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Dear John

Good terms for changing agents

Question:
Further to last month's question about changing agents, I too have been considering the ever popular change. I was thrilled to be snapped up initially by this particular agent who, although not a biggie, I was led to believe was rather well respected. I have had a handful of castings in nearly three years. I email every few months and occasionally phone to remind her I'm still available. She is consistently too busy with her young child and other personal matters to talk - this is fine but she never returns my calls or acknowledges my emails. I have requested countless times for her to update my credits and photo on the website and CV but to no avail. I have tried meetings and offering lunch in a bid to change the situation, as ideally I would like it to work. I have now had an offer from a respectable co-op. Would I be better off with them? Also what is the correct protocol when approaching a new agent while still with the old one? It's a small business and I don't want to make any enemies but at the same time I feel I should start trying elsewhere.

Answer:
One of these days, someone is going to write in to say that they are happy with their agent and asking if this means that they need help. In an ideal world there would be a written agreement at the outset of every agent/performer relationship setting out terms and expectations on both sides, many aspects of which go way beyond just the legal and financial. In the real world this doesn't always happen. It certainly seems from your version of events that your current agent isn't fulfilling your expectations, or open to discussing them, so unless you have made a binding agreement it seems reasonable to look for better service elsewhere.

Find out as much as you can about the co-op or any other prospective agent before you commit to them - preferably from people who have actually used their services. For both ethical and practical reasons, it is best to be clear that you are currently with an agent, even if you are shopping around for a new one. A reputable agent will respect confidentiality and you should too. Make sure your discussions with any potential agents are centered on moving your career in the direction you would like, not griping about your current agent. Nobody likes a moaner.

As far as the parting of ways goes, some performers simply go - and their agents are often as relieved as they are - but most people prefer to leave on good terms either with a polite letter or a call stating that they have moved on, or are about to. Obviously any ongoing contracts, negotiations or royalty issues will need to be sorted out fairly by all parties involved - but that's what agents (old and new) are good at.

And yes, Dear John is very open to hearing agents' perspectives on this most delicate of interpersonal relationships.