Does anyone know if you have more than one casting agency?

jess_filmbites | 11/12/2008 - 13:15

Australia | Actor | Billboard Bulletins

Just curious if you can be in more than one casting agencies books?

Applying for an agent... definition of "experience"?

equity for Australian actors and agents update letter

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Technically and Reality

Author: Labrug
Date: 11/12/2008 - 13:24

Technically and ethically, unless the services provided are distinctly different (Acting vs Modelling vs Dancing) then you should really only have one agent. With the recent union push to allow all agents to be given the same casting information from production companies, it would be rather inconvienient for both you and your agents if you got offered the same role from each agent you had. You can only accept one of them and as such you're going to &!$$ one or more of them off. It could black list you.

In reality, there is nothing stopping you - i.e. there is no law against it as such, it simply isn't very smart and I would not recommend it to anyone.

Absit invidia (and DFT No no no )

Jeff Watkins

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that makes a lot of

Author: jess_filmbites
Date: 11/12/2008 - 13:36

that makes a lot of sense
thanks a lot Smiling

Cast alongside

Author: crgwllms
Date: 11/12/2008 - 16:51

A few actors may have more than one agent if they really work in non-overlapping circles; like keeping a Perth agent at the same time as getting a Sydney agent.

The problems are:

Usually an agent won't really be bothered looking for work for you if they know you aren't in the vicinity. There's no point calling you to turn up to an audition if you're not in the state. But if you tend to roam around, it can be useful to have a local agent in your current city.

Depending on the size of the agency/size of the jobs they are sourcing, one agent should be able to keep tabs on national jobs anyway. My Perth agent has sent me to auditions in Sydney and Melbourne when I happened to be there and available to audition. (I didn't look for an eastern states agent because I had no intention of permanently relocating.)

They may both end up trying to get you auditions for the same job...there will be scheduling clashes and you will have to choose who represents you for any one job offer. The agent that misses out might feel put out and not feel like putting in the effort to line up work for you if you're going to choose another agent.
But some agencies (BBC in Perth for instance) specialise in corporate entertainment, variety acts, etc...and don't have anything much to do with theatre, or radio voiceovers, etc. So it can be useful to have agents who each specialise in completely different jobs...until they both want you on Thursday morning and your schedules clash again...

There are other avenues which can co-exist with having an agent look out for work for you. Getting your details into 'Showcast' is almost like having an agent...casting agents look at it and may request you to audition for films & TV.
Sending your resume/details to local casting agents may mean you can get asked to audition for certain jobs before your agent necessarily finds out.
You'd then need to come to an arrangement as to whether you get your agent to manage your contracts and details, and take a commission, or whether you sort it out yourself independently and leave them out of it.

Either way, make sure they know what the deal is.

It often gets said that your agent works for YOU, not the other way round....but that doesn't relieve you of the responsibility to be a good employer!

Cheers
Craig

~<8>-/====\---------

Doesn't make a not a sense

Author: i audition a lot (not verified)
Date: 12/12/2008 - 11:45

Doesn't make a not a sense actually.

There is confusion here regarding a "casting agent" and a "theatrical agent".

All performers are no the books of LOTS of "casting agents", but should be on the books of only one "theatrical agent".

The casting agent is the company, such as Prue's Zoo, that actually cast the project.

Say I make baked beans, and want to make an ad. I'd engage an advertising agency, they'd engaged a film production company. They would then send briefs to a casting agent. The casting agent sends briefs to the theatrical agent, who submits talent from their books (actors they represent) to be considered for an audition.

The casting agent conducts the auditions - auditioning talent the theatrical (otherwise known as a talent) agent has submitted.

The artist is represented by the theatrical/talent agent, not by the casting agent. The casting agent conducts the auditions and makes recommendations to the client (advertising agent, film production company, television network etc...) as to who is suitable for each role.

Only being known to one casting agent will really limit the number of jobs you're likely to audition for.

"With the recent union push

Author: henderson.e :) (not verified)
Date: 13/12/2008 - 05:30

"With the recent union push to allow all agents to be given the same casting information from production companies"... the same casting information as WHO? Has the union pushed for this in all states. Jeff would you mind exploring this in further detail?
Cheers

No Need - It's already up on the FAQ

Author: Labrug
Date: 13/12/2008 - 21:28

http://www.theatre.asn.au/blog/jon_claire_lee/equity_for_australian_actors_and_agents_update_letter

Absit invidia (and DFT No no no )

Jeff Watkins

Home Page
Yahoo Blog Page

SN Profile

Multiple Agents

Author: Tulipa (not verified)
Date: 13/12/2008 - 12:33

Hello Jess,

The explanation provided by 'I Audition a Lot' is correct and worth being clear about.

I'm assuming though that you are actually wanting to know if an actor can, or should, have two agents.

Having 2 agents is not illegal but it is unecessary and counter productive.

Agents are constantly being bombarded with actors who are seeking representation. An agent chooses to have particular people on their books for a particular reason. An agent only gets paid when one of their actors finds work. Jobs are scarce and agents spend a great deal of time and effort attempting to put actors in work. Trust me, a lot of behind the scenes (unpaid) work is often done by your agent on your behalf long before you get a call advising of a casting you have been invited to attend. Your agent invests a lot into you and it really is poor form to be 'seeing someone else (another agent) on the side'.

Agents also have their own network and communication channels. Many have been in the biz for years. Don't assume that any impropriety or dodgy dealings on your behalf won't be discovered. Good to keep a clean nose, good attitude and work towards a trusting, reliable relationship with one agent. Reliability and integrity counts for a lot.

It is acceptable however, to source and seek independant castings as well as having an agent. Some smaller film companies, music videos, corporate training film and media training type work is often advertised and cast outside of actor agencies. I make it a rule to keep my agent up to speed about any independant work I'm doing so he knows what my availability is. Sourcing independant work also demonstrates that I am active and involved in the industry and not just waiting by the phone for my agent to do all the work.

My advice? Find an agent that suits you and do you damned best to make the relationship work for you both.

Hope this helps.

Tulipa

thanks

Author: jess_filmbites
Date: 14/12/2008 - 21:54

i wasn't in any way planning to double cross any agents but thanks for the concern, i just really needed clarification but everyone has helped me now Smiling

very well put Tulipa

Author: I audition a lot (not verified)
Date: 14/12/2008 - 11:47

very well put Tulipa

Does anyone know if you have more than one casting agency?

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