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Originally Posted by joej75 Could you explain the Mother angency clause that you are referring to? I am never to old to learn new things. Thanks |
Most models and actors sign with a number of agencies. In larger markets, they'll have a specific agency for print, for commercial, and for theatrical work. Then additional, representation in other cities or regions. In Texas, as a for instance, it is common for a model or actor to have an agent in Dallas and Austin. Sometimes even in the other two key markets, San Antonio and Houston. A few of our harder working kids have agents in L.A. as well.
A mother agency acts as somewhat a coordinator of other agents that a model may have. This is often done when an agency is in a smaller market and wishes to help the model achieve more opportunities. They then help that model sign with other agencies in larger markets, or abroad. The mother agency continues to find them work within their own client base, but also receives a certain percentage from all work the model achieves throug the other agency(s). An exclusive contract alone cannot achieve this. A mother agency is not unlike obtaining personal management, though really is significantly different. Selling someone's contract, in many places, probably has many legal considerations that a mother agency does not have to worry over. It's like selling a gold mine for $100 when there is $1000 a day coming out of it - why not take 10% of that and share the fortune? In fact, if after investing in someone and they are good enough to be of interest to larger agencies, I'd certainly prefer tagging along as the "mother agent" for a piece of the action vs. some sort of lump sum buyout (which most larger agencies probably wouldn't bother playing with unless in negotiation to acquire a superstar). Agencies governed by state laws should make sure they understand the State's Rules and Regulations before even attempting such a thing. Those individuals over the years that I've found to have that extra potential to achieve, I've put under personal management to achieve the same thing.
I just pulled this piece out of an article I had written several years ago. It only touches on the Mother Agent thing but does cover, in overview, the various types of contracts:
Agencies generally work with 2 different types of contract (3, really, but we'll discuss the 3rd at the end). The first is EXCLUSIVE. An exclusive contract binds you to that agency for anything that you do. If you find work through them, or on your own, you're responsible for providing them whatever agreed upon commission percentage is in your contract. The second type of contract with an agency is the NON-EXCLUSIVE. In this agreement, you owe the agency only percentage when they actually book your work. What you do on your own is your affair and they are not cut in. Now this is the better deal for the model/talent in many ways, however, may also mean less attention paid to you by the agent if they also represent exclusive folks.
Many models/talent have several agencies. This gets complicated. First off, you need to find out what your contract allows. In most, you cannot have a competing agency within the same geographic region. Another words, if you are in Los Angeles and have a print agent, you generally can also have one in, say... San Francisco. Most agencies will specify their geographic boundaries. In addition, some talent have various agency types (which may be in the same region). This may be a Print Agent, and a separate Theatrical Agent... or some variation on that order.
This brings us, finally, to the 3rd variation, which is the Mother Agency. A mother agency becomes somewhat the "coordinator" for you if you have multiple agents. I won't go into detail on this because you probably don't have to worry about that right now.
MANAGEMENT, as in Personal Manager, is probably the most confused aspect of all this... especially on the Internet where so many photographers want to "manage" models. Most tell the model they can get them work and might even actually book them for car shows or something. In actuality, however, a real manager does not specifically get a model work at all... agents do that. Manager and Agent are two different things and which often work hand-in-hand for a model/actor together. Agents acquire jobs. Managers manage a career - they point direction, help review agreements, arrange for PR, oversee finances and legal aspects, make introductions, and help you secure good agency representation. In many states, both managers and agents are required to carry a bond, and be licensed.
01-30-2007, 11:58 AM
Re: for info purposes 
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