Not the best start

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	Topic: Not the best start
Posted : 06/01/10 / Views : 1959 / Replies : 12 /
RebeccaProbyn 1208 posts last on: 04/02/12 send private reply	I was just informed by The Spotlight that my agency has closed down. Now this may be an error, but the fact I have not had any response from my agent for weeks I tend to fear that it is true. What gets me is not that the agency has folded but they didnt even have the respect to inform me I have contacted equity's legal department as I guess this is the best thing for me to do. Hopefully its all a big mistake :( Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I just feel so let down. Happy New Year!

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	Reply #1
Posted : 04/01/10
ClareCameron 212 posts last on: 6 hours send private reply	Ah, Beccs, so sorry to hear that; it's happened to me previously with the agent having been fraudulent with money and it's even worse when it comes out of the blue. I suspect it's a horribly common phenomonen particlaurly in the current economic climes. Tough, I know, but look at it is having shed what was probably a not very profitable relationship. Work out how much work you got yourself vs how much they got you and you may well find yourself regarding it is a new lease of life! And have a nice glass of vino tonight!

Reply #1

Posted : 04/01/10

ClareCameron
212 posts
last on: 6 hours
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Ah, Beccs, so sorry to hear that; it's happened to me previously with the agent having been fraudulent with money and it's even worse when it comes out of the blue. I suspect it's a horribly common phenomonen particlaurly in the current economic climes.

Tough, I know, but look at it is having shed what was probably a not very profitable relationship. Work out how much work you got yourself vs how much they got you and you may well find yourself regarding it is a new lease of life!

And have a nice glass of vino tonight!

	Reply #2
Posted : 04/01/10
RebeccaProbyn 1208 posts last on: 04/02/12 send private reply	Thanks Claire. Apparently they went under in September. Not even a phone call. So disrepectful. Probably better of in the long run!

	Reply #3
Posted : 04/01/10
leeravitz 1543 posts last on: 20 hours send private reply	Sorry to hear that Beccs - though what baffles me is the fact that they didn't even wish to inform you in any way, shape, manner or form. After all, traumatic and embarassing for them as the collapse of their agenting enterprise might be, they owe a duty of care to their clients to at least outline the fact that they are drawing to the end of the line, and that you may be required to seek new representation. Exactly the same rules should apply if an agent is thinking of dispensing with your representation: I would presume we would all take the trouble to let our agencies know if we were thinking of moving on to another agency in a similar situation - not present them with a fait accompli when they came to log in to our Spotlight page and find the references changed! I think alerting you goes beyond common courtesy - it is actually significant to you as a business professional because you need to know that this contract has now been revoked, and able to plan your own strategies ahead - sadly, I'm not sure what Equity can do in response other than comiserate (and perhaps blacklist for future reference). In a strange sense, I understand the 'need for secrecy' better if the agency were attempting to abscond with money - given that all that has happened appears to have been the fact that they have folded why on earth they couldn't even bring themselves to send out a round robin email to all clients, let alone a personal letter, is beyond me. As you say, probably better rid of them than otherwise - at least also when applying for new rep, you can state that the reason you 'left' your last agency was through no choice/fault of your own, which I would have thought would also go in your favour with others' sympathy!

Reply #3

Posted : 04/01/10

leeravitz
1543 posts
last on: 20 hours
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Sorry to hear that Beccs - though what baffles me is the fact that they didn't even wish to inform you in any way, shape, manner or form. After all, traumatic and embarassing for them as the collapse of their agenting enterprise might be, they owe a duty of care to their clients to at least outline the fact that they are drawing to the end of the line, and that you may be required to seek new representation. Exactly the same rules should apply if an agent is thinking of dispensing with your representation: I would presume we would all take the trouble to let our agencies know if we were thinking of moving on to another agency in a similar situation - not present them with a fait accompli when they came to log in to our Spotlight page and find the references changed!

I think alerting you goes beyond common courtesy - it is actually significant to you as a business professional because you need to know that this contract has now been revoked, and able to plan your own strategies ahead - sadly, I'm not sure what Equity can do in response other than comiserate (and perhaps blacklist for future reference).

In a strange sense, I understand the 'need for secrecy' better if the agency *were* attempting to abscond with money - given that all that has happened appears to have been the fact that they have folded why on earth they couldn't even bring themselves to send out a round robin email to all clients, let alone a personal letter, is beyond me.

As you say, probably better rid of them than otherwise - at least also when applying for new rep, you can state that the reason you 'left' your last agency was through no choice/fault of your own, which I would have thought would also go in your favour with others' sympathy!

