VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

mythwoman

Hey Everyone,

I've been fortunate to have some work lined up for me these past few weeks, all of which I got on my own thanks to the fabulous guidance and advice from folks here and Voices.com

But now I'm under to pressure to get an agent in Dallas which has been ultra difficult for me for years. I've started meeting with a few and they are all legit, SAG franchise agencies. However, each that I've met so far wants a percentage of ALL my future voicework, even jobs I get on my own which sounds like robbery to me.

I'm told constantly by local talent how getting an agent means you'll have a chance at bigger paying jobs. But there is no gurantee I'll book jobs with the agent so why should I give them money I made without their help?

Yes I know I need to remember that the agent works for me, not vice versa. Those whom I've encountered don't think that way at all sadly.

I have yet to meet the rest of the agents who represent voice talent in Dallas. Until then I would like to know if anyone else has gone through my situation in Texas or elsewhere. And what do you recommend?

Take care all!

Mary aka mythwoman

davidmonteath · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 12:29 am Post subject:

Hi, Obviously, I can't comment on your precise situation, but each time I have agreed to be represented by any agency, I have stressed to them that what they are paid for is the work that I get through them, not EVERYTHING.. I have absolutely no wish to pay anyone 15% plus VAT (sales tax) for work that I have busted my a** to get. You are absolutely right to remember that you employ them, not the other way round, the reason you agree to their representation is because of their reputation and therefore contacts.

I'm curious to know who it is thats putting pressure on you to get an agent, in my experience, producers would rather deal with you direct as they can work a better deal.

Whatever you choose to do, good luck!

David
_________________
www.davidmonteath.com

Sponsor of Voice APpreciation Indulgence Day 2010

Proud member of Self Appointed Voice-Over Experts Discussion Group - overenthusiastic pontification a speciality.

Philip Banks · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 1:18 am Post subject:

You pay them for everything? This suggests that the old Groucho Marx quote is bang on target "It wouldn't want to belong to any club that would have me as a member". If you are keen to negotiate with these "pay all" agents then you need the confidence to establish what's in it for you.

Based on your income from Voice Over work so far how much would you be paying them? Why would you do that? They need to sell themselves to you not the other way around.

ronharpervoice · Club 300 Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 347 Location: Ohio

Yeah, that sounds a little off the chart. I don't klnow who you've been meeting with, but when I think of agents in Dallas, I think of Kim Dawson. She probably has the best roster in Texas.
_________________
"When I was your age, we had to dial to get online"
===============
www.ronharper.com
www.ronharper.com/blog
www.videosonyourwebsite.com

mythwoman · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 7:43 am Post subject:

Thanks for your thoughts guys.
Ron, Kim Dawson is one of the big ones in Dallas to represent voice but lately a lot of their talent is leaving them, I know because I met a handful already who told me so.
I'll just have to keep looking around and hopefully someone will be smart and learn to negotiate properly.

Take care all!

Mary aka mythwoman

Bruce · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:38 am Post subject:

From my experience, it is fair for an agent to require all work in THEIR MARKET come through them, and with my local agent I have an understanding that my previous clients are grandfathered, meaning I don't have to turn them over -- although in many cases it's nice to have an agent do the heavy negotiations; they can say really nice things about you that you'd find difficult to say yourself.

I also produce a fair amount of my work, and since I'm "hiring myself" I'm free not to go through that agent per our agreement.

B
_________________
VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

mythwoman · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:31 am Post subject:

Part of my fear is that the agent will try an negotiate more money which would be good for me but this might jeopardize the relationship I built with them. For example, I do dubbing for animation and while the pay isn't fantastic it's better than any other job I've ever had and I love it so much. However, the last agent I met told me that not did I have to surrender a percentage to him but that if the company didn't agree to HIS terms I'd have to drop them. The agent is new to Texas and has experience as an assistant working at DPN (formerly ICM) in LA. Texas is NOTHING like LA. Some companies here cannot afford what agents ask for out there.

