that many kids are repped by Abrams commercially (hundreds, perhaps a thousand...I don't know a current count), but a MUCH smaller number are repped theatrically. So not every kid is repped across the board. Don't assume anything if you interview there...the commercial and theatrical departments are separate. It is not a given that they will submit you theatrically.

Voiceover there is a separate department, and caters to adults, not kids. But they are great, and we have always been happy.

Abrams doesn't do print and has no dedicated print agent in LA.

Business wise, they are on top of it. We always get paychecks quickly. They are an ATA agent, so you won't get a SAG contract from them. We do not have a written contract (maybe because we have been there so long).

Overall, excellent agency. I would be wary of conflicts, since they are so large.

HTH,
A

quote:

Originally posted by Mom on Fire:
I just wanted to add something about Abrams. I went in and interviewed and met with Jeremy. He was a nice guy and wanted to rep my daughter, but he said I needed to get new headshots and insisted I shot with their in house photographer. I was gonna cost over 800.00 and I was always told never to work with someone who insists you shoot with a particular photographer- that they have to give you a list, isn't that right? A few friends told me to report them to SAG but that SAG won't do anything because they are so big and every agency does it but I am new to this and am confused. I don't want to hold my daughters back but I don't want to be taken advantage of either. He said if I don't shoot they can't rep me, what do I do?

I highly, highly doubt this is true.

I experienced the same thing with Abrams. I went in a while back. I was told they use to have a guy Brad who was in charge of the kids but he had a falling out with the owners because they were both getting kickbacks from all the photographers and acting instructors they were requiring their clients to shoot with. He was fired and set up his own agency called Maverick. Jeremy took his place and they are up to their old tricks again. I have three kids and was told they wouldn't take us without professional pictures which I do understand is the norm in this business, but they wanted 1000 per child for pictures and head shots. I can't imagine that being the going rate is it?

When I told them it was to much their photographer said he would give me a 20% discount and all the photos I saw weren't even very good so I would stay clear.

It seems that some of these bigger agencies get away with murder because they have lawyers who can get them out of anything. Who even knows if this will stay posted. I choose to go with a smaller agency. They still required I shoot pictures but I got to choose my own photographer. It has only been a few months and everything is so slow I dobn't know if I made the right decision but I couldn't have afforded that one way or the other.

Good luck-

Out of curiosity, who is the photographer they are sending all you guys to?

quote:

Originally posted by philly:
I experienced the same thing with Abrams. I went in a while back. I was told they use to have a guy Brad who was in charge of the kids but he had a falling out with the owners because they were both getting kickbacks from all the photographers and acting instructors they were requiring their clients to shoot with. He was fired and set up his own agency called Maverick. Jeremy took his place and they are up to their old tricks again. I have three kids and was told they wouldn't take us without professional pictures which I do understand is the norm in this business, but they wanted 1000 per child for pictures and head shots. I can't imagine that being the going rate is it?

When I told them it was to much their photographer said he would give me a 20% discount and all the photos I saw weren't even very good so I would stay clear.

It seems that some of these bigger agencies get away with murder because they have lawyers who can get them out of anything. Who even knows if this will stay posted. I choose to go with a smaller agency. They still required I shoot pictures but I got to choose my own photographer. It has only been a few months and everything is so slow I dobn't know if I made the right decision but I couldn't have afforded that one way or the other.

Good luck-

Ironic. two new posters.

As I stated before, we have been with Abrams since 2005. Worked with both Brad and Jeremy commercially and Wendi and Jen theatrically. We love them.
NEVER have we been asked to get new head shots nor to use a particular photographer. I agree with Morgin....new posters. Highly doubt these "accounts."

Hi This is Jeremy Apody of Abrams Artists Agency and I'd like to respond to these false accusations posted.

A) We do not have an in-house photographer

B) I have a 2 page list of over 10 photographers that I give to everyone of my clients that I sign.

C) I try my best to work with what photos my client has and try to have them spend the least amount of money possible, especially in the economic situation we are in right now I know how tight finances can be.

D) I tell all my clients not to print up any hard copy photos to give to me. With everything being done electronically now a days I make sure to tell all my clients not to spend the extra money on printing up a lot of head shots as its not necessary.

E) Many of my clients I have on my roster go with their own photographers and I'm totally fine with that if its something we can market to casting directors.

So for someone to post that I wouldn't sign their kid unless they go with a certain photographer is absolutely absurd and ridiculous and I just wanted to clear up these untrue allegations.

that goes to show you that you never know who is reading these boards be very careful about what you post

quote:

Originally posted by J.A.:
Hi This is Jeremy Apody of Abrams Artists Agency and I'd like to respond to these false accusations posted.

A) We do not have an in-house photographer

B) I have a 2 page list of over 10 photographers that I give to everyone of my clients that I sign.

C) I try my best to work with what photos my client has and try to have them spend the least amount of money possible, especially in the economic situation we are in right now I know how tight finances can be.

D) I tell all my clients not to print up any hard copy photos to give to me. With everything being done electronically now a days I make sure to tell all my clients not to spend the extra money on printing up a lot of head shots as its not necessary.

E) Many of my clients I have on my roster go with their own photographers and I'm totally fine with that if its something we can market to casting directors.

So for someone to post that I wouldn't sign their kid unless they go with a certain photographer is absolutely absurd and ridiculous and I just wanted to clear up these untrue allegations.

THIS is a good agent. I hope you stick around and post once in a while.

Just wanted to remind everybody that you can click on the little yellow triangle to the right of a post and alert the moderator if it is inappropriate/flaming or advertising.

I think most educated actor parents know that Abrams is the tops and will disregard other misinformation.

One of my friend's kids just signed with Jeremy and loves him. He did not make her make any new photos.. just was happy to use the ones she already had. He has been wonderful with her and she is very pleased.. Heck she even tempted me to speak to him! (We are happy where we are).
And as far as publishing on this board why Brad left Abrams is clearly inappropriate. Only Brad knows that true story and if someone wants to know why he left, they can just give him a call. And to judge Jeremy for trying to fill his rosters (if that is what he does) at places like IPOP or the Grove or anywhere else people find talent (airports?) shows the jealousy of the poster. Our agent (who is not Jeremy or Abrams) does a fantastic job with our children and yet I assume is spending what time she has trying to fill the many holes in rosters that happen due to changes.. especially in this economy. And if agents get paid to come here or there, so be it.. So do many professionals in similiar situations. Stop beating up on people without any evidence or backing. And to Jeremy who signed on and wrote.. BRAVO. Good for you.

I've got to give Jeremy a vote of confidence. I know a kid he's tried to get work for. The kid is talented, and the mother is one of the worst and most overbearing stage moms / momagers you will ever encounter. Other agencies have turned the kid away because of the mother, but he puts up with the abuse and still sends the kid out. People that have tried to work with the kid refer to the mother as Momzilla and come to the conclusion that the talent does not warrant the trouble. Jeremy hasn't reached that point yet, so if you have talented children and are reasonable parents, you could have a long and happy career with an agent like him.