Expert: Kitty Kavey - 1/4/2007

Question
What if you sign a contract with the talent agency (I guess my mother would sign the contract since I'm only 17.) and then you move to a different state within like 6 months. Wouldn't I be stuck with the agent and have to stay until my contract was over? Also a fellow actor told me I should get an agent because I have a really unique look and I would like to start working professionally or start auditioning, but If I'am moving sometime during the summer what do you think I should do?
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
hello,
I would like to know What's the shortest contract you can sign with a talent agency? Besides the trial period contract(non-exclusive contract).
-----Answer-----
Normally, if you're talking about a non-exclusive contract, you're referring to a modeling agency - not a talent agency.
It is up to the individual agencies as to how their talent contracts read, subject of course to the state and guild laws/rules.  If you are hip-pocketed - a talent agent may be representing you to see how it goes before you sign a contract.  Or, you can sometimes negotiate with an agent to represent you only for one job (which I've done).  
There are even fewer laws/rules for modeling agencies, and they are much more focused on trying to prevent kickbacks, conflict-of-interest businesses, discrimination, etc. on the part of the agency, rather than the length of the contract.
~Kitty

Answer
Just tell the talent agent that you are moving in the summer, so need either a shorter contract (if their usual contract is for one year or more) or a clause added that when you leave the state, the contract ends.  If they are unwilling to work with you, they will say so.  Generally, most agencies are open to negotiation, particularly if you have a good reason.  They don't earn any money if you don't work, so it's better to have a marketable client for six months, than one less client altogether.  And again, if they're not open to negotiation, they probably aren't the right agent for you.  Sign with the agency who understands your situation, and see if they can't give you a referral to a new agent in the state you move to as well.  Referrals are everything in this industry!
Good luck to you,
~Kitty