VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Steve Knight · Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2014 7:15 am Post subject: OK here's a new one..

Got an email from an agent I submitted to a couple of months ago, they said they wanted to offer me "non-contractural representation"

AND (here it comes)

a monthly fee of $14.95 to host my demos....

In the words of country music legend Marty Robbins..

Elll-Passsso

Bish · Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2014 7:39 am Post subject:

Seriously... that's $179 per year... well beyond any nominal hosting fee.

Someone is playing with semantics here... that's a subscription by any measure... and I thought agencies that charged both a subscription and a commission were breaking all sorts of laws (in some states, anyway).

Sometimes you just want to do something other than just ignore these predators. The second most common use of a baseball bat comes to mind.

Well... I'd write a very strongly worded letter disputing their birthright anyway Wink

_________________
Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

DougVox · Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2014 7:42 am Post subject:

I can only imagine how much fun it'd be to write the "thanks-but-no-thanks" letter in response to that offer.
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Doug Turkel (tur-KELL)
Voiceover UNnouncer®
UNnouncer.com

Steve Knight · Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2014 7:44 am Post subject:

And in contrast, last week I was added to the talent pool of a large production house in the Baltimore/DC area, where 2 days later I was booked to do a commercial for the Golf channell...all THAT cost me was train fare to their studio

Scott Pollak · Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2014 9:24 am Post subject:

I think you need to respond and gleefully accept their offer.
With a caveat, of course.
Because of the fact that they stand to earn money by "hosting" your demo on their site, you, in turn will only charge them a mere $29.95 a month for the privilege of having your demo on their site.
_________________
Scott R. Pollak
Clients include Pandora, NPR Atlanta, Wells Fargo, Cisco, Humana, Publix, UPS, AT&T, HP, Xerox and more.

www.voicebyscott.com

Bish · Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2014 9:34 am Post subject:

Dear Sir,

You are an agent. You have selected me because you think I can earn you money and will be a profitable addition to your roster. If there is a "hosting fee" please feel free to deduct this from the checks you will be sending me from the work generated.

Unless, of course, your business model is such that the only income you expect from our arrangement is the listing fee.

Yours,
etc., etc., etc.,
_________________
Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

Steve Knight · Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2014 10:23 am Post subject:

Bish, I may actually respond to them with your post, just to see what response I get..

Scott Pollak · Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2014 10:24 am Post subject:

Oh, and congrats on the Golf Channel gig, Steve. That's awesome! (I'm jealous!)
_________________
Scott R. Pollak
Clients include Pandora, NPR Atlanta, Wells Fargo, Cisco, Humana, Publix, UPS, AT&T, HP, Xerox and more.

www.voicebyscott.com