Having been an agent at GoldStar, shooting for them, developing their site, and having a large part to do with their business processes I thought I'd throw my
in.
Agencies collecting money from producers that aren't paying them. Geez, the immorality of it. How dare they!
Collecting from talent when they move agencies? The agencies have already had an unwritten code about this for quite some time. The new agency will try to collect the money from the girl on behalf of the old agency. Nothing new here.
Prosecuting producers? Do they mean for going around the agencies or for other things? There are some producers doing some shady things out there. If the agencies can come together then that will put a stop to them. At the very least, agree not to accept any bookings from them. As far as setting up producers, can't say I agree with that. Crack down on the model, not the producer. That's between the agency and the model.
If the producer found the girl at a party and they talked about shooting and he didn't have prior knowledge she was with an agency why should there be anything against the producer? It's the model that went around the agency, not the producer. However, if the producer knows and then tries finding her on myspace to go around the agency, that's another story.
If you know a girl is with an agency that is exclusive and you need to book through that agency don't piss them off by going around them. It's that simple.
Unlicensed agencies will not be tolerated? So they are saying they won't tolerate agencies that are breaking the law. Well, the law is the law. But... you know the only REAL reason why they are doing this is to prevent the smaller agencies from competing with them. The cost and effort to get licensed is not a small one.
As far as manipulating prices. That's just business, both parties are going to try to get the best deal they can. I don't think there will be enough cohesion for either group to do any manipulating. It's the market that will determine the prices I don't think there's much either party can do to make a difference.