How does agency repping work when they love you but won't sign?

Find out the Voice Cat's take on this now!

I was wondering if you can help me with a question that no one seemed to be able to help me with.

Marc Cashman: I'll sure try.

My daughters met with Acme Talent late february (2007), they told me that they would like to work with the girls and they asked for copies of their photos but no "contract" were signed between us (I was told that they don't give out contracts and that if we want to work with them, it just goes from there).. I sent them the photos they asked for asap. On april, I called them just to touch base since I haven't heard back from them since our last meeting, using the excuse of sending them an updated copies of my daughters' resumes. During the phone conversation, I was informed that the photos I sent them 2 mos ago didn't work and that they needed another copies, yet they never called me about it.

My question is, is it customary or normal for big talent agents, such as Acme, not to have contracts signed by talents if they really want to work with them?

Marc Cashman: Machelle, every agency works differently, and many agents have a wide latitude to control the terms of representation. If an agency really wants to sign a talent, they'll most likely produce a contract right away. Others like to "see how it goes" for a while, to see if the talent they're considering does well on auditions and books a few jobs. In this case, the situation is more of a freelance position, with the agency not committing anything until they determine if the talent is worth signing.

Second, how do I approach them about the fact that it's been a few months and still they haven't submitted the girls out or if they have, no calls for audtions have been given to my daughters. We signed up with another agent in san diego around the same time (in fact before Acme) and yet this agent have submitted my daughters for auditions almost every week. I feel as if my back is against the wall since I don't want to sound too demanding if I approach them to ask why the girls haven't received any auditions from them, on the other hand, I'm also not sure if they've been sending them out but haven't had any casting directors interested in seeing them.

Marc Cashman: Machelle, at this point I think that a diplomatic summary of this email sent to them should suffice to get a response. Make sure that you state that you were really excited to meet with Acme and are anticipating working with them, but that you were wondering what might be holding things up. I don't think it would be too demanding, considering you've already met with them.You can mention the info that you provided me: "Since we met with you back in february, my daughters have done Intel Print Campaign, a Disney PSA and more." You shouldn't mention, though, that during the audition for the Disney PSA, you saw one of their talents that they submitted for it, and that talent didn't get casted but your daughter did.

I would really appreciate your help as I'm hoping there's another side to this story (as there usually is). Thank you so much for your time and I look forward to your response.

Marc Cashman: Yes, there's always another side to most stories, but in this case you're dealing with the capriciousness of the business and talent sides of show business. Always communicate that you look forward to working with the agent (and agency), and hopefully they'll be able to staighten it all out. I hope this answer helps, and I'd love to know the upshot.

Sincerely,

Marc Cashman

Cashman Commercials © 2008

MARC CASHMAN creates and produces copy and music advertising for radio and television. Winner of over 150 advertising awards, he also instructs voice acting of all levels through his classes, The Cashman Cache of Voice-Acting Techniques in Los Angeles, CA, and is now also offering one-on-one coaching via email or phone. He can be contacted at cashcomm@earthlink.net or his website, www.cashmancommercials.com.