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Agent commissions


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I've recently been pursued by an agent and have had some nice conversation with them. However they are wanting to get a piece of my equipment rental as part of their commission. This doesn't seem right to me and I wanted to throw it out to the greater Steadicam community for feedback. I've never heard of an agent getting anything past labour, has anyone else?

While I am interested in not having to deal with negotiations with Production monetarily and also the potential contacts they could offer, I also want to protect my investment. I have a lot of money invested at this point and don't feel comfortable paying someone else for my financial risk.

I'd really love to hear peoples thoughts on this topic.

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I've had an agent for 17 or 18 years. There aren't too many that specialize in steadicam out there, and I've never heard of anyone trying to take a commission on equipment. I'm guessing the person you are talking to is new to the steadicam market and my advice would be to stay far away from them - bad enough to get screwed by producers, you don't need that from someone you are already paying handsomely.

 

Brooks

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With all my ho's, I negotiate and demand a piece of their hourly but never even considered taking a percentage of their accessory rental that they work out with the client as long as it's a standard package. Start adding flan and livestock and I think I am entitled to a little more off the top.

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  • 4 weeks later...
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Ants;

 

I don't know specifics but I thinks it's a direct pay from the operator.

 

Why would a production put themselves in the middle of your private agreement with an agent?

(These days they would certainly not do anything they don't have to do.)

 

Also, the last 10-20% that any agent might get is really your profit margin, it's maybe just a few hundred dollars but boy it's a hard check to write. They have earned it no question but it's a numbers thing and it makes you consider how you run your business.

 

Janice

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Depends on the Agent. There is a box to check on Union start paperwork to have all monies sent to your agent (labor - CAUSE YOU SHOULD NOT BE PAYING THEM ANYTHING ON YOUR GEAR). My agent has us pay him directly. You just send a copy of your pay stub that shows the break down along with you payment (you pay 10% of the Gross labor - minus Meal Penalties, Vacation Pay and Hazard Pay).

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