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You are here: Experts > Industry > Broadcasting > TV Industry > Television Agents
Expert: Marrissa O`Leary
Date: 8/6/2008
Subject: Television Agents
Question
My partner and I have come up with a reality amazing idea for a reality show competition. Our first (after writing the treatment)was to contact an agent. His response was to for us to get high profile people in the entertainment industry attached (to be judges and/or guests on the show) and then come back to him. My first question is is this a typical response from an agent or is this something the agent usually helps with?
At this point we have managed to get several high profile people from the entertainment to commit to our show as well as a company to offer the grand prize. Our next step is pitching to production companies. We contacted this agent again to let him know our progress. We are considering hiring him for the pitching process but we are a bit apprehensive. Do you think it would be worthwhile for us to take on agent at this point? We do have other options in terms of trying to get a production deal, however we do feel it would be easier to use him.
Also what is a typical agent's percentage and is it wise to negotiate or it usually standard? If we do decide to use him we are probably going to continue to try and secure meetings on our own. If one of our meetings secures us a deal does the agent still get paid or does he only get paid if he gets us a deal?
Thanks so much for all your help.
Answer
Dear Jenil -
Thanks for the question. I apologize for the delay in getting back to you, as I have been a little under the weather this week.
Putting it briefly, I think you would do well to take advantage of this agent's interest. It will open so many doors and add an air of legitimacy to your pitch.
Agents traditionally get 10% of your revenue. If you get a company interested on your own, you would. still want to use the agent to negotiate, and therefor pay him. If it is a major agency, there is a chance the project may qualify for what we call a "package", in which case the agent actually gets paid by the program, as opposed to the clients, so you should definitely entertain that conversation with him.
Congratulations on your success thus far, and I look forward to hearing from you when that sale comes through!
Best,
Marrissa
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