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Is An Agent Necessary For
My Voiceover Career?Twitter Chat
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
12pmPT/2pmCT/3pmET
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Featuring
Bobbin Beam & Chuck Davis
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Q1: Why do people always think they
need an agent? #WoVoChat
A1: Agents are still the conduit to some of the best
paying jobs. #WoVoChat
@CourVo
A1: Having an agent carries a little bit of
legitimacy/status in the business. #WoVoChat
@CourVo
A1: For some, it’s a sign of “having arrived” in the big
time (not necessarily true). #WoVoChat
@CourVo
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A1: It’s old school. That used to be the main way vo talent
got work. #WoVoChat
@CourVo
A1: As an unrepresented talent, I know there are good,
high-paying opportunities I’m not seeing. I want a shot
at ‘em! #WoVoChat
@scottmedvetz
A1: I think many new talent assume this is how it works.
Especially those with little or now marketing experience.
#WoVoChat
@MarcScott
A1: Is it an ego thing? It can’t hurt to have an agency vouch
for you. #WoVoChat
@FabregasMelissa
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A1: Isn’t it kind of like using a travel agent these
days? Who does that anymore? #WoVoChat
@LorencePamela
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Q2: When SHOULD you think about
getting an agent? #WoVoChat
A2: When you’re booked so much you need an agent for
billing the work. #WoVoChat
@bobbinbeam
A2: When marketing and promotion can be fulfilled by
a talent agent. #WoVoChat
@bobbinbeam
A2: For access to auditions and clients you may never
get without the agent. #WoVoChat
@bobbinbeam
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A2: You have steady repeat clients and are ready for
more work. #WoVoChat
@bobbinbeam
A2: Not before you’re really ready and can deliver for
yourself and your agent. My 2 cents. #WoVoChat
@DerekChappell
A2: Not until one is ready as a talent. Your #VO chops
better be sharp if you’re playing in a bigger ballpark.
#WoVoChat
@hireanthony
A2: Turning this around slightly, is there a level of
experience needed first before they’d even consider
you? #WoVoChat
@MelsBritishVOs
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Q3: Should you have more than one
agent? #WoVoChat
A3: Not needed but, most folks end up with more than one.
#WoVoChat
@ChuckDavisCreat
A3: Location. For example, I have three. West Coast,
Central/Southern and East Coast. #WoVoChat
@ChuckDavisCreat
A3: Another reason is that agents work in a specialty. ie:
Commercial vs. Promo. #WoVoChat
@ChuckDavisCreat
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A3: Another avenue is Hybrid Agent/Production houses
as additional representation of sorts. #WoVoChat
@ChuckDavisCreat
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Q4: What should you expect the agent
to be doing for your talent? #WoVoChat
A4: Send auditions and connect you to those who can hire
you. #WoVoChat
@bobbinbeam
A4: Negotiate fees on your behalf. #WoVoChat
@bobbinbeam
A4: Collect payments. #WoVoChat
@bobbinbeam
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A4: Share your demos with producers and casting
directors. #WoVoChat
@bobbinbeam
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Q5: What should you – as the talent –
be doing for your agent?#WoVoChat
A5: Check in with them periodically (weekly?) to curry
the relationship. #WoVoChat
@CourVo
A5: Keep your demo updated and send it to them
when you do. #WoVoChat
@CourVo
A5: Let them know what kind of work your booking
elsewhere. #WoVoChat
@CourVo
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A5: Ask them for feedback on the reads/auditions your
sending out. #WoVoChat
@CourVo
A5: Seems like the best thing you can do for your
agent is give the client the best possible results.
#WoVoChat
@RAStine
A5: Funnel #VO jobs to them as appropriate if you have
a geographical exclusive contract with them.
#WoVoChat
@hireanthony
A5: Deliver quality work on time. Be available for
auditons. #WoVoChat
@LorencePamela
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A5: You can attempt to bring in new work but most
agencies will shun that as “amateurish”. It’s a slippery
slope I’ve found. #WoVoChat
@sourceelements
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Q6: Should you be expected to pay
your agent a fee to be signed?
#WoVoChat
A6: Never pay an agent a representation fee, only
commissions. #WoVoChat
@bobbinbeam
A6: Commission paid on work booked and no
additional fees. #WoVoChat
@bobbinbeam
A6: Never pay an agent for classes. #WoVoChat
@bobbinbeam
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A6: Never pay agents for photos or demo production
services. #WoVoChat
@bobbinbeam
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Q7: What is the standard range of
commission most agents get today?
#WoVoChat
A7: Non-union, typically 20%. #WoVoChat
@ChuckDavisCreat
A7: Union 10%. Typically added on top of the work.
#WoVoChat
@ChuckDavisCreat
A7: No additional fees on top of that! #WoVoChat
@ChuckDavisCreat
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A7: The only possible exception is an OPTIONAL web
hosting fee. #WoVoChat
@ChuckDavisCreat
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Q8: What should you know when
working with an agent or multiple
agents? #WoVoChat
A8: Know your commercial conflicts, and tell your agent up
front . #WoVoChat
@bobbinbeam
A8: Keep agents up to date how sessions go, and
keep demos fresh. #WoVoChat
@bobbinbeam
A8: Don’t be a pest. Stay in touch occasionally & ask
advice. #WoVoChat
@bobbinbeam
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A8: Is agency commission added to talent fee or taken
out? #WoVoChat
@bobbinbeam
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Q9: What makes you an agent
favorite…besides booking?
#WoVoChat
A9: Follow submission specs to a tee. #WoVoChat
@ChuckDavisCreat
A9: Proof your submissions for audio quality/script
accuracy. #WoVoChat
@ChuckDavisCreat
A9: Having your agent handle negotiations and
contracts for new work you bring to him/her. #WoVoChat
@ChuckDavisCreat
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A9: Real Time Casting is a good source for leads that
you can share with your agent…I don’t get anything for
saying that. #WoVoChat
@ChuckDavisCreat
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Q10: I’m not booking. Should I fire
my agent? #WoVoChat
A10: First, reach out. Is there a solution? #WoVoChat
@ChuckDavisCreat
A10: Communicate. What are you booking? Are
auditions the right fit? #WoVoChat
@ChuckDavisCreat
A10: If you have another offer in the same market. Ask
first, Agent A might be OK with that. #WoVoChat
@ChuckDavisCreat
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A10: Really, you could simply back burner this agent.
You’ll probably be dropped eventually/anyway.
#WoVoChat
@ChuckDavisCreat
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Join Us for the next #WoVoChat on
Wednesday, April 8th
12pmPT/2pmCT/3pmET!
Topic: Running A Successful
Freelance VO Business
Check out the entire 3-11-15 #WoVoChat at
our Storify:
bit.ly/WoVoChat_7
Join us every 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month in 2015
for #WoVoChat at 12pmPT/2pmCT/3pmET!
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
January 14th & 28th July 8th & 22nd
February 11th & 25th August 12th & 26th
March 11th & 25th September 9th & 23rd
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