Agents - getting out of a contract

[Joey D]

Has anyone had success getting out of an agency contract? My agent has dropped the ball on a number of issues over the last few months, but I still have another year with him.

Coupled with these mistakes and our differing opinions of where my career will go next, I'm hoping he'll see the light and let me out of my contract.

BTW, I currently have 2 years remaining on my current contract, which he negotiated.

Is it just a pipe dream that they may let me out of the agreement, am I likely stuck paying them for the remainder of my current contract regardless?

[Obewon]

Please let this be a lesson, not to you as you are SCREWED, but to the other future budding superstars out there.

Agents are poison. They exist only to play on the egos of those they sign and to extract from them a percentage of their income that is equaled only by a democrat running for re-election.

I don't mean this as an insult to you personally, I promise. But at some point you people who want to "be on TV" need to get some brains.

If you signed the contract that did not provide outs for the things you say he didn't do, then you are SCREWED. Presumably, you are over 21. Momma can't help and dadda can't help you.

If you insist on hiring these leeches then at the very least get a lawyer to review the contract and get you some outs.

That is only common sense and yet nobody does it.

Agents (who are only a step or two away from a real estate agent) ply you with talk about how talented and beautiful your are and how they are going to get you millions of $ and get you on The View or some other worthless human endeavor. And you BUY IT because you ego tells you it is true and you really are going to be the next Rosie the fat *****.

Come on folks...GROW UP. These cretins are preying on you. Do you want to continue being prey or stand up on your hind legs? There is nothing an agent can do for you that you can't do for yourself, except extort ten percent of your income every paycheck.

[NewsMom]

To answer your question: yes, you're dreaming.

Why on earth would an agent give up 2 years' worth of income you've agreed to pay him/her? Because your agent's just plain nice?

[Charlie Brown]

this is why you really have to do your homework before signing away thousands of dollars in future income. I was in this situation not too long ago myself - had several agents reach out to me who were telling me how talented I was and how I belonged in a bigger market than the one I was in at the time...and I was all ready to sign until I did my homework...needless to say, I didn't wind up signing and wound up landing in a bigger market on my own. Best decision that I never made, hands down. Going along with what other posters are saying, the chances that an agent is going to forfeit thousands of dollars because YOU aren't happy is slim to none. Put yourself in their shoes - if someone was paying you thousands of dollars to absolutely nothing, would you give it up over some hurt feelings on their end? I'm guessing you would not.

Small market reporters and recent grads who are still looking for a job, let the initial post be a lesson to you.

[Anchor_27]

what about getting out of a station contract one year in when you signed a three year?

[PKGable]

Has anyone on this site had a good experience with an agent? Anything you would put in the contract that you didn't? Any advice would be appreciated.

[Meow Meow]

Agents are not all bad. I've had good and bad experiences. It depends on the agency, your expectations and your goals.

[Omega Man]

Do your research and if you don't want to be held to a contract don't sign the freaking thing.

[ October 31, 2007, 12:46 AM: Message edited by: Omega Man ]

[hoosiergirl]

You will at the very least still have to pay through your station contract. Then if you re-up with said station you may end up paying the agency again even if your contract with the agency is over.

That's because many of these agency contracts state that you pay them for as long as you're at whatever station they negotiated the original contract.

I think if you do not re-sign with the agency and pay through your current contract with the station, you may be able to talk your way out of paying through another station contract. You need to go over your agency contract and see what you agreed to.

[thenewsleader12345]

yes...you have to pay the agent for the remainder of the time you are at your current station..end of story. They "helped you land that gig". The whole point of the contract with the agent is so they get that money. You need to cut your losses...ask the agent to be released when your current station contract is up. And have him NOT help you find your next job... cause then you would have to pay him for the NEXT job...if he sends a tape to a place that hires you. So you will need to do the next search yourself... but still pay him through the end of your deal at the station.
Sucks..I know.. but thats the committment you made.

[thenewsleader12345]

you said he negotiated your contract. Then he is entitled to pay for the ENTIRE length of the contract. Thats not fair to cut off his percentage half way through, just cause you arent happy with him.
Thats like your current tv station saying: 'I know we agreed to pay you for 2 years..but we arent gonna pay you the second year of the contract..cause we dont like you anymore"

[ISTHISTHINGON?]

My agent situation is bittersweet. He landed me two great jobs...then I renewed for a major promotion at same station. I did everything with negotiations. Agent still got everything and never had to send out a tape. That really sux, but then again, I'd never be in my position now had he not got the previous job. I'll pay him this contract and then be gone though.