What’s the best way for an actor to leave their agent? Blog 3 of 3

Today we’re going to talk about how to leave an agent.
You’ve signed with this agent, it seemed really positive and everyone was excited, and here we are months if not a year (or years) later and it has just died. They’re not returning phone calls, they haven’t sent you out in a long time, you are out of sight and out of mind. Maybe it’s because they’re not strong enough, maybe it’s because they got some feedback on your work from a director or casting director or somebody. As soon as they get anything negative, you have one foot out the door whether you realize it or not. No matter what has led to this, the relationship is broken and it’s time to move on.
I can’t stress this enough: The importance of being a class act in every professional relationship you have in this industry. This is such a relationship business and you don’t want to burn any bridges, even though you’re leaving. So how do you do it?
I would always recommend that you do it in person. Ask if they have a chance to meet, sit down with them to go over some things. If you can get that meeting in front of them, it would go something like:
“I want to thank you so much for this opportunity. We’ve been together now for the last year (or whatever the number is) and I’ve been very grateful for the auditions you’ve provided and the opportunities to work. It’s been clear for some time that things have stalled and I’ve tried to take a look on my end as to what I have done or haven’t done that has contributed to that, and to address that so that I could support you in the best way possible. But even after addressing those, it still feels like it’s just not moving forward. So I’m here today to see if you agree with that. And if you do agree, then we can face the truth and reality which it seems like it might be time to move on. If I’m wrong about that, then I’d love to know what I might have missed or if there’s still strong interest and belief in me, in my talent, in where I’m headed. I’d love to know if there’s still that confidence. If there’s not, no problem whatsoever. If that’s the case, then this is a chance to formally thank you for what you gave me a year ago by being represented by a strong agent in a strong agency. I’m very grateful for the opportunity, but it seems like it’s time for us both to part ways and move on.”
Something like that, it’s just off the top of my head. It’s also just “off the top of my head” after years of experience of having to take that meeting and having that uncomfortable conversation.
If they won’t meet you in person, then of course you’d have to do it by email. I prefer not doing it that way, but it just might come down to that. I’m hesitating because I’m really uncomfortable with that. When students of ours, deep into the training, decide to move on and they send us an email, it is (in my opinion) so unprofessional and not the classy way to handle it. You should come in, look the person in the eye and say, “Look, this just isn’t working for me. I want to thank you for everything that you gave me. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity and I wish you the very best.” Then your side of the street is clean and it ends positive.
So that’s my advice on how to get that first agent, how to support them, and then today how to gracefully, professionally, respectfully, talentedly leave your agent. We’ll see you next week, we’ve got plenty more and please let us know what you think by posting your comments below.
 
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Ok, see you next Wednesday so until then my very best to you,
My best,
Jim