To not include agent in every lead I get for work for my daughter from initial contact?

[Travelfairy]

Daughter acts. Has had some work but nothing that has come through her agent. Work I have sourced myself from scouring various platforms and referrals from contacts made in the industry over the past 2 years.

In short, the agent isnt very good. The agency is an add on to the acting school my daughter attended. The agent is one of the mums doing this on the side of her other 'real' job. She has no experience other than her own daughter has had a bit of experience in the past.

When I am applying for anything she is requesting I CC her on everything from the initial contact so she can 'offer the opportunity to other kids in the agency too'.

AIBU to not do this until my DD has had a callback audition etc? I feel like she is using me to source work and then put it out to all in the agency and then IF a child is successful she gets 20% of the fee!!!

AIBU not to do this? I feel its only her concern if it looks like my DD is actually going to get a part!! I am not on the payroll for the agency, I don't feel my hard work of looking online for opportunities then should be handed on a plate to her to take credit for!

Thoughts?

Do you have a contract with the agent? Most will usually require all work includes them and they will still take a fee if they are professional. If she's not good, maybe better to separate and find a new one for her.

Why are you using her as an agent at all?

Change agents.

Why would you want to share the lead with other kids at the school? I know it's the nice thing to do but acting is a dog eat dog world with lots of competition, what would you want to make it harder for your daughter by sharing details?

@Travelfairy re-read your own post. Your daughter's agent is crap, you are finding your daughter work yourself, and the agent now wants in on the jobs you find?!? The agent is taking the p*ss and needs sacking!

Very odd because she's actively generating more competition by offering the same opportunity to other students?! Doesn't make any sense.

If you're not getting at least 50% income from an agency/agent then you need to drop them.

I dont even mind that so much, its more that she wants me to CC her on all leads!! I dont mind if/when she actually gets work.

Thanks everyone, how do I politely leave her without any hard feelings? As I see her around alot as our kids in alot of stuff together

My daughter has an agent. Yours sounds awful. Just say thanks for all her support but you’re moving in a new direction or something vague. Does she have spotlight? Tagmin? Do you see subs?

I think I'd be pretty plain about the reason why you're parting ways.
Your daughter has been offered zero auditions via the agent. You have sourced all the auditions she has attended, so you feel there is little point continuing. If you wanted to offer these opportunities to the whole school when you've sourced them specifically for your daughter, you'd become an agent yourself!

What does the contract say?

If it doesn't say anything about having to notify them of other auditions your daughter attends, then perhaps just phase them out??

Tell her you'll share the leads with her. Send her a message with your rates on it and let know there's also an admin fee

Perhaps go down the route of expressing to her that you are about to have more free time available to you due a a change in circumstances, and have decided this is something you'd enjoy taking on yourself going forward and will therefore be representing her going forward.

Obviously if there is a contract then check this first for any required notice.

Do alot of parents do that?

Great answer! But I wouldnt have the balls to say that 🙈

Contract just says that they must be listed as the agent on all work applications and a fee will be taken regardless of how the work is secured.
My issue is that she has verbally and over whatsapp told me to CC her on everything from the get go. But sure why would I do that? She can then offer it out to the whole school!

Contract sounds pretty airtight! It’s there in black and white. YABU.

Is she an experienced agent? DD’s first agent was basically just a theatre club owner, who did very little and would have pulled a similar stunt.
Her current agent has found her a lot of work, and has some great contacts. She charges the same percentage rates.

Yeah you need to exit this contract. You're going to do all the work and she's going to claim money for it.

Yeah, that contact means she could take action against you.

You need to look at the terms re ending the contract.

You're worried about how she might feel? Do you think how you feel would stop her taking you to court to get you to pay according to the contract? Of course not.

It is normal for agents to need to be notified if you apply for open calls.

do you see subs? Is your child on spotlight? How old are they? You can’t really quietly phase out an agent you’re signed with, you need to notify that you’re leaving them in writing. They can’t demand you stay or even demand notice so you can leave straight away. If you’re on spotlight, it might be easier to apply and get accepted by another agency before you leave as some prefer you to be on spotlight already

No, no experience at all....

Read the Ts & Cs about ending the contract

Follow those to the letter

If there aren't any, seek professional legal advice, as the contract may not be legal

I always do list her as the agent. Always.
But when I make initial contact for projects that are not listed on spotlight/fishpond etc she wants me to CC her. That is not in the contract. Its that she be listed as the agent. She is. She's just not part of the conversation from the initial reach out.