Firstly, even if both are of any quality, one or the other is not more likely to get you more work. Even with an agent the only person likely to get you more work is you. An agent is simply a go-between. Read this posting on Finding An Agent.

Follow the advise of dirhelm also. You need to make your own evaluation based on their approach to you and you have to meet them to do that.

Also, do searches on Google for the agencies, see what you can find. Do look through their websites and then try to see if you can verify their claims elsewhere.

Additionally, I hope some clients do follow up with posts here also. There is nothing like getting some inside info, but take it with a pinch of salt - as dirhelm says, individual experiences can vary quite a lot.

At the end of the day, with or without an agent, you still need to prove your worth and find the work. An agent is not there to do it for you. They represent you.

Payment should always be the industry awards rates. Check out the MEAA web site for these - www.alliance.org.au - follow the resources links for more. What may differ would be the commission rate they deduct from your pay in return for their services. You and the agency both get paid at the same time and that is at the whim of the production companies, not the agent. Sometimes payment is delayed until the end of filming, editing what-have-you. It's a pretty dire situation but until some massive grunt can be applied to the issue, it is not likely to change anytime soon.

Agencies only care about those actors they see as Earning Potential - they have to make a profit after all. If you can convince the agent that you are good quality, you are dedicated, hard-working, committed, punctual, and always prepared to develop your skills, and most importantly, are not above yourself (the I'm already good enough attitude) then they will be putting your name forward if ever opportunity. If you don't keep your face in theirs, they will quickly think you are not dedicated enough and therefor a risk to them. Don't let that happen.

Lastly, you ask if they have influence in Hollywood. No, very little if any. Most of the big budget casting will done through Casting Consultants (reps for the producers)who then contact (usually) several casting agencies or additional State based Casting consultants. I do not think than any one Agency has much direct input into big budget Australian films let alone Hollywood. Its all about the feeding chain.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins

Home Page
Yahoo Blog Page