Help Me With My Agent - Legit?

[Jackson Miller]

I am trying to check up on my new agent. His name is ___________. Anybody know anything about him? He claims to be the cousin of both Steven Seagal and Stu Seagull. Please read the story below and tell me if you think he is legitimate.


Temporarily removed.

[PaPa]

In Montreal, my agent takes 15%. Generally the agent takes 10% and the Manager 5%, but In Canada, or at least to my knowledge, in Montreal, The agent does both so they get the full 15%.

Sounds fine to me, as long as you don't have to pay him up front and they only make money when you make money.

"real agents don't use websites.." Okay there... So i guess my agent, the agent that reps Jay Baruchel, ricky Mabe and elisha cuthbert from montreal are not real agents. Mine included.

[Michele Seidman]

Entity

Your gut is telling you something and you are not listening. 15% is not the standard. The standard is 10% on Union work and 15-20% for non-union unless you sign up with a management team. But you said he is an agent...not a manager. Go with your gut.

And most agents do have some sort of web site even if it is just basic info on where to send information. Very few good agents will have their talents names or photos listed. They do use some web services but the legit casting people and directors have accounts to log in and view the information. It is not open to the public in most cases.

[Jackson Miller]

Hmmm. Well I am not in a union first of all. I don't know if that changes anything. And I would assume then, that if my agent takes 15, he is an agent and manager? He likes to represent a small amount of people (200-300) at a time. Maybe he is a manager. What is the difference?

And also, he did show us/tell us about those websites (Now casting, LA casting, and the one where you get signed up after showing up at an audition, and one other). He has accounts on all of them and I watched him submit people for auditions.

I guess all of those things make him seem a little more legit maybe?

[ChrisHurn]

Hmm.

Stuff like this always sounds dodge, but a lot of the time it is legit. One thing I find a little weird is that the guy has hardly any mentions on google, this thread came up on the first page...if he googles himself he might have read this...Lol.

The fact that he doesn't have a website is a little odd. His explanation sounded fair, but having said that, his contact info can be found online anyway. He should at least have a nice and pro one page thing with some info on him or something. I'm not too familiar with how things work in Hollywood though..If this guy was the stlickster cat he says he is, I would have thought there'd be more info on him online, pictures of him, or something?

Anyway, I don't know a lot about agents but I guess you can always call a cut after a while it's getting too strange/nothing happening?

One idea I thought of was you could contact people who are represented by him and see what they think. There are a few people who mention him on their myspace blogs if you google his name, you could send them a message...

One thing I have noticed is of the people I could find on google that say they're represented by him...they have pretty bad websites/myspace pages that really don't sell themselves, some of them seem like fruitcakes, wouldn't an agent encourage them to get their pages together or is it just left up to them? A number of the people I could find did not look like they really had anything to them/little experience/etc.

The messy room house is pretty funny, I guess it doesn't really matter if he is actually a good agent, however....if I was an agent bringing potential clients into my office/HOUSE, I would make sure it was tidy and clean. This seems a bit strange. Like, it's one thing if your client is a friend, but new clients...that seems a little too un professional for my tastes.

Apparently he doesn't drive...is that weird for an agent? (http://bobbygoode.blogspot.com/2008/07/judging-at-world-championships-of.html)

Anyway....I'd just contact some of these people who mention him and see what they think of him. He could be pretty good!

Good luck.

[Michele Seidman]

Chris

I saw the story about him not driving too. Wondering how much homework some of these folks do for themselves!

Michele

__________________________________________________ ______________________________

OK..ALL ACTORS READING THIS: You are all leading with your heart and NOT your head. Stop it. Slow down. YOU WILL END UP SCAMMED this way. I don't care who you are and what level you are...signing with anyone without doing your own due diligence is just down right stupid.

If you hate me for saying it...fine...I don't care. If I managed to protect even ONE of you then it is worth it to start asking you all how stupid do you want to look down the line...

For goodness sake. If we are talking West Coast and the agent is not listed in the Ross Report or another legit agency list...then DON'T sign. Period...end of story. I won't pin point anyone names as legit or not here because I could get sued for doing so. I am not going to let anyone come after me for calling them out on a public board.

SO, DO YOUR HOMEWORK PEOPLE.

1) Look them up and google their name "insert name" like that to narrow the search.
a) Bother to read EVERYTHING you can find on them.
b) Seek legit web listing on legit film related sites
c) Find out if they are listed on WhoRepresents.com

2) On the West Coast and even in NYC ANYONE can submit ANYONE. So, know that does not make anyone an agent of any merit. Make 100% certain they get the Break Down Service too!

