Working with an actors agent, fashion model agent or TV talent agency

Help and advice for actors, models, dancers and singers new to the Film and Television industry in Australia and New Zealand.

Working with your agent... cont'd

Your agent’s job is to:

• Put you forward for auditions if you are appropriate for the role.

• Organise your audition times, call times and dates for shoots.

• Negotiate your pay and conditions according to your exposure and length of time shooting – do not discuss these details with ANYONE ELSE – particularly on the set.

• Follow up your rights to rollover fees (if, for example, a television advertisement plays for more than 12 months, you may get paid the same amount again) and extra fees if the ad is used in more places than originally agreed to.

• Pay you less their fee, plus GST if applicable and less a with-holding tax.

For these services they are paid a commission. Usually this is between 10 and 20%. Some Speakers agents charge 30% but no Acting or Modeling Agent should be charging this much so check the commission rates with several agents to make sure you're not being ripped off.

Modelling and Acting agents take a fee from your Gross negotiated rate. Entertainment Agents add their own fee so you should be quoting the fee you expect to be paid. Speaker Agents take a fee from your Gross as well.