Nov_Dec_1998
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<strong>Nov</strong>ember/<strong>Dec</strong>ember, <strong>1998</strong><br />
Working<br />
with an<br />
agent<br />
By Kathy "Pickles" Dhlngra<br />
178 Carey Circle<br />
Stoughton, MA 02072-1669<br />
Wow -- they called with a job! How exciting that<br />
someone who books other entertainers has called you to<br />
perform under their company name. Imagine working for an<br />
agent or sub-contracting for another clown -- have you<br />
reached the big time? You bet, and it is an awesome<br />
responsibi lity for you and your agent or contractor. Do you<br />
know what to do? Did you ask?<br />
It is quite a pleasure to work for someone else, but<br />
there are rules to follow and many things you should know<br />
before you accept work from someone else.<br />
First, I reco mmend you have an in-depth conversation<br />
with the agent/sub-contractor, and cover expectat ions as<br />
well as any possible scenario you can think of. The agent<br />
has probably experienced all the highs and lows this line of<br />
work has to offer and is still brave enough to take on the<br />
additional responsibilities of farming work out. Get all the<br />
group rules laid out up front so you're comfortable working<br />
for this person's company.<br />
One agent I work for has become a mentor as well as a<br />
friend. I am confident that she will live up to her end of the<br />
bargain. In turn, I must work hard to ensure that her good<br />
name and reputation continues on through me.<br />
So what should you discuss with an agent? You need<br />
to determine your pay and how you will receive it. The agent<br />
usually takes a portion of the fee which covers their<br />
miscellaneous expenses, such as time spent on the phone<br />
booking jobs , phone expense, advertising, and the<br />
occas ional free party, refund or entertainment fee they<br />
have to dole out because someone less than professional<br />
botched a gig, or a client did not pay their fee.<br />
You may sometimes collect the balance (which is your<br />
payment) directly from the client after your performance, or<br />
you may receive payment from the<br />
agent days after the performance<br />
date. You should know this<br />
arrangement up front.<br />
How far are you willing to travel?<br />
personally like to stay within a onehour<br />
radius of home . I know other<br />
clowns who will go as far as it takes if<br />
the price is right. Is a travel fee<br />
incorporated into your pay, or will you<br />
receive an additional travel stipend<br />
for travel greater than, say, 50 miles?<br />
Talk this over with the agent.<br />
What is your availability? Do you<br />
work at any time at all, or do you limit<br />
work to an occasional weekend? An<br />
agent doesn't want to keep<br />
hearing,"Nah, can't do it cuz I'm changing my Brita water<br />
filter that Saturday ." Let them know if you'll take lots of work<br />
or occasional work.<br />
The worst case scenario is, what if the client cancels at<br />
the last minute ... like when you show up? That has<br />
happened to me twice. Both times it was the first time I was<br />
hired by a new agent. And guess what. .. I never discussed<br />
this scenario with the agent up front, so I lost sleep on two<br />
occasions wondering if the agent was going to pay me. In<br />
both cases I was compensated for my time. However , you<br />
can be sure I will discuss that the next time I talk to any<br />
agent.<br />
I want all my bases covered when it comes to pay, as I<br />
never want to have to confront anyone or put anyone on<br />
the spot. You can always choose not to work for someone if<br />
the payment system does not satisfy your situation.<br />
Hopefully, you'll reach a comfort level with your agent and<br />
know they're good for the money.<br />
So, now, what do you owe the agent? A good honest<br />
day's work and advertisement of their company. That's right,<br />
you work for them so you hand out their coloring sheet,<br />
their business cards and literature. In some cases you may<br />
be able to write your clown name on the business card or<br />
coloring sheet, like "Ask for Pickles." Again , make sure you<br />
discuss this with the agent ahead of time, as they may<br />
provide all the literature or give you the okay to put their<br />
business name on your coloring sheet.<br />
Another reason to discuss it up front is it may be more<br />
complicated than it appears . For example, I work for an<br />
agent who has me perform at a birthday party place. If I get<br />
solicited at that establishment, I am to hand out the birthday<br />
party place's card. If in doubt ask, ask, ask. I If you think you<br />
can get away with handing out your own card$ while working<br />
for an agent , you're wrong, wrong, wrong. It is dishonest<br />
and unfair to the company that hired you. All repeat<br />
24 The New Calliope
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