Talent Agents and Managers: The Basics

Agents and managers typically play an essential part in the careers of actors, models, singers and dancers. While the two play different roles the functions of their jobs are related, which makes it necessary for them to work together. Most professional actors will sign on with both a manager and an agent.

The experience of meeting with agents and managers can be intimidating at times. However, it is important to keep in mind that you are the chief decision maker when it comes to your career. Even if someone wants to take you on as a client you are not required to sign with them. Before you agree to any arrangements you need to make sure that you are going to be working with someone that is aligned with your goals.

Contracts and Commission Structures

Commission structures will vary between agents and managers. While agents only earn a commission on jobs they were directly responsible for helping you book, a manager that you are signed with will take a 10 to 25 percent commission on every job that you complete.

The type of agent you are working with will also influence the percentage of commission owed to them. For example, film and television agents charge talent between 10 and 20 percent. Whereas a literary agent takes between 10 and 15 percent, while the average commission for music agents is 20 percent.

Therefore, if you have a manager, a print agent and a theatrical agent, their cut will be dependent on the jobs you book. So if your theatrical agent books you on television show you will end up paying approximately 10 percent of your pay to your theatrical agent and 15 percent to your manager. As the print agent was not involved in this job it will not be necessary to pay any commission to them.

Standardized Commissions

AFTRA and SAG union regulations support the consistency of agent’s commissions. Managers can charge any percentage that they choose but a reasonable rate will range between 10 to 25 percent. Their rate will be affected by the market in the area and the industry standard for their specific niche in the business. You can look up the standard fee to determine if the commission percentage that a manager requests is fair. An amount that is greater than 25 percent is most likely excessive and unreasonable.

No matter what the requested rate is, you should not sign a contract until you have an attorney look over it to make sure that everything in the contract is clear and agreed upon by both yourself and the agent or manager. If the talent representative pushes you to sign immediately then you should decline to do business with them. If they have a sincere interest in working with you then there is no reason they can’t wait. This is an important decision that can influence your career so don’t hesitate to ask questions and discuss the matter with people that you trust.

Contract Length and Payment Arrangements

The agreed upon length of a contract can vary greatly and can be based on the needs of the talent. The most common range for a management or agency contract is between one and three years. If a contract is designed to exceed three years then problems may arise since many things can change in that length of time. It is not recommended to sign a contract longer than this period of time.

Genuine agents and managers will never ask for money before they agree to represent you. Their pay should always be commission-based and come out of your earnings with jobs that they book for you. Although there will be starting costs associated with headshots, resumes and any necessary training, they should not result in your representative gaining a profit.

Agents and managers will oftentimes recommend specific photographers or coaches that they have experience with but you should not be required to work with these individuals. You always have the options of using another resource of your choosing.

Additional Considerations

It is never a good idea for family members to take on the role of manager. Mixing business and personal relationships can interfere with the quality of the job and the talent’s career. A relative is usually not the most qualified individual for this role and this type of arrangement will often end badly.

Managers are involved in the process of making sure that everything is running smoothly and will need to coordinate events with their talent’s agents in order to achieve this. If a problem comes up that will affect the talent then the manager should step in and resolve the issue. A large part of a manager’s job is to negotiate rates and contracts for the benefit of the talent. This can be an effective system since the manager is aware of fair rates and will be more experienced than the talent at these types of negotiations.

How to Work Effectively with Your Agent

When you sign with an agent it is important to have an understanding of the nature of the industry and your role in the process. By becoming familiar with the casting process you will have a better chance of landing jobs. It is also necessary to be aware of the expectations that your talent agent or manager will have of you. This article will provide an overview of the casting process and how to fulfill your end of the business relationship with your agent or manager.

Understanding the Casting Process

Before an actor can be cast in a role there is a whole series of events that must take place. Once you are aware of the complete process you will gain a better understanding of the roles involved and the larger picture. This will allow you to fully comprehend your part in the sequence and give you an uninhibited view of the most advantageous path.

The first segment of the casting process begins when a producer hires a casting director to locate the best actors for their project. After the casting director has been hired, they will send a message to talent representatives (managers and agents), which includes a summary of what type of person they are looking for. The job of the talent representative is to only submit actors they believe will fit the part for consideration.

The casting director will usually have a limited period of time to sort through hundreds and maybe even thousands of actor headshots once they receive them. This is why the quality of your headshot is so vital. After they have selected a list of candidates they need to meet with as many of them as possible in order to find the most ideal match. The actors that the casting director thinks will be the best match are then presented to their producer or director who will make the final decision.

Expectations for Talent

Having knowledge of the casting process gives you an idea of how challenging it can be to simply get an audition. Actors that are represented by an agent or manager have an edge over the competition because it gives them the connections of a professional in the industry. This is why it’s important to maintain your relationship with you agent or manager. There are several reasonable expectations that a talent representative will have for their talent.

• To be Available: You should not audition or sign with an agent until you are ready to work and willing to make the necessary accommodations.
• To be Accessible: If your agent or manager tries to contact you it should not take more than 20 minutes for you to get back to them. If you change phone numbers or addresses it is important to notify anyone representing you.
• To Keep in Touch: If you only call your agent late in the day they will already be done with their submissions to directors. Call them early on when it is necessary and only do so during regular business hours. Additionally, if you have upcoming circumstances that will keep you from being able to audition or work you should let them know beforehand.
• Supplying Headshots and Resumes: Making sure that your agent has an adequate supply of your headshots and resumes is your responsibility. Check in at regular intervals to see if they have enough in stock.
• To be Engaged and Active: Successful actors are always practicing and building their skills. This can involve performing in showcases and stage plays, or attending workshops and classes, etc. Many agents want their clients to create a listing of themselves on the Academy Players Directory or on IMDB.com.
• To Pay Commissions: This aspect of your relationship will be outlined in the terms of your contract.

You may also be expected to join trade unions as necessary (You should not join any union without consulting with your Agent or Manager first). Some of these trade unions may include:

• AEA (Actors Equity Association)
• SAG (Screen Actors Guild)
• AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists)

Relationships are an important aspect of working in any field. In the entertainment industry, the relationship that a performer has with their agent or manager is one of the key elements tied to their ability to succeed.