don't call my agent

hope I haven't jeopodised Poppy's career, having given her agent the impression that I'm a pushy stage mom! we received a very cranky reply to an email that challenged the agent to actively seek opportunities for Poppy, now that she's one (and almost walking and talking, not to mention going blonde)! her agent commented that as she is one, not twenty-one, she is in a very limited field at the moment and yet she is being promoted to clients just as all talent is promoted to clients, ie appropriatly, as the opportunities arise, which is stated in our contract (which she offered to re-send). she also noted that "being rude to your agent is not a good way to get your child work." Poppy's daddy said, "I told you so" (about the agent's fees and the direct correlation to getting work, not the outcome of the recent correspondance), however; he is presently drafting a polite response rather than ringing and demanding value for his money.

the thing is, of course I didn't intend to offend her at all. I thought agents had thicker skins, actually (and incidentally, many people tell me I would make a good agent. but it's a barely burgeoning industry on the coast, which-sadly-fluctuates along with the local film industry. a number of newly established talent agencies have died their quiet deaths in the last 10 years here, without anybody paying too much attention. well, until their child's mgt fees suddenly contribute to debt recovery or the sale of the place and they read about it in the scdaily).

anyway, I merely questioned the decision to omit more recent pics of Poppy, instead keeping shots from january on her profile page. I guess they have worked by the same theory that Simon Gallaher (and many others) go by; that is to keep their best head shot, even if it's from 10 years ago! we think she has changed so much since six months but perhaps it's not obvious to others. or perhaps the pushy stage moms in sydney are getting all the calls after all. I have suggested this to the agent in a previous email and she assured me that this is not the case. I offered to call every week! of course I watch far too much cable (reality shows). too much next top model and janice dickonson. that's it, of course. she made a slur about amateur theatre too. true, of course; it's very different. and we are not worthy. and should crawl back into our little box here, which is known to all outside of it as the culture-starved-centre-of-the-dole-driven-surfer-sunshine coast. I'm telling you, some of us (in amateur theatre circles) are determined to change that view! all I can say is, on all accounts, we shall see! to Sammy and critics, wait and see! to Poppy, you go girlfriend and be all you can be, regardless! when you're accepting your oscar, you can remind the academy and then later, Barbra Walters, "and I had a late start, you know. I didn't work until I turned one!"