Expert: Charles Taylor - 5/1/2008

Question
I have noticed a lot of agents and manager websites out there but I dont want to throw away the hard earned money that I made in agency fees if I dont have to. Can you help me decide?

Answer
Well this is a double sided question. There are a lot of self serve websites that will provide potential models/talent with current job opportunities. There are many different types from the model profile websites to the buffet style websites that have a specific section where you can either place or answer ads in.

The only trouble with either of these things is that they are both basically a "crap shoot". The modeling sites usually charge a "fee" for producers to become members to actively search and gain contact information and don’t charge the potential models anything to get listed. The other style as I mentioned above the more buffet type of websites don’t ask for any money for the model or the client at anytime so there are MANY important reasons why that extra money you pay out to an agent/manager is actually benefiting YOU in the long run.

Personally I WOULD NOT recommend using sexyjobs.com, craigslist.com or any of the others like them.

My first example is the case of Zoey Zane-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Emily_Sander

This is a perfect example of a woman going at it solo and not having an adequate competent manager or agent. Situations of this nature do not arise from legitimate managers/agents since all of the producers that they work with go through a stringent background verification check. Now this is not to say that everything is going to go “perfectly fine” all the time….there will be shoot cancellations, occasionally a bounced check here and there, maybe you will even get Chlamydia once or twice during your career in porn. But you will be safe as far as your LIFE is concerned……and in general your HEALTH as well since Chlamydia is a treatable STD.


So what would have happened to Zoey Zane (Emily Sander) differently if she had been with a manager/agent? The answer to that is she probably would still be with us here today…..But like I have said before there are all relative realistic risks that are taken by normal “square” people everyday in life and it increases to a degree when you’re in the “porn world”. So the age old adage that “shit happens” is usually true. But like I said before I truly believe without a doubt that this would have NOT happened to her if she had been with the right people.


Well let me get back to more reasons to why you actually do need an agent/manager. First as I already stated they will filter the “junk”, “crappy” or “cheapo” shoots…there is a “standard adult industry pay scale” and they already know this…they also want to make $$$ too….so chances are that they wont give you a low paying shoot since they will not be able to collect a higher commission from you.


So let’s review…….reasons why to have one…..


1)   They will watch your back……your more important alive to them…how are they going to make any $$$ off you if your dead. So you will only have actual “legitimate shoots”.
2)   They will always get you the highest paying shoots……it only helps their bottom line if they can charge you a higher commission.
3)   They will keep you as busy as you want to be….naturally depending on your looks and limitations.
4)   They will usually keep you up to date on everything…..from your industry standard STD/HIV test to your Manicure. Most of them also have “houses” where you can stay while you’re out working and will provide transportation to and from your shoots.


Hope this helps in making your decision in either going by yourself independent or going through an agency/manager.