Agents Packaging

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	Topic: Agents Packaging
Posted : 13/08/10 / Views : 943 / Replies : 4 /
carolineboulton 285 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	Hello all, I've been pondering (slow work day) about the bigger agents packaging their clients to casting directors and producers. I've heard people say it happens a lot, especially when you are with one of the big agents but just wondered if anyone knows anymore about it or has been packaged themselves? Does it actually go on? or is it just a myth? I'm just curious as I've heard it does happen but I don't know anyone that has ever been packaged ever! Is it something no one would actually admit to if they do get packaged? I'm rather curious....! x Editorial comment I worked for a big agency that repped DPs, Production Designers etc. It was a pretty established practice - you can have A client on the project if we can bundle in B client... Simon

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	Reply #1
Posted : 13/08/10
pole 320 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	Yes, It happens all the time! It can work for you or against depending naturally on the circumstances. That's show business !

	Reply #2
Posted : 13/08/10
leeravitz 1543 posts last on: 4 hours send private reply	I think it is quite likely, although I have no experience of it myself. But Pole used to be an agent for a time himself, I think? So I would assume he is speaking from experience! I also know that it is not uncommon for large agencies to work directly against the principles that are held to apply for smaller agencies in terms of taking on people of similar types. Whereas in small agencies, this is considered a no-go area (essentially, because the agent needs to cover as many potential casting bases as possible, avoid potential ructions between clients over 'being put forward for the same jobs', and help them to maximise the use of their time and potential profits), in big agencies, the opposite is true. There will often be four or five people on the books who meet similar casting criteria, and can be sent en masse to the same casting in a kind of 'carpet bombing' exercise working on the basis that, if one client can't secure the deal, then another might. The other thing that is obvious about big agencies is that the truly biggest of the big dominate casting director 'wish lists' anyhow, and a CD may easily enough request that Agency A provide all talent to the production because a) they are trustworthy and b) they have hundreds worth of actors on their books, all of whom may be sourced effectively by the agency (thus saving the CD much of the work) and fill virtually all available slots. If you have ever tried the rather sobering exercise of taking down a list of actors used in a mainstream TV episode (from IMDB, perhaps, or directly) and then gone to the effort of checking who represents them on Spotlight (I know, this is hardly a very productive use of time), it quickly becomes apparent that even the bit parts tend to be represented by the same major agencies that the 'stars' are provided by. And only a small number of agencies are generally used. I imagine that 'packaging' happens regularly, too - although, as I've said, I wouldn't have thought this sort of 'arm twisting' is necessarily needed when most major agencies can probably win airtime for many of their clients by simply attaching themselves to a production, and being given a certain amount of autonomy by the CD! It is know, of course, that even at the lower levels of the industry, agencies can secure exclusive deals, ensuring that only their clients are given first refusal on any given project, be that a TV documentary, a short film etc. It's clearly beneficial from the point of view of the agency, and provided they are trusted, it saves time for the production company. This tends to be the sort of thing that actors complain about...until such time as they win a part without audition because their agent has secured an exclusivity deal for a specific project! Whether or not there is supposed to be a 'code of conduct' in place that considers this kind of thing to be frowned upon within the profession, I'm not sure...but I imagine, like most things in the industry, it's more honoured in the breach than the observance!

Reply #2

Posted : 13/08/10

leeravitz
1543 posts
last on: 4 hours
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I think it is quite likely, although I have no experience of it myself. But Pole used to be an agent for a time himself, I think? So I would assume *he* is speaking from experience!

I also know that it is not uncommon for large agencies to work directly against the principles that are held to apply for smaller agencies in terms of taking on people of similar types. Whereas in small agencies, this is considered a no-go area (essentially, because the agent needs to cover as many potential casting bases as possible, avoid potential ructions between clients over 'being put forward for the same jobs', and help them to maximise the use of their time and potential profits), in big agencies, the opposite is true. There will often be four or five people on the books who meet similar casting criteria, and can be sent en masse to the same casting in a kind of 'carpet bombing' exercise working on the basis that, if one client can't secure the deal, then another might.

The other thing that is obvious about big agencies is that the truly biggest of the big dominate casting director 'wish lists' anyhow, and a CD may easily enough request that Agency A provide all talent to the production because a) they are trustworthy and b) they have hundreds worth of actors on their books, all of whom may be sourced effectively by the agency (thus saving the CD much of the work) and fill virtually all available slots. If you have ever tried the rather sobering exercise of taking down a list of actors used in a mainstream TV episode (from IMDB, perhaps, or directly) and then gone to the effort of checking who represents them on Spotlight (I know, this is hardly a *very* productive use of time), it quickly becomes apparent that even the bit parts tend to be represented by the same major agencies that the 'stars' are provided by. And only a small number of agencies are generally used.

I imagine that 'packaging' happens regularly, too - although, as I've said, I wouldn't have thought this sort of 'arm twisting' is necessarily needed when most major agencies can probably win airtime for many of their clients by simply attaching themselves to a production, and being given a certain amount of autonomy by the CD!

It is know, of course, that even at the lower levels of the industry, agencies can secure exclusive deals, ensuring that only their clients are given first refusal on any given project, be that a TV documentary, a short film etc. It's clearly beneficial from the point of view of the agency, and provided they are trusted, it saves time for the production company.

This tends to be the sort of thing that actors complain about...until such time as they win a part without audition because their agent has secured an exclusivity deal for a specific project!

Whether or not there is supposed to be a 'code of conduct' in place that considers this kind of thing to be frowned upon within the profession, I'm not sure...but I imagine, like most things in the industry, it's more honoured in the breach than the observance!

	Reply #3
Posted : 13/08/10
pole 320 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	Yes Lee that's correct,I was an agent from Nov 2002- Sep 2005. Your points are quite accurate that certain agencies having arrangements with casting depts/ directors for example; a client you rep is booked & you agree that your lower profile clients will be cast in the support roles as part of the deal or your profile client doesn't want the gig for one reason or another after contracts have been exchanged & you replace them with someone else within the agency who looks & can play the part just as well; A double 'whammey' fee opportunity! Ofcourse there remains opportunities in the market place & it's up to the individual to find them or as one high profile casting director said to me'If your good,we're find you'! In other words...Keep pitching! 'POLE'

Reply #3

Posted : 13/08/10

pole
320 posts
last on: 07/02/12
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Yes Lee that's correct,I was an agent from Nov 2002- Sep 2005. Your points are quite accurate that certain agencies having arrangements with casting depts/ directors for example; a client you rep is booked & you agree that your lower profile clients will be cast in the support roles as part of the deal or your profile client doesn't want the gig for one reason or another after contracts have been exchanged & you replace them with someone else within the agency who looks & can play the part
just as well; A double 'whammey' fee opportunity!
Ofcourse there remains opportunities in the market place & it's up to the individual to find them or as one high profile casting director said to me'If your good,we're find you'!
In other words...Keep pitching!
'POLE'

	Reply #4
Posted : 13/08/10
anonymous	Someone package me as a Z list option please, I have no shame!! Whatever it takes!! :P x

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