Notice Period

John Thacker
Actor

Hi,

I'm having a bit of issues with agents at the moment. I'm currently with a young person agency who I've been with since I was 14 years old, I'm now 23 and the work has obviously been getting less and less and nothing for nearly 9 months, I've been searching for new representation and I've found an agent that I really like and has offered me representation.

After I got offered it, I emailed my old agent a very friendly and appreciative email to thank them for the past 9 years to discover a SIX month notice period. I was very surprised as the contract was a good few years ago, I replied asking for a reduction clearly outlining that it's in both our best interests as this is a young performers and children agency and I'm aged 23 and they have refused. I'm kind of stuck on what to do, they take a £10 a month admin fee so I'm a little dubious to think maybe that's all they want for six months.

I'm also unsure how much of a reaction they would make if I just ignored the period and made the move without adhering to the notice? As they are clearly not going to get me anything for the next six months, so it's just really frustrating. Any advice would be amazing?

Thanks again,
John Thacker


  • 5 years ago
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Private User
This profile is private

It’s against the law to charge for representation, it always has a been, agents take money from commission.

Leave this agent and alert equity to them.

David


  • 5 years ago
  • 1
User Deleted
This profile has been archived

It's not illegal to charge fees but it seems to correlate that those that do are either scams or not strong agencies as they can't generate income off of commission.

Do they represent you on Spotlight? That will be your main issue as you will need to change rep on there and that needs to be confirmed through Spotlight.

The only loop hole I can think of is at 14 you would have at least had a countersignature as you were a child and should have had a renewal when you turned 18. That could be discussed maybe.


  • 5 years ago
  • 2
Fiz Marcus
Actor

I believe that if your agent is a member of the PMA they say that once an actor has given notice they should be free to leave and not be held to a notice period. It is common practice for your old agent to send your new agent a list of 'protected projects', these are jobs that your old agent has submitted you for and should any of these come to fruition, commission would be due to your old agent. In terms of letting Spotlight know that you are changing agents, it is up to the actor to contact Spotlight and inform them I think rather than the agent. I agree with comments above that any agent charging a client anything other than commission on jobs that you are doing, is to be viewed with suspicion. The only exception to this would be if you were a member of a co -op and paid a monthly sub, but that is a completely different situation.


  • 5 years ago
  • 3
John Thacker
Actor

Thank you all for your advice. Luckily I’ve managed to resolve this with the new agent who was fantastic and really understanding and after some advice from equity to ease my mind.

I’ve already sorted it with Spotlight so that wasn’t the issue as I contacted them directly, more in if I could get into any trouble with them being awkward about the outrageously long period. Yes I completely agree about the admin fee, it’s a recent change to the agency (which isn’t a co-op) and was a big push for me to leave.

Thanks again,
John Thacker


  • 5 years ago
  • 4
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