	Reply #4
Posted : 04/01/10
Allan.OKeefe 710 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	I'm a little puzzled here .. do I take it, my lovely, that you haven't had any contact with your Office in over 3 months ?? and hopefully, not to rub salt in the wound, why not ???. It's imperative, for all who are reading this, that they keep a weekly contact with their Office. You are, after all, a Business !!! Look after it !!. Get on better terms with your Office, make that phone call weekly. In times like this, the last bloody thing we want happening, is our Agent folding up. What a way to start the New Year my love ... we all feel for you. Grit your teeth ... and say .. "maybe for the better".

Reply #4

Posted : 04/01/10

Allan.OKeefe
710 posts
last on: 07/02/12
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I'm a little puzzled here .. do I take it, my lovely, that you haven't had any contact with your Office in over 3 months ?? and hopefully, not to rub salt in the wound, why not ???.
It's imperative, for all who are reading this, that they keep a weekly contact with their Office. You are, after all, a Business !!! Look after it !!. Get on better terms with your Office, make that phone call weekly. In times like this, the last bloody thing we want happening, is our Agent folding up. What a way to start the New Year my love ... we all feel for you. Grit your teeth ... and say .. "maybe for the better".

	Reply #5
Posted : 05/01/10
classact1 229 posts last on: 01/02/12 send private reply	sorry to hear that ..guess that means all those lovely breakdoens for you from spotlight !

	Reply #6
Posted : 05/01/10
tailspin1 17 posts last on: 03/06/11 send private reply	Hi Rebecca, Yes, the unfortunate nature of the business in such that it is filled with many people either out to make a quick buck from you or demonstrate a complete lack of professionalism. There is little that can be done, I'm afraid' other than to advise other people in the same position. I had similar circumstances a couple of years back when my agency never bothered to contact me with regard to work and/or auditions that was coming through from my own efforts. I always referred interest through my agency completely unaware that they had apparently folded. It was only by chance that a particular offer of an audition came through personally after many weeks that I established they had made several approaches through the representing agent without success. I do feel for you and can only recall how I felt at the time of hearing but sadly, there is not much else that can be done. Equity will do little bearing in mind they have gone. They may (unlikely) list any and all directors as bad calls etc, however I suspect they will turn the other cheek. Do post whom was your representing agent and it may ring bells with other professionals who are not yet aware they have folded.

Reply #6

Posted : 05/01/10

tailspin1
17 posts
last on: 03/06/11
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Hi Rebecca,

Yes, the unfortunate nature of the business in such that it is filled with many people either out to make a quick buck from you or demonstrate a complete lack of professionalism.

There is little that can be done, I'm afraid' other than to advise other people in the same position. I had similar circumstances a couple of years back when my agency never bothered to contact me with regard to work and/or auditions that was coming through from my own efforts. I always referred interest through my agency completely unaware that they had apparently folded. It was only by chance that a particular offer of an audition came through personally after many weeks that I established they had made several approaches through the representing agent without success.

I do feel for you and can only recall how I felt at the time of hearing but sadly, there is not much else that can be done. Equity will do little bearing in mind they have gone. They may (unlikely) list any and all directors as bad calls etc, however I suspect they will turn the other cheek.

Do post whom was your representing agent and it may ring bells with other professionals who are not yet aware they have folded.

	Reply #7
Posted : 05/01/10
Allan.OKeefe 710 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	Good call, Tailspin !!!

	Reply #8
Posted : 05/01/10
Toni1 1387 posts last on: 3 hours send private reply	I got an email from my agent today to say they were stopping trading. Oh well.

	Reply #9
Posted : 06/01/10
NathanHead 992 posts last on: 26/01/12 send private reply	gosh there seems to be more than one! gah, i hope it isn't a pattern or we'll all have to form a massive CCPer co-op or something!

	Reply #10
Posted : 06/01/10
RebeccaProbyn 1208 posts last on: 04/02/12 send private reply	Hi Allan I was abroad working so the lack of contact was expected so as far as I knew upon my return I would be back in contact with them Thank you for all the kind comments Its just one of those things but I would have hoped they would have the common deceny to let me know. I still have had no response to any of my emails and any of the information I found out was from other actors formerly on their books. Toni so sorry to hear that! I am sure you will be snapped up soon enough x

Reply #10

Posted : 06/01/10

RebeccaProbyn
1208 posts
last on: 04/02/12
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Hi Allan I was abroad working so the lack of contact was expected so as far as I knew upon my return I would be back in contact with them

Thank you for all the kind comments

Its just one of those things but I would have hoped they would have the common deceny to let me know.

I still have had no response to any of my emails and any of the information I found out was from other actors formerly on their books.

Toni so sorry to hear that! I am sure you will be snapped up soon enough x

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