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CYBEL MARTIN
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July 27 2007
Cybel & Time for an Agent
I pride myself on being business savvy and continuing to get better: on negotiating my rate, getting percentage of profits, skillfully navigating the industry parties and getting my reel to more and more people. I love reading Fortune Magazine and the Wall Street Journal, I am certainly not one of those artists who shrinks from business practices and paperwork.
However, this summer and my recent film job experiences has drilled it into my brain in a very LOUD way that I must have a new agent asap. Like yesterday. The last time I had an agent was 2003. I don't mind talking business but I am now clear that I need someone specifically to network on my behalf while I am shooting, steer me away from idiot producers and be even tougher re: my rate etc. Did I mention it's time for an agent?
I have had 3 agents so far. My first was just before I left film school. I tell myself that 3 agents means that 3 different people looked at me and saw money. That is somewhat encouraging. I've gotten each agent in a different way and I am clueless as to how to get my next.
Something will show up but its been on my mind alot lately. And I wonder if being with 3 agents is a sign that I did not do enough or that they had no clue how to market me. Lots of questions. I loved when Jamie Foxx thanked his agents (managers?) at the Oscars for being with all of these years. That is what I am looking for. That sense of commitment and long term planning for my career. I actually know exactly who I want to rep me. I keep their website, specially the page that lists their clients, up on my computer 24/7 to remind me of the caliber of work I expect from myself. The company I'd like to keep.
And on a fun note: I have my DP reel listed on Reel Exchange.com. They are affiliated with Millimeter magazine and are a very user friendly way to have people view my reel. They send out weekly emails about their clients and film industry news.
So anyway, some point last month as I was contemplating how to get my reel infront of many many more people/working filmmakers eventho' I did not have an agent. And much to my joy & surprise, I got an email from Reel Exchange that my reel was one of the "hottest reels" for that week. What that meant was my name was immediately blasted and promoted around the world. (Did I mention I am a very lucky person?) I could not have orchestrated that many introductions if I wanted to. That same day I got an email from a pretty well known company in Austria requesting my reel. I was shocked...am happy.
This past week I sent Reel Exchange a note of thanks. (My mom raised me right.)
Cybel Martin
917-856-4137
Director of photography
http://www.MagicEyeFilm.com
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