Representing "Established" Film Crew Positions

Talent Agents: The good, the bad, and the 10% annoyance factor

Let's face it. In the business of entertainment, it is often not what you know but who you know. Established talent working under the representation of large agencies often cringe and gripe about having to pay 10% to their agent, when 90% of the time, the work is offered to them via their social working network, not via their agent.

While talent agents have an obligation to promote and represent their client's best interest and initially handle the contractual interactions between their client and Production to work the deal, is it fair to take 10% of gross earnings for a few days worth of work when the client found the job on their own?

A feeling of imbalance is often created between agents and established clients because of what they charge for the amount of work performed. As is common in the film industry, the Director finds the work by word of mouth and then chooses the Cinematographer, who then chooses the Camera, Grip, and Electric crew. In almost all cases, Agents and Production managers are not the decision-makers in the staffing process.

Here is where Ranger Dakota Productions differs: A flat 4% commission on gross earnings, providing you a professional and personal service throughout the entire process. I have long-established and trusting friendships with my clients. I handle contract negotiations, receivables, prompt payments, year-end tax documents, and if requested, onboarding paperwork, and IMDb & website updates. I have decades of experience working in film, technology, business, finance, web design, and accounting. I am ambitious, honest, fair, optimistic, motivated, intuitive, articulate, and a great listener.

The goal of Ranger Dakota Productions, a California C-Corp, is a fair priced vehicle to give directors and camera, grip, and electric crew representation, and a pass-through corporation to work through. You still get your union benefits and hours accrued, and I get the satisfaction of enabling people to work and enjoy their craft.

Owned, created, and managed by Debbie Lewis - Northern California