No More Up Front Fees!

[obsteve]

Sorry if this has been dealt with before, but you know my thoughts on the low down leeches who charge aspiring young actors and their parents for casting information and audition "opportunities".

There have been changes to the law in October, regarding how agencies can charge fees. Details below, from the direct.gov website (I have put links on the links page).

From Directgov.

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Charging fees

Employment agencies can charge you a fee when looking for entertainment or modelling work under two circumstances:

commission or fees from earnings from work the agency found for you
a fee for including your details in a publication or on a website (not allowed if you are looking for work as a photographic or fashion model)

An agency can only deduct sums from your earnings for work the agency found for you provided that they have set out the details of the fee and services in writing.
What happens if you agree to pay a fee

If the agency is finding you work as an actor, background artist, dancer, extra, musician, singer or other performer and you agree to pay to be included in a publication or website:

the agency will not be able to take any money from you for 30 days from entering into an agreement
you will have the right during this 30 day period to withdraw from the contract
you will have to be shown the information about you which will be included and you will have seven days to object
you will not be able to be charged until this seven day period has elapsed or any reasonable objections have been dealt with (even if the 30 day cooling off period has elapsed)
if you are charged an upfront fee you will have the right to a refund if your name is not published and made available to potential hirers, 60 days after payment has been made

Your agency must tell you about all of these requirements in writing when you enter into a contract where upfront fees are charged.

In addition, if your agency offers to provide you with photographic or audio visual services, as an additional service, you will be entitled to a 30 day cooling off period.

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