3) No GOOD agent talks about who he or she has contacts with no matter if it is business or family because this is a CYA (cover your a**) industry. NO ONE gives away info they can use for work related matters.

4) As Chris said above...TALK to other clients and more than one AND make CERTAIN those clients are getting the type of work you want to get, not just promo work or print work if you want film work. Make 100% sure they are not just getting extra jobs and make 100% certain more than 1 or 3 other clients have gotten more than 1 or 2 bookings!

5) In a UNION state, no GOOD agent takes more than 10% because NO FILM will give more than 10% on a plus 10 contract because they ARE following SAG rules on Union projects. The contract SHOULD state 10% on Union and maybe something else for non! If they take more than 10% from union jobs they are double dipping in 9 out of 10 cases unless they are a manager too.

6) ANY CONTRACT should have an out clause.

7) NO AGENT SHOULD GET POWER OF ATTORNEY UNLESS THEY ARE A SAG OR UNION RELATED AGENCY. Because those agents put up a bond to insure talent won't be screwed out of their money.

I could list more things but seriously folks...stop leading with your hearts and remember this is business. THIS IS BUSINESS. This IS business.

sighhh...and I normally get paid to teach this...so I am not going to give more...i am giving plenty away and you folks are still ignoring it in 9 out of 10 cases and then you wonder how and why you got screwed or why your career is not moving as fast as you would like!

[ChrisHurn]

ighhh...and I normally get paid to teach this...so I am not going to give more...i am giving plenty away and you folks are still ignoring it in 9 out of 10 cases and then you wonder how and why you got screwed or why your career is not moving as fast as you would like!

Keep it up Michele, you're a great person to have around on these boards and as a director I have learned a lot from all the posts of yours I have read.

Thanks. :)

Chris

[Michele Seidman]

dang Chris...that is the 2nd time you made me feel good about posting the info!

now cast me...snicker...ha ha ha...oh my i could not help myself!

[ChrisHurn]

Haha! Why don't you just fly down to New Zealand so I can work with a real actress...

[Michele Seidman]

oh man...so not fair...i would if i could Chris! ya tease! dangling gigs is sooooooo mean...ha ha ha....lol

[DadinWestchester]

First of all it is illegal to run an agency out of your home in California. 15% is pretty normal ( they get around the 10%). Check out his credentials on imdbpro. Doesn't sound good.
To be scouted by an agent in LA is suspicious to start with. Usually you need a referral.
BTW, my son's agency doesn't have a web site.

[Michele Seidman]

First of all it is illegal to run an agency out of your home in California.

I was not aware of that and very good information to know! Glad you shared that one.


To be scouted by an agent in LA is suspicious to start with. Usually you need a referral.

Good looking out on that one too. The 'scouts' go after those who don't know the difference yet.


BTW, my son's agency doesn't have a web site.

But I bet they are listed on Whorepresents or in the Ross Report....right?

[DadinWestchester]

But I bet they are listed on Whorepresents or in the Ross Report....right?

Uh, right. Low profile boutique agency.

[Michele Seidman]

Uh, right. Low profile boutique agency.


Ta da!

OH, heads up on actorsaccess though...an actor i tried to get for a project is on it and the other day it listed an 'agency' i contacted. they claimed to represent him but i got hold of his publicist and it turned out it was not his agent. he did not know the agency or agent listed. i managed to contact him by other means but in the mean time he contacted the web site to see how this agency got on his profile. turns out any agent who lists themselves on there can go an alter an actors listing even without a contract.


turned out he met them once a few months before and they just decided to lay claim to him even without ever doing paperwork of any kind. i was shocked to find out that could happen. it means any agent on their can alter any actors resume without permission. i hope they figure out how to prevent that.

just figured i would give you a heads up.

[lebroz]

This is a very fast paced buisness better to have a agent then none at all, don't pay any fee's upfront

just in case it is stevens family or even his janitor if they get you in/

10% for aftrA and sag is the rate.

[Jackson Miller]

Chris

OK..ALL ACTORS READING THIS: You are all leading with your heart and NOT your head. Stop it. Slow down. YOU WILL END UP SCAMMED this way. I don't care who you are and what level you are...signing with anyone without doing your own due diligence is just down right stupid.

If you hate me for saying it...fine...I don't care. If I managed to protect even ONE of you then it is worth it to start asking you all how stupid do you want to look down the line...

For goodness sake. If we are talking West Coast and the agent is not listed in the Ross Report or another legit agency list...then DON'T sign. Period...end of story. I won't pin point anyone names as legit or not here because I could get sued for doing so. I am not going to let anyone come after me for calling them out on a public board.

SO, DO YOUR HOMEWORK PEOPLE.

