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Hi all know im probably opening a can of worms here but here goes!!!!!
I am very happy with current agent at school, but have been asked by another very well known agency if they can represent my son. I know about you cant have 2 licences butt i do know other kids who have 2 and as long as you keep everyone in the loop then hope this is ok. By the way i have already last year,tentatively told both what i would like to do. Any advice or if anyone in same position.

If neither aren't sole agencies then there really should be no problem. If, on the other hand this is not the case then I think you'd potentially be playing a dangerous game.

How do you know if an agent is a sole agent? Our contract doesn't say either way.

If either or both are sole agents then I wouldn't go down that road
If they are not then in theory you could but if they are getting similar work it would just be extra money you would have to pay and duplications of submissions.
Some have modelling agents and separate agents for performance.

Depends if the 2 agencies get different briefs I guess and if they are not sole agencies. I know a few people who are with more than 1 agency (non sole) and seems ok for them, don't think i'd pay high fees though as a lot of the briefs will be the same. Also can be a problem if both agents are submitting for castings that clash, could be tricky as its all last minute. If you like both agencies and they are happy for you to be with both then can't see it being a problem.

Agree with everyone else. In my opinion it is better to have sole agency representation as an actor. If you are an extra it's a bit different. Some actors have separate representation for voice over work (and modelling work if they do that).

Definitely don't try to do it without telling the agents. If they are not sole agents they will be used to the idea of dual/multiple representation anyway.

My guess is that you would probably know if your agent wanted sole representation - but if you want to be represented by more than one agent, you could always ask. I can't see any advantages - only disadvantages. Moving from one agent to a better one is fine of course - but if you are happy with your current one, I'd be inclined to stick with that. What does the new agent have to offer that your current one doesn't?

Most CDs would prefer not to have multiple/dual submissions for the same actor - so CDs don't regard multiple agency representation as a good thing.

If the "well known agent" has asked if they can represent your son - did they know he was already represented? Did you give them the impression you were looking for new representation? It's considered rather bad form to try to poach actors! How many do they have on their books? Have they seen your son perform? What were the circumstances surrounding the offer? If they do not insist on sole representation then I would not necessarily consider them to be top actors' agent - however well known they are.

Thankyou something to think about!

Another thing to think about is that both agents can take a % of any fee your ds gets, even if they were not the agent who did the negotiation, especially if he was submitted by both agents for the same job and he was lucky enough to get the part.

Don't all agencies adhere to the same commissions though?

spellingbee wrote:Don't all agencies adhere to the same commissions though?

Not necessarily. And if you have 2 agents, both are due their fee, so you pay double.

Deb x