My friend Ashley has been with this agency for three years and she's had a lot of opportunities to do commercials and extras. Is it normal that I have to pay 75$ to create an account with this agency?
p.s. do i have to pay for port-folio?
2007-06-22 08:07:53 · 10 answers · asked by shnitle 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
Be careful who you sign with. Most agencies will not haqve a fee upfront for you to "join" them. As far as a portfolio goes, you will have to pay the photrapher for the pics, and sittings and so forth. Some agencies that are less reputible will set these photo shoots up for you with less than average photgraphers who pay them to take the photos! See where I an going with this? Agencies that do this are making money on both ends, from the talent, and from the photographer! Be careful. Go to a good, well established agency. Have a headshot with you. You may pay a good penny for it, but a good headshot is important. Have some sort of history of your work, if you have done anything, to show them what you can do. If you are just starting out, it can be rather difficult to get going, but you will after a while. I spent several years in that racket, too. I got tired of all the bitching, and back-stabbing going on in the industry, but some of my friends are still in it going strong. Be patient, ask a lot of questions, and don't always take the easy offer, it usually will not be worth it, and for heaven's sake, if they are charging you money, find out what you are getting, and if it is necessary.
Good luck,
Stevo.
2007-06-22 08:18:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
For a normal agency, it is NOT normal to have to pay. HOWEVER, most companies that acquire extras for films DO charge an annual fee for registration and maintaining a picture file or something like that. I don't know about other places, but here in Los Angeles the reputable companies like Central Casting, Bil Dance & Kids background Talent most certainly do charge a fee and they are reputable but this is strictly for extra work and very seldomly for anything more.
If we're talking about an agent that you give stacks of headshots to and sends you out regularly on auditions then you absolutely DO NOT pay them anything. They do not get paid UNTIL they help get you a job. When they find you the auditions, you get the job and then are paid for that job, they generally get a 10% cut.
$75 seems a bit steep, but I don't know where you are and if they're the only game in town and can therefore get away with that.
When you are new, you do not need a portfolio. A portfolio comes with having done work. For extra work, you do not need special headshots, but for principle work you do.
If you want to find a legitimate agent to represent you for commercials, TV & film go to Sag.org. Use the dropdown menu on the right labeled 'resources' and choose 'agent information'. On the next screen, on the left choose 'Find a SAG franchised agent' and follow the directions. You can look up agents all over the US, but there are higher concentrations where the work is (Los Angeles, NY, IL, FL, GA etc.)
Then you can send them your headshot, resume, and a cover letter stating that you are seeking representation and wait to see if they call you in for an interview
The links below are strictly for background work in Los Angeles. However, even if you're not in this area, you can read the requirements and costs and see how things usually go if you're interested in that type of work. If you're in another state, try searching for your state's film alliance website or arts alliance or something to that effect. Many times they have information on production companies who will be filing locally and need extras who live in town.
Good luck!
2007-06-22 08:25:40 · answer #2 · answered by Marianne D 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No!! If they ask you to pay then it is probably a fake agency!! An agent should never ask you to pay upfront - they make their money by booking you jobs and taking a percentage of earnings (usually 10-15%)! The only ones that would charge upfront are agencies for extras.
And yes, it will cost you for a portfolio as you have to pay the photographer!!
2007-06-22 08:12:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not. If the agency asks the artist to pay anything, it is a scam. However, you are supposed to come to the agency with a portfolio already, so you do end up paying for those photos. But once you are taken on by an agency, you are supposed to not pay for anything.
2007-06-22 08:11:32 · answer #4 · answered by gouldgirl2002 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you don't pay to get into an agency if you do it is a scam! The only way an agent would get payed is if you get paid to do a job then the agent would get10% otherwise they don't get paid and they should charge you no fees.
-good luck
2007-06-22 09:13:07 · answer #5 · answered by Horselove12 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, anyone who asks you to pay them is a scam. Legit agents take 10% of whatever you make from a job you booked through them, they cannot take any more than that or charge you a fee for anything else.
2007-06-22 08:53:08 · answer #6 · answered by fixing_uh_hole 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No! You should never have to pay an agency to take you on! I f they are legit, they will if anything invest in you!
2007-06-22 08:16:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should never have to pay to get a job. It sounds like a scam to me.
2007-06-22 08:11:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You only pay them if they get you into a play. But even then you only pay them like 10%
2007-06-22 13:26:51 · answer #9 · answered by Cee 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the only thing you should pay is for a portfolio !
2007-06-22 08:16:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