Answering a Reader Question #734

Anonymous Wrote:

 We just signed to take our inexperienced 8 year old son to a Launch Showcase in Chicago with a 'mother agency'. From your blog sounds like a good start in this case? We were told about the 20% for signed agencies, but they say they don't take any extra % once signed with someone outside the mother agency, but want to be present if a contract is signed during the showcase. Is this typical and can you legally sign contracts if you are called outside such a showcase without a mother agency being involved?

Hi, Anonymous!

I typically advise dealing with agencies directly instead of attending showcases and conventions, however, after looking through the Launch Showcase website, I was happy to see that they state upfront that they are not a modeling school or agency. Being direct about what they are and are not is a good sign, especially if money is going to be involved.

20% is the current commission rate for agencies so that is legit. When it comes to mother agencies, they must be involved when it comes to signing contracts with other agencies outside of them. It only makes sense, especially if you have no experience or intimate knowledge of modeling contracts.

Their being present during the signing of any contracts during the showcase is to ensure that everything is on the up and up. However, I am a firm believer of not being pressured to sign a contract right then and there. In traditional situations where models/talent are offered a contract by an agency (mother or no), they are allowed to take the contract home to review for a few days. I don't know if this is applicable to the event you're planning to attend with your son.

When you sign with a mother agency, they become your main representation. After that contract is signed, any future offers from other agencies must be passed along to the mother agency for them to handle on your behalf if you are interested in the opportunity.

If you didn't sign with a mother agency at the showcase and got offered agency representation outside of the showcase, then you would be free to handle that situation on your own as you see fit. But once a mother agency is involved, you are legally bound to have them do business on your behalf.

Remember: never sign anything that you don't fully understand. It is perfectly acceptable to ask the agency/agency staff to clarify anything you're not clear about. They should be more than willing to do this.

Do not allow anyone to do a high pressure sales tactic to get you to sign a contract right then and there. You are always free to walk away and politely decline an offer at anytime. You are not obligated to sign anything.

I hope that helps!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Answering a Reader Question #1,037

Image
Charlie Wrote: I just had a conversation with my mother that modelling pays really well. And she straight up went like "it's a dirty business , you don't know what works models have to do to get on the top " . It was my way to tell her that I want to pursue modelling but before I could even tell that to her directly , I lost all my gathered up courage and I can see all my dreams dying right infront of my eyes. Hey, Charlie! I'm sending you the BIGGEST virtual hug right now...you are not the only one who has had the wind taken right out of their sails by a parent who simply doesn't want to risk their child being disappointed, possibly taken advantage of, or wind up as an example of why people shouldn't get into modeling. I don't know your age or what the situation is but if you are under 18, it's gonna be a bit of an uphill battle to try and convince your mom since it sounds like she's already made it clear how she feels. However, that doesn'
Read more

Answering a Reader Question #1,036

Image
Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania, so kind of you to do this and support us young in the biz. I did a print spot for a well known company as a NU model last Oct. for $2500 1 year buyout. They are considering renewing for 2nd year $2500 and 3rd year $3750. I’m unrepresented atm. I am union now. I’m on hold for my first scene in a feature and I just worked a Chanel commercial (featured BG, let’s not roll out the red carpet here). But, one: I think, even with the strike, I’m moving on up, and two: isn’t 2nd year buyout rates supposed to be more? Could you help me on what an appropriate response would be or a fair counter-offer would be? Again, you rock. Thanks for helping the wide-eyed! Hey, Anonymous! You're SO welcome, thank you for being a reader and reaching out...congrats on the recent bookings you've gotten so far, that's awesome...and yeah, you are definitely moving on up. :-) As far as the buyout rate for the print job, I've been in the same scenario where the renewal rate
Read more

Answering a Reader Question #1,035

Image
Anonymous Wrote: I had a model agent say " but you are not the right type for us at this moment ". What does that really mean. Hi, Anonymous! Typically, that phrase is "agency speak" for politely saying you aren't what they're looking for. If you don't meet the physical requirements stated -- for example, if it was a fashion agency you were talking to and you weren't within their stated height or size range, that would be a common response. Or it could mean that your look isn't one that they feel is currently in demand at the moment and they don't want to take the chance of signing you, only to have you sitting on roster the entire time without any traction.  While it's not a great response to receive, it is their polite way of saying no, thank you. Now that you have a definite answer from that particular agent, you can move on to submitting to others and hopefully find the one that you are the right type for. Best of luck to you!
Read more