As a former talent manager, acting coach, and mentor to my students, the importance of good representation is always at the top of my list. There are two types of representation for actors: an agent and a manager. Some actors have only an agent, some a manager, and some both. A question I am often asked is, “How do I know if my child needs a manager?” Knowing the difference between an agent and a manager is a good place to start.
A talent agent in New York or California is licensed by the state and their job is to solicit employment for their clients. They are franchised by the union and are generally limited to taking a 10 percent commission on money earned from employment. Agents can have a small or large number of clients. They use their eye for talent and their resources to get an actor into an audition and secure a job as well as negotiating contracts. Actors are usually signed to a one-year contract and have a 90-day “out clause” if there are no auditions within that time.
A manager cultivates a career. They counsel, advise, and provide career direction and guidance. They generally have fewer clients than an agent, which enables them to give more personalized attention to their clients. Managers
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