VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Mike Harrison · Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 8:30 am Post subject: Agent "Gallery Fee"

I'm guessing an agent's "gallery fee" is paid in order to be listed on the agent's website.

Is this considered "pay-to-play" or a standard thing?

***EDIT: I need to clarify. I'm listed on this agent's website, so the fee is apparently so that I can respond to audition requests. Again: P2P or standard operating procedure?

***EDIT #2: I failed to mention this is an ANNUAL, not a one-time fee.
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Male Voice Over Talent
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Jack Daniel · Cinquecento Joined: 23 Jun 2016 Posts: 585 Location: SoCal

Sounds shady to me.
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ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 10:15 am Post subject:

Mid-west? If so, I told them I wouldn't pay the fee and they unlock my access every year.
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Bruce · Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 10:20 am Post subject:

My feeling has always been that a competent agent should be able cover all their basic representation expenses from the 10-20% fee they get from everyone's bookings. Headshots and demo production are usually talent expenses, but agency websites, postcards, brochures, advertising... that should come out of their pocket.

B
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Kim Fuller · Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 11:24 am Post subject:

I paid a $50 one-time fee for visibility on the agent website, too.

todd ellis · Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 12:26 pm Post subject:

i paid a one-time $50 web fee to a smallish agency and haven't felt bad about it. they get me loads of work. so, i guess that's the measure for me.
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Bish · Posted: Fri May 03, 2019 5:14 am Post subject:

On-going (annual) fees are a no-go for an agent.

I have one agent who used a webmaster to add new talent to his roster and there was a one-time $25 pass-through cost for set-up. This wasn't an issue for me as it was nominal (and this agent is a straight 10%... not 15~20%). If the fees are a revenue stream, then the argument for them being a P2P is strong.

I like Connie's approach Smile

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Bob Bergen · CM Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 981

This is yet another union vs non union issue. It is not legal for a union agent to charge any upfront, administrative, or marketing fees. For non union it’s the Wild West and they can do whatever they want. But you cannot blame the agents. You have to blame the talent who say yes to this.

Lee Gordon · Posted: Fri May 03, 2019 9:35 am Post subject:

Based upon Mike's edits to his original post, I'd say it definitely smells like a P2P.
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Art · Posted: Sun May 12, 2019 12:13 pm Post subject:

Mike Harrison · Posted: Sun May 12, 2019 6:06 pm Post subject:

In the six years I'd been with this agency, the only audition requests I'd received were for commercials, and I'd never booked any. So, that, plus the fact I'm strongest in narration, I declined further representation.
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

Velfin · Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 6:05 pm Post subject:

One of my favorite agents (MN, now retired) used to charge $25 annually to cover some kind of admin. It felt a little weird, but they were on the up-and-up and definitely got me plenty of work.
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