Managers and Agencies, Ugh!

For the past seven years, while I've been in this industry as a Producer/Director, I have always cast my own actors. I spend countless hours online going through websites, talking to guys interested in working, etc. and have never had a problem putting together a great cast of guys.

Recently, I decided to give the agencies a try. I thought perhaps I can save a lot of time and energy by using guys who have already been screened, etc. by these agents. I put in a request to work with three guys I found at one agency that has been around for awhile. I received a reply that they were all able to work. And for the past three weeks, countless emails have gone unanswered. My shoot is a few weeks out, flights need to be booked, so unfortunately I won't be able to work the three actors I chose with this agency. I've yet to hear back from him. No explanation or anything. Extremely frustrating.

I also attempted to use another agency. I sent over my interests, about 20 actors. Out of them all, only one was available. Why send me over 30 actors if only one is able to work? There was this one really cute one that I asked over and over about. Never got an answer to his availability. On top of this, if I wanted to use an actor with this agency, I had to pay the agency a per scene rate on top of the actors fee. What is that all about? I've heard of finders fees, which I still feel is ridiculous, but a per scene fee on top of the actors per scene rate? Without producers, the actors have no work. If we have to pay per scene rates on top of actor per scene rates, I imagine a lot of these actors are going to lose a great deal of work with producers. For fucks sake, I'd be out of business if I had to do that for every actor I used. I'm not in business to employ an agency who merely sends a photo of an actor. And I'm sure the actor must also pay the agency. This is robbery my friends. The actors per scene rate was within the budget, but as soon as I had to add the agencies fees, which I was just notified of, I am over budget. So none of the actors that this agency has to offer will ever get the chance to work with me, which is a shame as they had some good ones.

I did some work on the legit side of things out in Hollywood, back in the day worked for a major studio. I have many good friends who still work in the industry. Hollywood Agencies/Managers take a small percentage of their clients pay. They don't charge the studios, producers fees for the use of their clients. That's how it works in the legitimate world. But because we are non union, and 'porn', these agents and managers get away with this shit. And it pisses me off to no end. Actors should have the ability to work with whom they want! But as I said, will lose opportunities to work with great studios who can't justify additional pay and fees. Not everyone is a ChiChi Channel 1 studio. It takes many, many years to achieve this status.

So take some very good advice new actors, think long and hard before you sign on with one of these agencies. I realize you as an actor don't care what they charge the studios, but for the smaller studios like myself, who pay the going per scene rate, won't be able to work you with your agency fees in place. Smaller studios like myself can be quite beneficial as we film constantly and will use you a great deal more than a larger studio. So in the long run, you can make more money working for a smaller studio who will use you 5 times more than a larger studio who may pay you a few hundred more per scene and use you once or twice.

Agents must be insured and bonded in each state where they do business. If they aren't, they aren't legal or legit. They can't run their businesses out of their homes. They must have a separate place of business. There are laws and regulations put in place for agencies to protect actors such as yourself. It matters not that it's not Hollywood, an agent and agency still must adhere to the regulations. So do your homework guys, and do what you feel is right for your future.

This industry needs a legit agency out there really really badly. I wish I had the time to do it myself!

Afton Nills Still Recovering

We just wanted to update everyone on Afton's condition. He was scheduled to film the second week of July, however due to his illness has been postponed until further notice.

Afton caught a bad case of the flu on Saturday, the 27th and has been confined to bed ever since. His recovery is moving along slowly, but surely.

If you've tried to contact Afton regarding July's shoot, or Twinklight, please look for a reply sometime next week when we expect him to be back up and running.

Thanks