Hello,

I'm bringing my discussion from "Secret Agent Man" board over here for everyone's benefit -- or at least those of us who don't live in the major markets. . . You can find the original post under the same topic on that board.http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6031061/m/474109551

Secret Agent Man says an emphatic "NO FEES". But "The Working Actor" Jackie says this:


"I was shocked when I discovered that, yes, agents in what are referred to as “smaller markets” – meaning, per SAG, anywhere but Los Angeles and New York – can apply for a waiver to charge actors a $100 fee for the upkeep of websites, making a company CD to advertise clients, and other digital marketing. The review process for such a waiver is intensive – approval must be given by the local Branch Council, the Regional Executive Director, the National Agents Relations Committee, and the National Director of Agencies before it can take effect. As such, these waivers are quite rare. The waivers are meant to increase Guild work opportunities in less active markets. How they do this is a bit of a mystery."

http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6031061/m/162106901?r=162106901

I'd really like to get this cleared up as it is apparent to me that ALL CHILD AGENTS IN MY AREA CHARGE FEES!! That goes for management agecies too. SAG/AFTRA/ATA - doesn't matter; It costs anywhere from $45 to $100. Some call it a database fee, others a one-time registration fee, or an Introductory Workshop fee. I don't know what to think anymore. MUST I go to a NY Agent just to get my 10 y.o. DD work in DC/Baltimore??

P.S. -- I'm not opposed to paying a reasonable fee to an agent who is honest and hard working and is just trying help cover overhead expenses in a smaller market where 10% commission may not be all that much. I just don't want to be had.

Secret Agent Man defers to The Working Actor:

Agent Man says: "Based on Jackie's research, I would have no objection to paying a small one time fee for new clients - especially if the union allows it."

Even some of the (BIG) NY agents & managers charge a fee if you want to be on their websites. It's an administrative fee and it is usually because they outsource the upkeep of their websites to an independent service Provider (webmaster). The same goes for the yearly book of modeling agencies but these fees or participation are not mandatory. If you dont want to be in the book/on the site, just decline.
Use common sense when trying to navigate whether a fee is appropriate or you are just being scammed. A small (one time)administrative fee to get your picture in the modeling book or up on the website seems reasonable, after all, agencies are not making money on you unless you book so you are essentially just marketing yourself.
However: classes, headshots, large join-up fees etc. should never be something an agency requires you to pay THEM for. You DO need headshots and classes are also a plus but usually your agent can recommend several reputable providers of those services and it is up to you to pick which one. If they are pushing you to get headshots from one particular photographer or require that you take classes they are offering, then that is a serious red flag.
On the flip side, if a kid is not booking or doing poorly over a long course of time, an agent might suggest you take a class to hone up on some commercial skills/slating/auditioning etc. But again, it wouldnt be the AGENT offering these classes and there would usually be a decent amount of choices offered. You would ultimately be the decider of where to take a class or go for headshots.

UPDATE on SAG Agency in DC area.

When I questioned their policy of having parents pay for a "mandatory parent workshop" they said: "Unless your daughter is ALREADY a SAG/ AFTRA member, then it's required to take the parent workshop."

They also encouraged parents to enroll the kids in the Agency's acting/auditioning classes ($250 & up). The owner said, "The classes aren't mandatory, but when I submit kids to auditions, the ones who are prepared and trained have a better chance of getting a role, so of course I'm going send the ones who are most likely to be successful." As true as that statment is ... I thought it shouldn't have come from the owner of the agency who also offers paid classes. It sounded like "If you want to be on the top of the sumbission pile, take our classes." When I pointed out that since they are the ONLY SAG agency in the area, it seemed like a conflict of interest for them to do training classes as well as represent talent, regardless of their assurances that SAG had given them approval for it -- Then I got a huffy indignant reply and they said my daughter "wasn't a good fit for them" after all.

Maybe they are legit, maybe not. (They are listed on SAG's site under DC area). Either way, I guess we don't have to worry about it now.