The Winds of Change by Darryl Morris It goes without saying that an argument with the casting director was not exactly the dream ending to my first TV gig. I felt a little deflated that evening, not helped by a long and stressful couple of days on set. It sometimes takes a run in like this to give you a kick up the arse and that’s exactly what it did. I got home fairly late in the evening with a wind in my sale. If anything, I wanted to stick it to that woman through success. I imagined the moment we met again and I could tell her what I really thought, without fear.
It’s not exactly the main driving force behind my career but it was a nice kick in the right direction at the time. The next question was what direction did I want that to be? I’d toyed with the idea of looking into talent management for a while, I had a feeling I’d know when I was ready. A lot of the other cast members had agents while I got the gig through school. I wasn’t exactly equipped to take on the industry on my own. I began, for the first time, to think I might have come as far as I could.
Agents are funny beasts, often portrayed in a bad light. It’s true to say that they aren’t for everyone. I’ve had quite a few conversations with people who, when questioned about being represented, have sprung to the defence of their own abilities to get work. This is sometimes through bad experiences and the golden rule when dealing with an agent is trust. If you rush into a deal with somebody you don’t know, it can all end in tears. Agents take a cut of the earnings from work they get you; anything from 10-30%. The main attributes an agent has is contacts and the ability to negotiate deals on your behalf, getting the best out of a contract. They are people who know the industry inside out aswel as knowing and being known by the key players. You have to research carefully before you start to work with somebody. Have a look at the other clients they represent and their careers. Take advice of everybody and anybody and most importantly, carefully look at the relationship you have with them. If you feel you’re not going to get on then how can you trust them to manage your career?
I asked myself these questions as I sat down and looked through a few names. I drafted out a positive sounding email & attached my CV before sending it to a few agents I was aware of. The next day, a couple got back to me with some level of interest but one stood out. He said that he was always interested in meeting new talent and that we should meet up for a chat. That was it! That was the result I was looking for; something positive and pro-active. Exactly what I wanted my career to be!
Agents are businessmen and women so I find it odd that some are surprised or in some way disappointed by their desire to make money. When it comes to picking jobs, it’s important to strike the right balance between career progression, satisfaction and financial gain. It’s also important to find an agent that understands that. You can make a move for millions, but if it stumps your career or leaves you in a position you don’t want to be in, then what’s the point? That money might be nice at first, but in the long run, career longevity and happiness is just as important. The more money you’re agent makes you, the more they earn themselves, so on the face of it you don’t have much to lose. It’s a tricky business and I can’t tell you how it should be done but there are a few golden rules. Number one for me is never, ever pay out. Any agent worth his or her salt doesn’t charge you. If you have to pay a fee to sign with them, run a mile.
I was quite well aware of the agent that I was keen to meet. His company was London based and he we arranged a date that he’d be up in Manchester to get together for a chat. I knew how important this was going to be. Right there at that moment in time, I needed him more than he needed me. I had to get this right. He managed the careers of a fair few big names so I was aware that this wasn’t a small meeting. If I could get this guy on board, it would be the next big step up for my career. I’d be playing with the big boys and it soon became clear that this was the most significant moment so far.
The date crept closer and the thought of the meeting made my now unbearable college time a little less painful. I truly detested the place; every bit of energy I had to give went into my hatred. It’s not a good thing, I know, but much like the encounter with the horrible casting director, it drove me onto wanting better. My media studies class summed up the use education would be to me. We spent hours on end sat listening to a woman who’s actual role was to teach English, harp on about absolutely nothing at all. No enthusiasm, no conviction and no effort. The only thing that actually kept me going was the social life.
Before I knew it, the day had arrived. I had a pretty rough night and what patchy time I did spend asleep, I dreamt out scenarios; all of which, however, were positive. I distinctly remember one very positive moment in which he turned to me and said, “Yes, let’s go for it”. I held that moment in my head as I went off to Manchester. We’d agreed to meet in a nice trendy place just off Deansgate locks called ‘Atlas Bar’. I knew of the place, but wasn’t familiar with its exact location, a quick search on Google maps and I was more than confident.
Deansgate locks are made up of quite a few different places & I wasn’t exactly sure which one it was. A police officer walked past as I got off the train. “Excuse me” I said. “Where is Atlas Bar?” He pointed to a run down looking mess. “The sign just says bar” I said. “Ye, that’s Atlas Bar”. Well, if you can’t trust a copper, who can you trust? We where due to meet at 4 and I arrived 10mins early. The clock ticked by and 4pm came and past. I was getting more and more nervous as I waited. “Not to worry” I thought, everybody is late sometimes. Maybe he’d been caught up with some stropping super star client. Maybe he’d forgotten? That was very good was it? What an awful start. 5pm arrived and I was very worried. This is not how I’d expected it to pan out & I suddenly became worried that maybe I was in the wrong place. I mean, this was supposed to be a nice trendy place for an agent to meet a possible client and here I was standing outside a place that looked like Amy Winehouse had been sick on.
Feeling a bit miffed and a little lost, I decided to venture down the road a bit. I walked down Deansgate lock and my heart sank as I noticed in the corner of my eye a sign. ‘Atlas Bar’. That’s it. There is was. The place I should have been and place I’d left a big time agent waiting for over an hour. I approached the door and had a scout around. He wasn’t there. He must have been and gone. I couldn’t believe it. The most important moment of my career so far and I’…
To be continued…