Why do agents charge a percentage on jobs that the actor booked themselves ?
filed in One Bytes on Dec.31, 2009
Hi, I have an agent, and around here, agents not only charge you 20% on jobs that they book for you, but if you book jobs on your own, the actor is supposed to give them 20% of that also. It is standard practice around here. What is the 20% for ? They didn’t get you the job, so why does the actor have to pay them a fee ?
December 31st, 2009 on 4:56 am
Won’t it depend upon the terms of contract between agent and actor?
Did you sign into a monthly-rent type deal?
December 31st, 2009 on 4:56 am
Usually agents don’t demand the payment if you booked the jobs yourself but they do hope for it. As an actor it is treating your agent with respect and more importantly it is an opportunity to show them you are bookable. If you booked a job whether with them or on your own your agent sees that you can and do book jobs and they will submit you for more.
But I get the frustration actors feel about paying when they did the work. When I was working in casting when an actor submitted themselves but we saw they had an agent we would ask them if they wanted us to negotiate with them or their agent. In some ways it benefits you to have your agent handle the paperwork etc and all you have to do is show up. An agents job in not finished after submitting you. They will need to nail down your payment, make sure they have your call info and more importantly know you received payment.
But truly the main reason behind that is showing your agent respect as they do after all represent you. However, if your agent REQUIRES it then I would look at what kind of agency you are working with. Technically it is not a requirement but an act of good faith.