DEAR JACKIE:
I am a union actor with an agent. However, I'm a firm believer in self-submitting and the pursuit of one's own career. Recently my agent called me with an audition for a feature film that I had submitted myself for. I nailed the audition and received a callback directly from the production office. I called my agent's assistant and told her the news. She asked if this was an audition the agency had sent me on, and I said yes. I also nailed the callback. A week later I received a call from the production offering me the part.
The production assistant who called knew me from a previous project. She told me that the production wasn't sure whether I had an agent. My agent's logo is in bold letters on the front of my headshot; my cell number is on the back. She asked for my current mailing and email addresses. She then started to talk about pay and travel arrangements and asked for my Social Security number. This did not sound like a conversation we should be having, so I declined to give her my SSN and advised her to contact my agent.
Ten minutes later I got a call from my agent. He first congratulated me on the booking—he did not sound genuine—then immediately began to tear into me. He asked why I had talked to her, saying I sealed the deal and left him no room to negotiate. He asked why my cell number is on my résumé, and I told him that there are smaller indie and student films that will not go through agents. He said what I did made him the middleman, which he is not. I told him that I felt all I did was answer the phone and receive good news.
But I didn't feel so good after that call. A few days later, I left him a message asking him to call me to discuss our last conversation. I wanted to fully explain what happened and be sure he knew I wasn't trying to do something shady, like cut them out of the deal. He never called me back. I then called the office and left two messages with his assistant, asking him to call me as soon as possible. There has been no word from him.
Do production companies try to get actors cheaper by avoiding their agents? Do you think I did anything wrong by listing my cell number on my résumé? I am a hard-working actor, pursuing my career every day. I refuse to sit back and allow only my agent to submit me. I feel that we are a team, but it makes it hard to work as a team when he won't return my calls. What should I do?
—Hard-Working Actor
via the Internet
DEAR HARD-WORKING:
Some production companies use the tactic of approaching an actor directly to save money or, more often, time. Small projects like these usually don't work with casting directors and do the work in-house. They don't necessarily understand the protocol, and even when they do, it can seem superfluous to deal with both you and a representative, especially when the pay is relatively minor. So although the production company should have contacted your agent, it was probably not trying to pull anything by calling your cell.
As for that cell number, putting it on your résumé is something you should have discussed with your agent beforehand. Agents will have differing views on this issue. Some prefer to be the only contact listed; others don't mind you adding your own number for smaller project submissions—especially ones that don't pay. Not that they don't want to work for you, but acting for free—or close to it—isn't deemed by all to be "work." When you and your agent reconnect, make sure you understand his preferences. Though I admire your work ethic, it's important to agree on a strategy with, as you put it, your team. I suggest you limit your printed information to your agent's logo and only add your number in pen when you submit yourself to something he doesn't want to cover, such as nonpaying theatre or student films. If he is determined to field calls for all your submissions, you'll have to decide whether submitting for those smaller projects that tend to avoid dealing with agents is worth giving up your representative. Often, a quick note on your résumé or in a cover letter can assure a fledgling production that your agent will welcome the call on your behalf and can bridge any perceived hassle.
However, many casting offices and production companies ask for direct contact information at an initial audition or callback anyway. Size and information cards ask for cell and home numbers and addresses along with your inseam. Some even ask for your Social Security number—which, by the way, you should never give out. Use your SAG member ID number or leave it blank. Social Security information is supposed to be used only after you have been cast. Any company wanting to avoid dealing with an agent can try calling you directly. And once in a while a casting director will call you with a legitimate issue. But these size cards bring up privacy issues as well: Is it safe to give out your address and home number—let alone your SSN—at every audition you attend? I don't think so.
Given all this, it sounds as if you did your best to be proactive and respectful. Although you self-submitted, you received the initial audition through your agent and informed him of the callback. You aren't responsible for the company contacting you directly with the booking, and you referred the P.A. to your agent as soon as she brought up contractual details. At this point, his refusal to return your calls is worrisome. I suggest you stop leaving messages and drop by his office this afternoon. Apologize for the miscommunication and ask to set up an appointment to discuss strategy for the future. Be sure you aren't defensive; stay open to his point of view. He, theoretically, is more experienced than you and may have concerns you haven't anticipated. You are looking for compromise. If he's worth hanging on to, he'll want to put this to bed as much as you do.
One more thing: Your agent's irritation at being seen as the "middleman" piqued my curiosity. I couldn't help looking it up. And though I don't suggest you bring this definition up in your conversation with him, it's too good not to share. From Merriam-Webster:
mid·dle·man
Function: noun
Date: 1677
An intermediary or agent between two parties; especially: a dealer, agent, or company intermediate between the producer of goods and the retailer or consumer.