ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXCan I terminate agency agreement before it's running out?
6 years, 2 months ago - Buppha Wittaya-Amponpunt
I have some legal issue here, I think. I had signed an exclusive agreement for 1 year with an acting agency about a month ago. But since then, they never contact me about possible jobs or whatsoever, not even invite me to weekly meeting, but I know they invite everybody else, and so on. I therefore felt being left out and would like to terminate my contract anyway. Can I do that?
I have spoken to other agencies, and they say 1 year is too long. It should be about 7 days only, so that people could change their mind.
Any advice would be very appreciated. Thanks.
Buppha
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6 years, 2 months ago - Marlom Tander
See an industry lawyer. He will tell you if the clause is likely to be enforceable in court, and, if enforced, what the consequences might be, for you, in your position. It is a civil matter, and it will cost them money to seek judgement, and most companies would not injunct you to keep to your side unless they thought they would make money from you.
Then you know where you stand.
My guess - a month isn't long enough. It might be the right roles haven't popped up. How long is long enough - lawyer knows. ALSO you need to be sure that you could not be construed as trying to cut them out because of an offer on the horizon. You cut them loose then, the next week you get offered a great part, expect them to sue in due course (they'll let you get paid, so you have funds to pay them their winnings).
Also available is the fun approach.
"Hi, it's all been very quiet, do you really want me on your books? Maybe I'm not what you are looking for".
"Hi, just following up. It's still not working. Can we go our separate ways, or at least non exclusive?...No...hmm"
"Hi, I'm doing a little blog and YT thing about being a struggling actress. There's one about you and my high hopes. But it's time to do another. Is it the one where I post the AWFUL WARNING to other actresses about how you should NEVER sign a 1 year exclusive, for example, like ABC agency made me sign...or the one where i advise against it but say how lovely the folks at ABC were when we realised our mistake".
For that one to work, you need a blog, with many posts, and at least one has to be about them - you looking forward to meeting them, the lovely people you signed with, that you are still hoping for work... You really want them to appear when they google their name :-)
Response from 6 years, 2 months ago - Marlom Tander SHOW
6 years, 2 months ago - Buppha Wittaya-Amponpunt
Hi Marlom, thanks for your useful advice. I think I will try the fun approach asking them honestly to go our separate ways. And how about if I consult a trade union?
Response from 6 years, 2 months ago - Buppha Wittaya-Amponpunt SHOW
6 years, 2 months ago - Marlom Tander
A trade union is always good - they should know if it's a clear case one way or the other.
Response from 6 years, 2 months ago - Marlom Tander SHOW
6 years, 2 months ago - Buppha Wittaya-Amponpunt
Thank you very much for your help. I have asked them following your advice. And we are now agreed that we go our separate ways. What a relief.
Kind regards,
Buppha
Response from 6 years, 2 months ago - Buppha Wittaya-Amponpunt SHOW