Feel free to leave a question or comment for Mark Pirro. He usually responds within 24 hours. Click here if you want to return to the Pirromount homepage 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 39 >>> Viewing messages 1 to 10. Your name (required) Your message (required) Where in the world? Brian Mr. Pirro, I have a question about talent agents. I signed with a boutique agency for hosting in november. They get me out occasionally (1-2 times a month) and are good people. However, I got a call from a good friend who works in production as a development producer. He invited me to audition for a cable hosting job. I went and it went well. I do not know if I have the job but in the event I book it, do I still owe my agent 20% even if they did absolutely nothing? I asked my agent this question as a hypothetical and of course they said "yes". It doesnt seem fair to me to have to pay a commission. I have a family and every penny is extremely valuable. I am all for paying commissions if they get me the audition, but not if I did it myself. Is there any way around this situation? --------------------------------- MP: First of all, an agent should only receive 10%, not 20%. However, if that's the arrangement you made, then they are still entitled to the fee whether they get the job for you or not. That's just the price of doing business with representation. Even if you get the job yourself (which probably would happen more than not), the agent is still there to negotiate the deal and, in essence, watch your back. So I'm sorry to say that the right thing to do would be give the agent his percentage. Anyway, I'd look into that 20% thing though if I were you. 5 January 2012 - LA chris cox glad to know bufords beach bunnies is still avaliable for purchase. given a little more time i will be able to buy it. ------------------------------------- MP: Make sure you get the 101 minute director's cut, unavailable anywhere but through special order by us. Any other version out there is 90 minutes and poorly cut. 31 December 2011 - chriscox10@live.com Zombie Paul Hello Mark: Cool Movie list. I just got hold of Nudist Colony of the Dead and will see it this weekend. My friend recommended it and he heard about it on Rue Morgue. Anyway, it looks like your early films went through distributors. I just completed my first film recently and I believe having a good distributor would be better than going it alone (i.e. create space-amazon). Do you agree? If so, are there any out there that you might recommend? OK Thank you. ----------------------------------- MP: A few years ago I would have said that the only way to get a film into the marketplace is through a distributor. However, today we have ways of promoting and distributing films ourselves. I distributed by last three films myself, utilizing the power of the Internet. My earlier movies had various distributors behind them, but it was a different time then. Also, every distributor I've ever been with would hold back money due me. In some cases, I even had to hire lawyers to chase them down for payment. I'd suggest putting trailers up on video sites like Youtube, put up featurettes on the making of, behind the scenes, etc. Have a website promoting and selling the movie. Try to build an audience. That's not much more than what an actual distributor would do. I sell my movies quite well through our own website, and you can too. 17 December 2011 - 32.86N 116.94W James (aka great white north fan) HEY MARK :D thanks to you youtube is gonna pay me for the videos i make :) so id like to thank you for being an inspiration. oh and my question. what was the budget on the god complex? ------------------------------------ MP: Congratulations. Happy I could have been of service. The God Complex was shot for under $1000 (but don't tell anybody). 29 November 2011 - Toronto Ontario Tim B Hi Mark! Ok, so I know you have received about a million questions similar to mine, but really...mines a little different! :) I live in NYC, and have found alot of productions here are AFTRA. I'm still very new to the business, so in trying not to restrict myself, I have not joined yet. Lately however, I have been toying with the idea of going Aftra Fi-Core, so as to hopefully open up a few more doors and help me get more work, as well as emjoy the increase of pay while doing extra work on the side. What is your take on this move? Would you suggest this as a good move for my future, or still suggest living in the non union world? Im very torn here! -------------------------------------- MP: Nothing to be torn over. Going financial core is probably the best decision an actor can make regarding his career. Unions had their place in the 40's when studios literally 'owned' their actors. In today's world, that's no longer the case, and unions have become more of a liability to a performer, restricting projects they can an cannot take. Going Fi-core allows you to work in anything, union or not. It's really a no brainer. 25 November 2011 - New York, NY Patrick Hunter Say I hear you think nudity cheapens a movie, and yet you made a movie with Adam and Eve and you made a movie called Nudist Colony of the Dead. So I guess you're kinda inconsistent, aren't you? --------------------------------------- MP: Inconsistent? I don't think so. My movies ARE cheap. But since you're being the stickler for details, there was no nudity in The God Complex, and very little actual nudity in Nudist Colony of the Dead. Now go back to your Internet porn sites. 17 November 2011 - Panorama City, California Bengt Wahlstrom Hello. A question about Creepy Puppet Theatre #3. Is the nice drumsolo at the beginning from Kathy Lindens record or had you added it? On my record Felsted 8554 there is no drums at the start. I'm a Kathy Linden fan, have all her records. --------------------------------------- MP: The drum solo was added. Her song starts with the horns. 29 August 2011 - From Sweden Natali I am SAG and considering going core. A couple of questions though... Alot of the background work I do, they ask to see your SAG card... so if I have to send it back to SAG is that going to be an issue? Also, is it true it's a permanate thing? Or do you pay the full dues once you want to join again? It does give me comfort knowing that there are successful actors that are fi core. Thank you for your feedback! -------------------------------------- MP: When you book a job and tell them that you're fi core, they won't ask you for your SAG card. If you ever decide to rejoin SAG after going fi core, they'll most likely assess you with fines/penalties, but if you're willing to pay, it's my guess they'll gladly take you back. 19 July 2011 - NYC Paul Hi Mark, just wanted to say kudos for all the responses to budding filmmakers, I'm not one myself but "Deathrow Gameshow" put me on the road to Cultsville at the age of 13! It's good to see people mix with their audience rather than scoff at them! --------------------------------------- MP: Hey, I live for my audience. If I didn't know that there were people like you out there who appreciate what I do, I wouldn't do it. 19 June 2011 - UK Mike Mark, Do you know or recommend any insurance companies for micro-budget movies? Thanks! Mike --------------------------------------- MP: Sorry, I don't. Never use the stuff. However I have a colleague named Hank who does. You can contact him and tell him I referred you. email: hankgrover@gmail.com 3 June 2011 - Los Angeles 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 39 >>>