My daughter signed with a manager in CA.  He then sent us to many agents and there were some that wanted to represent her. He being her manager we let him decide who she should go with.  Before signing a contract they wanted to wait until we were acually living in CA. So we went home and began the relocation process. Just before we were about to move i became very ill. I needed my families help for the recovery process so we had to stay in AZ untill i recovered. That was back in Aug of 2007. I have since then recovered and ready to move on.  While here in AZ we found out that her manager got into a situation and was unable to represent her anymore. Getting in the door to these agents was done through her mangers help.  Her manager had the majority of contact with these different agents. Should i call these agents and ask them if  they are still interested in representing her and explain the situation and hope we can get in the door again? What should I tell them when i call? We still live in Az because we are trying to figure this all out.  There are agents here in AZ as well. Alot of them ask for you to sumit a photo first. I had heard Agents get so many pictures that they never get a chance to look at all of them.  Im just not sure of what our next step should be. Any advice is so appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Melissa Cosner

Hi Melissa,

 We also live in Arizona and are seeking representation for our children in California as well, I would absolutley call the agents you previously spoke with. Just because her former manager can not represent her anymore does not mean the agent's are not still interested. We know it can be a little intimidating, but you should really give it a shot. We are new to this as well and I would get a second opinion about an agent that WILL NOT represent Victoria without you moving to LA first, there are plenty of talented kids that have had success without initially moving to LA. I hope this helps with your search! Good luck and let us know what happens!

Dear Melissa

Before I answer your question, I would like you to reveal the name of the manager and a little about the "situation" and I assure you that you information is safe with me. You can check out my credentials on this site or ask the CFI people directly. I am on the Advisory Board of CIF.

Thank you,

Robert Pafundi

Attorney/Talent Manager 

 Melissa,

If you are uncomfortable giving out any names in the member forum, you can click on Rob's link just above his photo and leave him a private message in his mailbox.

 Thanks Rob for offereing your counsel!

All the best,

Toni Casala 

Dear Melissa,

Because you had a big response and several agencies said yes, they will say yes again. Maybe not to a person, but a broad level interest from the agenting community will still be there.

What I would encourage you to do is get a new manager and if that seems hard to do, then directly email and mail the agencies you remember, plus six or seven more.

I would not expect that the agents will remember her name, but some may remember her photo from the first round, but they might remember her completely once she's back in the door. Get on the phone and charm them..."Hi, your agency was originally interested in my daughter last year and briefly cover the illness (I had a family emergency) and that all is well now." Stress the all is well part of the converstaion. 
Who know what transpired between the agency that wanted you and the manager--they may have hurt feelings or resentments that they wanted your daughter and your daughter through her manager stood them up...but that's the worst that could happen.

And the chances are that is a 5% chance that that's what happened. More likely is that they know life happened, and they'll just meet her again.

You should:

Gather the email and address of the parties you met. Send it to a specific person at the agency.

Email them, ONE AT A TIME, and BY NAME. If the agent is one of many, they'll let the other answer and no one will respond. If the agent has been bcc'd...the spam filter may edit out the email. Have your one sentence explanation with pic/resume. Emphasize how much better now she is than last year because of some work or development.

Make sure the photo is visible in the email AND attached as a jpeg. You wouldn't believe how many blank boxes with an X in them we receive because of different computers compatibility. No "easy share photo galleries." If they are just able to spend a second reading your email you want to make sure they see the photo and aren't redirected to a site to view it. 

At the same time, mail the photo/resume in a primary colored envelope to a specific agent at the agency. 

Follow with a call in three days--"Hi, we met last year, I just emailed you and there's a bright purple envelope with the pic/resume, please call me."

Don't worry, it will all work out!

Sincerely,
Carol Lynn Sher

Thank you Carol Lynn Sher for your advice. I really appreciate it.

Melissa Cosner

Thank you for your time Robert Pafundi.  I have sent you a  message with the name you requested. 

Melissa Cosner

Thanks for your response. It helps to hear from other parents. Good luck to you and please keep us updated on your daughter. She is beautiful.

Melissa Cosner

Carl, thanks for the message. We are still working on representation. We do get good advice from everyone on children in film. I enjoyed your story about your kids. I think their success is wonderful!  Best Wishes to you and your family for the future. If you have any advice for us it would be appreciated.

Thanks

Melissa Cosner

Thanks to all the great advice we have been given by all of you on this site. I have another question. Does anyone know much about the S.I.M. agency in AZ?

Thanks Melissa Cosner

 Hi Melissa,

 S.I.M. is a member of Children In Film and is also a SAG recognized agency.  I have not had any personal experience with them, but I can tell you they are legitimate.

 Good Luck!

 Toni Casala