VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

JackB

What are the dangers of being represented by an agent who has check authority over their talents? By that I mean the agent takes payment from the client, deducts their commission as stated in the talent-agent agreement, and gives a check to the client?
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Jason Huggins · Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 10:44 am Post subject:

I've never had an issue with my agents. They all pay that way. Definitely slow to pay though.

Bob Bergen · CM Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 979

This is how it's done! Now, I cannot comment on non union agents as I don't know how the actor is protected there. But agents having check authorization when it comes to union work is standard.

Deirdre · Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 8:26 am Post subject:

Yes to what Bob says. The agent oversees all the proper disbursements and stuff and is supposed to be there to make sure you're getting what you're supposed to.

In the Non-union world, you have the same general setup, with the agent receiving the money from the clients and either taking the commission and sending you the net or sending you the check along with a bill for his or her cut of the wealth.

And then you have agents who SPEND all the money received by end clients, and run a ponzi scheme in their own agency. Huge jobs with many talents are an invitation for them to take trips to Spain and the like, and new receipts are sent to the oldest invoices. Talents wait MONTHS to be paid even though the end client paid straight away.
Eventually it crashes, and they start a new business with a different name

You know, stuff like that..
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Bruce · Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 8:30 am Post subject:

Every once in a while you hear a story of an agent who holds on to talent money for various periods of time (including in some cases forever) but they're pretty rare.

It's a game of trust we all have to play.

B
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Deirdre · Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 8:45 am Post subject:

And by "Holds on to" I'm pretty sure you mean "burns through".
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audio'connell · Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 7:41 pm Post subject:

Deebs - what kind of VO Planet are you on?

I donnat know of any such story having taken place in any season - summers, fall, winter or spring.

Tsk tsk.
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scottnilsen · Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 8:20 pm Post subject:

Now THAT is funny...I don't care who you are...
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ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 5:09 pm Post subject:

One of my union agents actually sends me the checks directly and an invoice for his commission.
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Deirdre · Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 9:36 pm Post subject:

It's better that way!
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heyguido · Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 11:35 pm Post subject:

Seems to me that the moment you distrust your client or your representative....

You've created an adversarial relationship. Mello

Better to regard them as allies and partners.

Sure.... Define your terms and your roles.... And your expectations....

But until proven otherwise.... Respect and trust are essential to a successful business relationship.
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Jen Gosnell · Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 1:14 am Post subject:

POC FTW.

That is all.
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Lee Gordon · Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 8:50 am Post subject:

Today only, POC gets $50 off his VO-BB membership fee. cool

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