Having agents in two countries?

[Mintclub]

Just wondering if anybody has both an American agent AND a second agent in another country be it UK, Australian, Canadian and so forth?

What have you found to be the pros and cons? Do they split the percentage or take 10% each...?

[Mac H.]

I've spoken to a couple of Aussie writers who have a US agent and an Australian one.

The split is entirely due to practicalities - and only the one who actually gets the work gets the cut. I'm sure could theoretically be some overlaps where it could be a problem, but in reality it is mundane - one is involved with TV gigs locally and the other is trying to sell features to Hollywood.

There's no point in having an agent in Hollywood who doesn't know the first thing about the writing schedule on Home & Away, if that's your bread and butter.

Mind you - the consensus seems to be that having a local agent is pretty much useless anyway for a typical writer - they can't negotiate a good deal for local work because all the deals are pretty much locked down already ... and they don't really find you work - it is up to you. So the only role of an agent is to be the 'bad cop' who pushes them to ensure you are paid on time etc. And the Guild does that already.

I have neither, so take my 2nd hand info with a huge chunk of salt - I'm just passing on conversations I've had with people who've had the experience.

Mac