Sorry this is a random question that I've been wanting to ask, but didn't know who to ask.

How often do directors who are signed at production companies get dropped and what are the main reasons for this? Do directors more often leave on their own for new companies or do the companies just say see ya later?

One director who comes to mind is Vem, who used to be signed at DNA but is now at The Artist's Company. Did he leave on his own or was he dropped?

more often than not a director will leave a company than "get dropped." the cost of keeping a director on a roster has come down a lot since the advent of the internet and online reels. however, i dont know the specifics of vem's situation so i cant comment on that.

usually directors leave b/c they consider they are not getting enough work. Or not the kind of work they want to be doing. But i heard Chris Mills "got dropped" by Spy Films recently. Not sure why - he had just done a big HP spot.

Would anyone comment on whether or not it's beneficial to leave for another company if a dir feels like their not booking work with their current company? More to do with the company, rep or dir? I always wonder if changing company or reps can expose you to a new set of commisioners and labels or whether the mv industry is so small it doesn't matter.

inatree: i think it's more of the latter nowadays. sure changing companies can open you up to a couple new labels/commissioners, but they can also close some doors behind you. there are always examples of directors going to different rosters and booming or busting, but i think it has far more to do with the director themselves than the company. usually directors feel like they are never getting enough work and oftentimes blame the company rather than the fact that there is just not much work to get anymore. just ask any independent rep...they need to continually expand their roster just to make a living, but at the same time have to deal with more directors blaming them for the lack of work out there. it's a rather canibalistic cycle.

besides, with so many companies folding in the past year or two, if your company is not in the red you should keep quiet and be happy you have a home...at least for now.

I know the people at DNA. Vem just left cause he got a better longterm deal with The Artist's Company. Companies don't usually drop directors cause it doesn't cost them anything to keep them on their roster.