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How To Guides

Find An Agent

by Peter Finch
Peter Finch is the former Assistant General Secretary of Equity

1) Finding an agent

Most performers have an agent to develop their careers and many of them keep the same agent for life while others will regularly change their representation.

The business of an agent is regulated by legislation and comes under the Employment Agencies Standards Office of the Department of Trade & Industry.

There is no central register of agents but a comprehensive list can be found in Contacts or you can write to the agents' professional bodies for a list of their members.

Once an agent has agreed to take you on there are a number of things you should do...

2) What you should check

Always read an agency agreement thoroughly and be sure you understand it properly.

If you are offered a verbal agreement, make sure what are the terms of the representation and ask for these to be confirmed in writing.

Be clear what commission will be charged by the agent for work found for you. There are no legal limits on commission and amounts vary according to the nature of the work, usually in the range 10 - 25 per cent.

Be wary of any request from an agent for any form of 'entry fee', just to go on to his/her books. Best industry practice is only to charge performer clients for work obtained, by way of commission.

Until you are well established and have obtained further advice insist on your legal right of being paid for work done within 10 days of the agent receiving the money from the employer.

If you discover the agent is withholding money, or there are any other irregularities, do not delay in contacting Equity or the Employment Agencies Standards Office.

If you are signing with an agent who does not belong to one of the agents' professional bodies, you are advised to consult Equity's Code of Conduct for Agents and standard contract.

3) Useful contacts

Contacts
published by Spotlight, 7 Leicester Place, London, WC2H 7BP:
Tel: 020 7437 7631.

Artistes & Agents
published by Richmond House Publishing, 70-76 Bell St, Marylebone, London NW1 6SP.
Tel: 020 7224 9666

Personal Managers' Association
Rivercroft, 1 Summer Road, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9LX.
Tel: 020 8398 9796.

The Agents' Association
54 Keyes House, Dolphin Square, London, SW1V 3NA.
Tel: 020 7834 0515.

National Entertainment Agents' Council
PO Box 112, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 2DQ
Tel: 0870 755 7612.

Association of Background Artists' Agents
c/o Ray Knight Casting, 21A Lambolle Place, London, NW3 4PG.
Tel: 020 7722 4111.

Association of Voice-Over Agents
c/o Rhubarb, 1st Floor, Thomas Place, 1a Devonshire Road, London W4 2EU
Tel: 020 8742 8683.

Employment Agencies Standards Office
1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET
Tel: 0645 555 105.

Equity
Guild House, Upper St. Martin's Lane, London, WC2H 9EG.
Tel: 020 7379 6000.

BECTU
373-377 Clapham Road, London SW9 9BT
Tel: 020 7346 0900.