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magicman02 Veteran user 304 Posts |
I am curious because I have heard mix reviews from pros, is it or isn't it a bad ideal to sign a exclusive deal with an agent or agency and have them as your only representation? I know having a manager is different than an agent because manager are suppose to look out for you best interest, but I am curious the pros here who work with agent do you work on a show by show basis with the agent or agency, or are you sign with them to a exlcusive contract? Meaning you can't go anywhere else for representation until your contract is up.
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Exclusive agency is something I would be very careful about getting into. If the contract doesn't require that he be liable for 40 weeks/year of bookings, I would say he is not ready for prime time. (This is a long standing stipulation in union musician contracts for agency.) Not many agents can deliver that. It doesn't make them bad agents if you plan to stay unemployed a lot. Otherwise, why do you need their permission to work?
The ONLY thing an agent has to offer you is bookings. He gets paid for those anyway. I recommend a personal manager instead who also has a contractual limit on selling his services to others. Personal managers are generally better prepared to develope your professional career than agents are. Agents are very limited in their scope of effectiveness. In both cases, check out their references very thoroughly and avoid the ones who are not considerably more successful than you are. You would not sign an exclusive agreement with your auto mechanic or dentist! They have limitations that you don't need. Agents are the same. Exclusive agency rarely has much to offer either party in securing magic bookings. I only have forty-seven years in the professional entertainment industry. In that time I have never had an exclusive agency contract. Having a personal manager has worked best for me. Using agents is actually something I recommend. But agents are too short run in their orientation to build a career for the act. Let them deal with you through your personal manager. You need a long run plan; not just a booking. Booking agents don't offer that. Good Luck! Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Bob you are so right.
My thing with agents, and now ticket sellers here in town is this. IF you want an exclusive all you have to do is book me so much nobody else has a chance. Simple enough. (with ticket sellers obviously they sell enough nobody else can.). The reason not to go exclusive is also equally as simple. IF they can't deliever who pays the price? You in short. When they start keeping you busy, then keep them apraised daily of your schedule. Communicate with them so their job is easy. Funny thing is if they fail and breach the contract, you don't have any money to take legal action! So let them make you busy, but keep options open.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Doug Arden Special user 886 Posts |
Bob and Danny are absolutely right. Exclusive arrangements don't usually wotk to your advantage. I stay very busy keeping my options open.
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Danny,
That's it! If they have no investment, what do they care what your opportunity costs are? If they want a franchise, then BUY it! This is a business. There is no something for nothing. There is a cost associated with the inventory of goods and services for sale. Someone somewhere always pays for it. Why set yourself up to pay for it but not have the authority to sell it? I want agents that present offers. There are plenty of dependants already. Supporting the agent is his job. That was his decision to be an agent. He is not my dependant and I'm not interested in becoming his. We operate two separate businesses. Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Bob again right on. And to put an even finer point on the subject, which is usually unnecessary with me but here goes.
An exclusive agreement helps the AGENT and not you. It eliminates his competition for your time. It helps him tremendously. Even to the point of causing laziness. Familiarity breeds contempt. Of course you need a certain amount of familiarity to breed much of anything now don't you. Point is that it helps him and not you.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Zakari Asiago Regular user Panhandle of Florida 183 Posts |
It has been my experience that if you work for an agent you can not work the same event/venue/sponsor for at least one year ( sometimes longer). Unless you work it through that same agent.
IF you are going to sign an exclusive contract, be sure the agent will gurantee a certain number of weeks or salary.
Zakari Asiago
401 South Ave. Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Many agents will try to tell you that but it is legally unatainable and unenforcable.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-03-02 01:19, Zakari Asiago wrote: That is totally determined by the contract you sign. My personal experience is that the buyer usually uses the same agent all the time. And that is the reason for the recurring contract. Agents don't own principals. It would be a conflict of interest to charge for artist representation in the same contract. If it is the principal's agent, you're on your own. You only pay your agent. Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
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