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?

Sorry what are subs?

Be careful that your DD's spotlight profile isn't linked to her having this particular agent if you decide to leave, particularly if you leave without having another agent to go to. I think I'd just leave things as they are and simply "forget" to let the agent know about open call opportunities until things have progressed to an offer stage.

Agents should only be taking the fee for work they found the artist. Also, you should never tell anyone about any auditions or who your contacts are. No one is your friend at auditions they are your daughters competition.

You don't have to tell her anything until your DD gets a job then she is entltled to whatever the fee is. What does the contract say about terminating the contract, do you have to give notice or buy your DD out? I would just say you are going to be your DDs agent from now and can she let you know if anything suitable comes up. If you are finding general leads for her she should be paying you part of the fee if one of her pupils get it.

roles she is submitting your child for. My daughters agent (like the majority of agents) use an app called tagmin. I can see all the submissions my daughter has. Some agents don’t show the subs on there but you’re entitled to ask for a list of subs so you can see what your child has been submitted for. My child has had quite a few self tapes and recalls - has yours? If not, I would recommend leaving if your child really wants to do acting and finding a better, more respected and experienced agent

If that's what the contract says then unfortunately you need to be paying.

What does the notice period on the contract say? Just give written notice and say that you have decided to not use an agent any more.

She wants to be able to share the opportunity to as many students as possible, as that way the agency has a chance to make more money.

Put it this way, even if your daughter is Oscar worthy, she won't win every part, for some reason or other she will be deemed not quite right for the part. The more people the agency sends to the audition, the more chance they have that someone listed with them will get the part, therefore, making them more money.

That said, I'd feel like you, that I was just helping the competition and making things even harder for your daughter.

You mention the agency being attached to the drama school. Is it compulsory or part of the deal that you must use their agency? If you can. I'd be tempted to go it alone for a little while, or at the very least, change agents. So far this agent has done nothing for your daughter.

I think you may be in breach of contract.

What are the terms for terminating the contract?

Leave this agent, you know she's rubbish. Tell her the truth, clearly and fairly - it's because your daughter hasn't had any auditons through her so you're going to try some other approaches. I would personally also say that you wouldn't be comfortable sharing any leads you found as it's a competitive sector, and takes time and effort on your part to find them. (She should really be a bit embarrassed that you're finding these opportunities and she isn't, and it's very cheeky to ask you to share what you have found.)

If she reacts badly, becomes awkward when you see her - that is on her and would be very unprofessional. This is a business arrangement which is doing you no favours so it shouldn't surprise her if you decide to end it and you're well within your rights to.

She can't just leave, she signed a contract.

I agree with the poster who said to give her notice and explain that due to a change of circumstances you will be taking up this role of agent yourself. You can always find a more efficient agent at a later stage.

You don't.

She uses you for her business so she doesn't have to do anything. She's outsourcing to you.

She won't take it well however you politely leave for this reason.

What are the conditions for terminating the contact? Bluntly, get rid of her! She is playing at being an agent and hasn't a clue what she is doing. She wants to appear connected by offering out opportunities you have sourced to other kids on her books so it looks like she is professional. You say your daughter "attended" this school so if she is no longer there then your real-life contact with this mother must be limited? Regardless, acting is a dog-eat-dog world (I worked in theatre) so you and your daughter can't afford to worry about hurt feelings. Believe me, if this woman was a professional agent she would think nothing about terminating a contract if you weren't pulling in some money.

No idea what others circumstances are across the board. Just a suggestion an option of exiting the current set up that avoids hurt feelings, as you asked for a way to go about this.

If you are saying you are sourcing the bulk of the work and think she's rubbish then seems a bit pointless to continue with her as your daughters agent, when you already doing the leg work. As she too is another mum doing this on the side rather than this being her qualified profession then there's surely very little difference; you already know you are capable of sourcing work. A contract where my leg work potentially generated income or opportunity for someone else with no benefit to me or my child wouldn't interest me.

I agree with the pps who have said.
This woman is exploiting you and doing nothing for your daughter..

Think of it this way
Why should you feel bad about sacking her when she's just using you?
She knows exactly what she's doing...
and that shows how little she values your acquaintance.
Your choice is to

1. sack her and stop this exploitation
2. or allow her to continue for fear of her being upset because you put a stop to it. You don't have to be rude.. or ignore each other if you pass by in the street, be like the penguins of Madagascar, "Smile and Wave." just be calm, businesslike, Do NOT apologise or justify. Just give the facts. And if you run into her again, have the same bare faced cheek that she does.

You've shown the initiative in seeking out auditions for your DD... keep on and double down on your research ( after you've cancelled the contract)
Im sure equity has some resources on finding agents and gettting out of contracts. Good luck to your DD

She’s being really cheeky and as uncomfortable as it is I think you have to tell her that it doesn’t work for you because it’s all downside for your daughter by increasing competition - you don’t want to earn agency fees from this (unless you do and you tell her you’ll take 10% fee from a successful audition)

It doesn’t always matter what a contract says because a contract MUST be fair.
She cannot expect to get a fee if she has done absolutely no work to secure the role.
She is very dodgy for expecting to be paid when you have secured the work.

Id give her a months notice and end the contract. You dont have to give a reason, if she does keep asking tell her you are doing it.

Id give her a months notice and end the contract.

How do you know it's a month's notice? It might be two months, or three.

OP Id do some research here.

It's not as clear cut as some might think.

This is what equity say which gives some food for thought.

https://www.equity.org.uk/advice-and-support/know-your-rights/agents

Leaving the agency
You can leave an agency before the agreed term has expired. You cannot be forced to stay with the agency if you don't want to, whatever the agency may claim. However, you may have to pay compensation to the agency if you left before the agreed term has expired.

And

Challenging the agency agreement
If you do find yourself with an unfavourable agency agreement bear in mind that many agency agreements are badly worded and may not stand up to legal scrutiny. Whatever the agency agreement may say, the law provides performers with some protection which may restrict the terms that an agent can impose. If you have doubts about the agency agreement do not be browbeaten by the agent's threats (or their lawyer's)

There's other relevant stuff on there too and I'm sure if you delve a bit deeper you'll find out what laws are applicable.
.

Clearly you are actually your DD's agent at the moment. Send the 'agent' a message to say that as you are doing well enough for the time being finding appropriate opportunities for your DD, you no longer require her services.

As and when your daughter's work portfolio grows to a level where more than you can give is needed, get a better agent than this one.

So she basically wants you to do her job for her, and then pay her for the pleasure of it? She is the ultimate CF

Like one of the PP, I’d advise to not CC her in on anything.

Does your contract specify that you have to do so? Is there some kind of exclusivity clause? If not, then there’s no need to rock the boat by terminating the current contract. Sounds to me like she’s being very lazy. I work in the performance industry and NO WAY would agree to this. Has she actually provided any work for your daughter? Cheeky, lazy mare!

It’s her job to source auditions, not yours, so I wouldn’t copy her in at all. Get a new agent.

You need to focus on getting your daughter a professional agent, it's not really something you can just walk into.
You have a contract with this agent , so really you do need to share with her. I don't think having an agent who is not a professional who does it 100% of the time as a living is helpful- you going after work yourself is enterprising but again probably not helpfu, you need a professional agent and if you are aware of opportunities discuss it with the agent.l