1) Look them up and google their name "insert name" like that to narrow the search.
a) Bother to read EVERYTHING you can find on them.
b) Seek legit web listing on legit film related sites
c) Find out if they are listed on WhoRepresents.com

2) On the West Coast and even in NYC ANYONE can submit ANYONE. So, know that does not make anyone an agent of any merit. Make 100% certain they get the Break Down Service too!

3) No GOOD agent talks about who he or she has contacts with no matter if it is business or family because this is a CYA (cover your a**) industry. NO ONE gives away info they can use for work related matters.

4) As Chris said above...TALK to other clients and more than one AND make CERTAIN those clients are getting the type of work you want to get, not just promo work or print work if you want film work. Make 100% sure they are not just getting extra jobs and make 100% certain more than 1 or 3 other clients have gotten more than 1 or 2 bookings!

5) In a UNION state, no GOOD agent takes more than 10% because NO FILM will give more than 10% on a plus 10 contract because they ARE following SAG rules on Union projects. The contract SHOULD state 10% on Union and maybe something else for non! If they take more than 10% from union jobs they are double dipping in 9 out of 10 cases unless they are a manager too.

6) ANY CONTRACT should have an out clause.

7) NO AGENT SHOULD GET POWER OF ATTORNEY UNLESS THEY ARE A SAG OR UNION RELATED AGENCY. Because those agents put up a bond to insure talent won't be screwed out of their money.

I could list more things but seriously folks...stop leading with your hearts and remember this is business. THIS IS BUSINESS. This IS business.

sighhh...and I normally get paid to teach this...so I am not going to give more...i am giving plenty away and you folks are still ignoring it in 9 out of 10 cases and then you wonder how and why you got screwed or why your career is not moving as fast as you would like!

Well, I am not really "leading with my heart" because my heart is not in acting. I am trying to remain very objective about the whole situation. He isn't doing anything to suggest a scam. He hasn't asked us to sign anything or give him money.

I did google him and this is what I find:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&client=safari&rls=en&ei=-LerSa5wgqqwA-SfnPIP&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=1&q=rod+seagal&spell=1

Not very much. he does have accounts on most of the casting sites as an agent though.


I do not have access to the "Ross Report". Could someone please check up on this for me? He doesn't seem to be on "Whorepresents.com"

Re #3) This is what I thought! I always feel like he is trying to compensate for something.

How do I find out if he is an agent AND a manager and what would be the implications of that?

[Jackson Miller]

First of all it is illegal to run an agency out of your home in California. 15% is pretty normal ( they get around the 10%). Check out his credentials on imdbpro. Doesn't sound good.
To be scouted by an agent in LA is suspicious to start with. Usually you need a referral.
BTW, my son's agency doesn't have a web site.

Can you PLEASE give me a link to a place that says it is illegal to run an agency out of your home in California? I am very curious because this would be a very concrete thing he is doing wrong.

Could someone else look at his stuff on imdb pro? I don't have it. He does say that most of his clients he gets by referral.

[Michele Seidman]

Ever noticed that IMDB Pro charges people to list? Ever notice an actor who has an IMDB Pro listing but does not have a regular IMDB listing?

Does that not make you wonder?

and on #3...things that make you go hmmmm should also make you back up!

[sinfear11]

Follow your gut feeling....I would pass.

[love_4_theatre]

OKAY, So this is a totally illegal running "agency"! He states he's an agent to the talent and he states he is a manager to the industry. He does NOT have a license in the State of California! http://www.dir.ca.gov/databases/dlselr/TalAg.html This is a government owned website to go to, in order to search any agency in the State of California who has a licensed agency! I've heard agencies outside of California do not need as many licenses at California needs, but California indeed does to be licensed! I do not know the pricing of a license, but I have heard it ranges up to 10,000 dollars! So as you can tell, Rod does not want to afford this price! Maybe it's because he is indeed hiding an unlawful secret(s), and quite possibly he doesn't want the state checking in on him? Who knows, but that website sure does not find a Rod Seagal who owns and operates an Exposure Talent & Model Agency. When I was his talent a few years ago, I did my research, and found a talent agency by the name of Exposure Talent & Model Agency in Kansas City. Here is their website: http://www.exposureinc.com/default.htm So I highly doubt Rod is this owner, and I highly doubt you can have the same name as another agency in another state!

*Note* When I was his talent, sometimes HE would be the photographer to take my "headshots". He had another photographer, who was NOT professional at all. He was a newbit photographer, building up his portfolio. The pictures I got returned back to me were all amatuer looking!! And the shadier part? I was told by my cousin, my dad, and my cousin's roommate that they all saw a billboard with a girl who looked exactly like me, one promoting a casino, another promoting an Escort service! Both of which I never modeled for, never even sold my pics to. So I have a feeling that Rod photoshopped some of the pics they took, and sold them to these companies. Since I did not see the billboards myself I cannot be sure if this is true, but it does seem fishy. So I would be indeed careful with who you sign up with.

