Premium Members Christopher Moone Posted July 10, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members David Allen Grove Posted July 10, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 They want part of your rental? Nooooo. My agent NEVER received any part of my rental. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Alec Jarnagin SOC Posted July 10, 2015 Moderators Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 You know my thoughts Chris, but since this is public, I'll say them here as well.... "Not a chance. You gonna pay for ten percent of my gear?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members brooksrobinson Posted July 10, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RonBaldwin Posted July 11, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RonBaldwin Posted July 11, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 Oh sorry...wrong forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mike McGowan SOC Posted July 11, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 Russell Todd has been my agent and friend for most of my steadicam career. He's an amazing guy and he's helped me get where I am today. He has never suggested taking a piece of my kit (nor do I think any other legit agents). Just say no. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Ants Martin Vahur Posted August 7, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 Since I've never had one- how does this agent thing work? Does he invoice the production and then he pays to you, minus his cut, or he just makes deals and contracts and you invoice the production directly or how does it go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Janice Arthur Posted August 7, 2015 Moderators Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Alec Jarnagin SOC Posted August 7, 2015 Moderators Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 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). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Ants Martin Vahur Posted August 11, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 Thanks, Janice and Alec! So, you don't have to pay a cut to an agent from meal penalties nor vacation nor hazard pay? Do you pay from overtime? AntsMartin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Alec Jarnagin SOC Posted August 11, 2015 Moderators Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 Yes, on over time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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