Agents vs Managers

Agents and managers both serve important roles in the acting industry, but they have different responsibilities and functions. Agents are licensed professionals who help actors find and secure work opportunities, while managers are unlicensed advisors who help actors develop and manage their careers. In this section, we will compare and contrast the roles of agents and managers in more detail, and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of having both or either of them.

Agents

Agents typically focus on helping actors find work opportunities and negotiate contracts. They can help actors find and secure work opportunities in various fields, such as film, television, theater, commercials, or voice-over. They can also help actors negotiate contracts that cover aspects such as salary, royalties, residuals, and credits. Because of their industry connections and expertise, agents can help actors secure auditions and roles that they may not have been able to find on their own. However, agents typically receive a percentage of their clients’ earnings from acting jobs, usually around 10%.

Managers

Managers generally have a broader scope of responsibilities and are more focused on guiding the overall career development of their clients. They may provide advice and support on various aspects of their careers, such as:

• Which projects to pursue
• How to plan strategically
• How to develop personally and professionally

In addition to these career-related services, managers may also help their clients with non-acting related endeavors, such as branding, marketing, and social media management. Managers typically receive a percentage of their clients’ earnings as well, but the percentage can vary and is usually higher than what agents receive.

Conclusion

To conclude, agents are primarily focused on helping their clients find and secure acting jobs and negotiate contracts, while managers take a more comprehensive approach to guiding and supporting their clients’ careers and offer advice on a range of issues beyond just finding work. Depending on your needs and goals as an actor, you may want to consider having both or either of them as part of your team.