Another thing.... I sent this website to you Entity, but just in case someone searches this and wants to know:

The difference between a Talent Agent and Talent Manager. This was an article I found online that is great use:

Acting can be a confusing profession to those just starting out. There are so many unwritten rules, not to mention the scams that ruin the dreams of many talented actors. However, going into an acting career armed with knowledge will help minimize the confusion and maximize the success.
Many beginning actors mistakenly think that “talent agent” and “talent manager” are two names for the same job. Actually, they are very different, but in a similar way. The best way to explain the differences is to tackle the job responsibilities separately, giving actors a good idea of those differences.
A talent agent works for a talent agency where they use their contacts to arrange auditions for the actors represented by the agency. An actor should never pay a talent agent up front for auditions or representation. A legitimate talent agent should receive a ten to fifteen percent commission only from the work they find the actor. A talent agent should never receive any percentage above fifteen percent.
Actors need a talent agent to survive. A talent agent is able to provide an actor with auditions they would not otherwise know about. Without the appropriate industry auditions, an actor’s career will go nowhere.
When securing a talent agent, actors should seek talent agencies franchised with The Screen Actors Guild (SAG). This means the agency and its agents have signed a contract agreeing to follow the rules regulated by the actors union.
A talent manager’s focus is more on managing an actor’s career than with arranging auditions. Talent managers keep in close touch with talent agents to ensure a shared vision for the actor, but a manager stays mostly on the management end of the actor’s career. Sometimes a talent manager may set up an audition for an actor, but that is not their focus. A talent manager will not guarantee auditions for an actor. Securing auditions is a talent agent’s job.
A talent manager handles public relations, business matters, and helps to make a plan and keep the actor on a path toward success. Actors usually don’t have a talent manager unless they have already seen some success and want to make a big jump in their career. Most actors cannot juggle the acting demands, interviews, and appearances that come with a prominent career. That is where a talent manager comes in.
Just as with talent agents, an actor should never pay a talent manager up front or for representation. Talent managers take a higher percentage of an actor’s earnings than a talent agent does. Typically, a talent manager receives a fifteen to twenty percent commission.
The differences between a talent agent and a talent manager vary, but their responsibilities are geared toward the same goal… advancing an actor’s career and getting the actor more acting jobs so the actors makes more money. The bottom line is that when an actor succeeds and gets paid, everybody gets paid. Both talent agents and talent managers will work hard to make that happen.

[Michele Seidman]

love 4 theatre

you rock...for posting this info...AND for spelling theatre in the Old English way! i do too and people try to correct me all the time!

[Jackson Miller]

Thanks. Check out my PM.

I am done with Rod Seagall and most likely done with acting.

[Michele Seidman]

did not get a PM unless you have 2 names on the site??

[Jackson Miller]

Sorry for the mixup Michele, I was talking to love 4 theatre.

Would the police care enough to investigate this? I want to bring justice to this guy and warn all those others that we have met on photoshoots.

[love_4_theatre]

LOL I'm a month late on replying..... but you can bring the police in if you want...... I'm not sure if they'll do anything though. I just ignored the guy.

[love_4_theatre]

OH.

And also note. This guy "preys" on young talent on the boardwalk of Venice Beach. He went there every weekend when I was his talent! I would go down there and have "weekly meetings" with him and a few other of his clients, down at the boardwalk. That's where we would take "head shots", eat lunch, and talk about business and whatever else came to mind. He would CONSTANTLY send his scouts out to the most naive of all young "talent". Most of the girls and guys he tried to scout were people who had no prior experience. So it shows he wanted clients who were not the type to research, who were the type to "jump quickly to a 'great' opportunity". Unfortunately for him, I'm more then just a pretty face and a nice body. I have a lot more brains then he thought I did. Hence why I did my research!!! I suggest others do research. Not just on talent agencies, but on anything!

www.ripoffreport.com is a great site to look for scams. I put a post about Rod on there, but I'm not sure if the website admin approved it or not. I hope they do. :) Because that guy should be stopped.

He didn't even pay his scouts all that much money either. The scout who discovered me (through MySpace of all places) ended up leaving Rod's "agency," once I let him know what I researched. I let him know what kind of person Rod was. The scout didn't even know that Rod was not licensed by the state of California. Now the scout is a music manager for a few bands, and he told me he's making more money with them, then he ever did with Rod. So apparently this guy is a tight wad when it comes to paying his employees.