View Full Version : Producer Agents??
nctvchick
Apr 2nd 2007, 05:10 PM
Looking for advice. I've been a producer for years(including major market)and have even done some reporting. I am now considering a field producing job. Any suggestions? Do you need an agent to land those gigs? If so, do you know any that specialize in producers?
2:30
Apr 3rd 2007, 11:42 AM
Bienstock does producers as well as talent.
TVMattNYC
Apr 4th 2007, 12:13 PM
Originally posted by 2:30:
Bienstock does producers as well as talent.Unless you've got 10 years of NETWORK producing experience and are looking for EP level jobs, Bienstock won't even talk to you.
McCovey Cove Returns
Apr 4th 2007, 01:07 PM
I sniffed around a few years ago when I was looking to move up. Matt is pretty much dead on. Unless you've been around the block with the big boys, you're simply Joe Smith or Jane Doe to them. Most places told me they'd negotiate a contract and that was it. The others simply didn't respond.
CKMD
Apr 4th 2007, 07:06 PM
Agents for producers are like consultants for the newsroom...waste of time, money and energy.
[ April 04, 2007, 08:06 PM: Message edited by: Can't Keep Me Down ]
TVMattNYC
Apr 5th 2007, 01:34 PM
Originally posted by Can't Keep Me Down:
Agents for producers are like consultants for the newsroom...waste of time, money and energy.Perhaps for most producers.
But unless you're personal friends with David Westin and you're going for the EP gig at GMA, it'll never happen WITHOUT an agent like Bienstock.
Produce man
Apr 5th 2007, 02:08 PM
Originally posted by Can't Keep Me Down:
Agents for producers are like consultants for the newsroom...waste of time, money and energy.How do you draw that conclusion? I know it's not from personal experience.
Stack It
Apr 5th 2007, 03:34 PM
Oh, there are agents that will represent producers, but you better be some big shot with network experience. Most places won't even bother with stackers at local affiliates. The agencies that do will only deal with producers in major markets, and the only service they will provide is contract negotiation. In other words, save the time and do a little networking on your own to land a field producer gig. It's just like starting out in the business; the hard part is getting in, once you're in the door others will open.
Edited to add:
I'm not sure why you'd go to an agency to get a contract negotiated when you can get a lawyer to do the same work. Especially if you work in say LA or San Francisco, considering most agencies are in NYC.
[ April 05, 2007, 04:41 PM: Message edited by: Stack It ]
CKMD
Apr 5th 2007, 05:34 PM
Originally posted by TVMattNYC:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Can't Keep Me Down:
Agents for producers are like consultants for the newsroom...waste of time, money and energy.Perhaps for most producers.
But unless you're personal friends with David Westin and you're going for the EP gig at GMA, it'll never happen WITHOUT an agent like Bienstock.</font>[/QUOTE]Yes...for most, but I went without an agent for a NET job and turned them down. It's possible for some.
I used an agent once to help me out...but didn't sign.
[ April 05, 2007, 07:27 PM: Message edited by: Can't Keep Me Down ]
CKMD
Apr 5th 2007, 05:35 PM
Originally posted by Produce man:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Can't Keep Me Down:
Agents for producers are like consultants for the newsroom...waste of time, money and energy.How do you draw that conclusion? I know it's not from personal experience.</font>[/QUOTE]Talking from your ass.
[ April 05, 2007, 07:28 PM: Message edited by: Can't Keep Me Down ]
McCovey Cove Returns
Apr 6th 2007, 12:52 AM
Originally posted by Produce man:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Can't Keep Me Down:
Agents for producers are like consultants for the newsroom...waste of time, money and energy.How do you draw that conclusion? I know it's not from personal experience.</font>[/QUOTE]We know you have no personal experience since you want to work in a real newsroom.
kybubba
Apr 18th 2007, 05:41 PM
I'd rather slit my own throat than be friends with David Westin. The man is an ASS. He has NO experience in the newsroom and it's clear his position is a patronage one.
This is the f***ing idiot who cancelled the late news a few years back to extend coverage--told all the affils to send their anchors home and then changed his mind at 10:58 to wrap and sent a ton of affiliates into black because we were told they were cancelling our late news. David Westin is a TOOL.
TVMattNYC
Apr 18th 2007, 08:03 PM
Originally posted by kybubba:
I'd rather slit my own throat than be friends with David Westin. The man is an ASS. He has NO experience in the newsroom and it's clear his position is a patronage one.
This is the f***ing idiot who cancelled the late news a few years back to extend coverage--told all the affils to send their anchors home and then changed his mind at 10:58 to wrap and sent a ton of affiliates into black because we were told they were cancelling our late news. David Westin is a TOOL.You're entitled to your opinion.
You're also entitled to blow off any chances of exec producing any show at ABC News.
kybubba
Apr 19th 2007, 07:58 AM
That's fine..I wouldn't want to work under an unqualified suit anyway....
I'm at network O and O's anyhow and thank god their not owned by ABC...
TVMattNYC
Apr 19th 2007, 10:39 AM
Originally posted by kybubba:
That's fine..I wouldn't want to work under an unqualified suit anyway....
I'm at network O and O's anyhow and thank god their not owned by ABC...Right.
No unqualified suits running ANY network O-and-Os.
2:30
Apr 19th 2007, 10:46 AM
Maybe they wouldn't talk to *you*, Matt.
kybubba
Apr 19th 2007, 12:39 PM
Well TV Matt, aren't you a prissy little snob?
You think you know it all and your SH** doesn't stink?
Look in the mirror and how you just spoke to me. David Westin was responsible for hundreds of ABC affiliates nationwide going dark becauase of his mismanagement. It was a "mistake" that should have led to his firing and I, as management at the time at a local affiliate, did NOT appreciate his lack of skill and indecisiveness. He's one of those guys that falls upward and everyone knows it.
Now then, quit talking down to everyone and show some graciousness in your life.
TVMattNYC
Apr 19th 2007, 01:46 PM
Originally posted by kybubba:
Well TV Matt, aren't you a prissy little snob?
You think you know it all and your SH** doesn't stink?
Look in the mirror and how you just spoke to me. David Westin was responsible for hundreds of ABC affiliates nationwide going dark becauase of his mismanagement. It was a "mistake" that should have led to his firing and I, as management at the time at a local affiliate, did NOT appreciate his lack of skill and indecisiveness. He's one of those guys that falls upward and everyone knows it.
Now then, quit talking down to everyone and show some graciousness in your life.I stand by my words.
Take a chill, dude.
CKMD
Apr 19th 2007, 07:43 PM
Matt...you never responded to the posts where people without agents did get interviews but turned the jobs down.
TVMattNYC
Apr 19th 2007, 08:20 PM
Originally posted by Can't Keep Me Down:
Matt...you never responded to the posts where people without agents did get interviews but turned the jobs down.And sometimes rivers flow north.
Your point?
CKMD
Apr 20th 2007, 06:54 AM
My point is that you threw out a blanket statement and ignored something that showed it was wrong.
I mean...you should see the point being a big shot network producer.
TVMattNYC
Apr 20th 2007, 11:13 AM
Originally posted by Can't Keep Me Down:
My point is that you threw out a blanket statement and ignored something that showed it was wrong.
I mean...you should see the point being a big shot network producer.Frankly I really couldn't be bothered ...