And besides, I want an agent that I can feel comfortable with and receive a smile from now and then. The agent guy I met seemed too intense and I felt like I was shaking hands with a statue instead of a flesh and blood person. Business is business but it doesn't have to be cold-hearted.

Or am I being too judgmental?

Mary aka mythwoman

ricevoice · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:58 am Post subject:

If you're that uncomfortable with someone, do you really want them representing you?
_________________
Chris Rice - Noisemaker
www.ricevoice.com

mythwoman · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 10:04 am Post subject:

No, I don't want someone like that to represent me at all. My worry is that all the Dallas agents will be like that and in order to get auditions for bigger jobs I need one, don't I? Some folks I've submitted my materials to won't give me a chance because I'm unrepresented.

I haven't met them all yet but there's only about four others left who get voice work, the rest are modeling or on-camera.

Mary aka mythwoman

CarynClark · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 11:10 am Post subject:

Hmmm....

I have an agent in TX. The only sticky thing with her is that she has exclusivity in TX (meaning, I can't have any other TX agents). She does garner work that's generally at scale.

Here's an idea... not that this solves your current problem, but it's a thought I just had. Next time you approach a client who turns you down b/c you don't have representation, why don't you approach an agent you're comfortable with (and, does it have to be local? I don't have any local agents - the closest local agent I have is 4 hours away.) and tell them, look, I have people that want to work with me, but they want to run the business through an agent. Would you be interested? Then, determine the terms with the agent. Don't just sign their blanket contract - create terms you're comfortable with. If you're bringing them a client or two right then, I would think they'd be willing to do that. I mean, you've done the work in bringing the client and you're handing the relationship to them on a platter.

I do know people who do pay their agent(s) and percentage of all work they get, whether it's through the agency or not. So, I guess it's not unheard of, but I don't know that it's common.
_________________
Caryn Clark... The Hip Chick Voice!

"A positive mental attitude and having faith in your ability is quite different from being irresponsible and downright stupid." - Dave

mythwoman · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 12:34 pm Post subject:

Hi Caryn,

DB Talent is in Austin. And all voice talent must have ISDN to join with them. I have neither ISDN or phone patch. My credits are quite small so I won't be able to afford the equipment for quite a while.

I've heard great things about DB Talent but my focus for now is Dallas.
Thanks for sharing your info though.

Mary aka mythwoman

CarynClark · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 12:41 pm Post subject:

Hi Mary,

I'm just wondering why you need a "local" agent?

Caryn
_________________
Caryn Clark... The Hip Chick Voice!

"A positive mental attitude and having faith in your ability is quite different from being irresponsible and downright stupid." - Dave

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 12:58 pm Post subject:

Mary, if you have a cel phone and a hand-free set, you have "phone patch".
_________________
Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com

mythwoman · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 12:59 pm Post subject:

Caryn,

I was signed to a few out of state agents but they were difficult to work with because of my extreme inexperience at the time. I'm also non-union and as said before I don't have ISDN or phone patch.

I probably should have mentioned that my acting teachers are encouraging me to pursue on camera as well as voiceover. In Texas agents usually want talent to be proficient in more than one thing. On some agent websites I see models also listed under actors, some with only two ultra small credits (like extra work) and then one training credit. I have years of training in theatre, camera and voiceover but I don't model. Do these women get work? I don't know.

And then the rest of the sites will have actors under voice talent and vice versa (only a hand few do just one market).

It's my belief that after I develop more experience working with a local agent then I'll have more confidence with out of state agents.

I just booked my first commercial ever with Voices.com, the rest of my voice experience is animation, the majority being anime. I'm slowly getting into other animated projects in Dallas.

Does that answer your question?

Mary aka mythwoman

mythwoman · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 1:02 pm Post subject:

Jeff,

Where do you get a hand free set? I lack knowledge when it comes to cell phone accessories? Unless, do you mean that ear pod thing? How much do they cost?

Otherwise, yeah I have a cell phone. I thought it was a box of some sort.

Thanks,

Mary aka mythwoman