Updated: Apr 10, 2021
We recently had a discussion on the MAKE IT podcast about Managers and Agents and the seemingly blurry lines between the two. We didn't have all of the distinctions and differences ironed out, so we did some digging to clear things up.
To put it simply, an Agent has the well-defined and industry-regulated role of connecting talent to projects and negotiating contracts on their behalf. The role of the Manager, however, is dependent upon the needs of the client as it pertains to promoting their brand and managing their business affairs.
Here are the specifics:
Agents
Agents typically have a sizeable roster of clients.
Agents work for a talent agency. Most talent agencies are franchised through SAG-AFTRA. If a client is a member of SAG-AFTRA, they can only seek representation with SAG-AFTRA franchised agencies.
Agents work on behalf of their clients to promote and represent their interests.
Agents submit their clients to projects to procure appointments with Casting Directors.
Agents may either actively seek out clients to represent, or have entertainers and artists contact them first
Agents work on commission only, earning 10% of the client’s Union project bookings. On Non-Union projects, agents commission ranges from 15% to 20%
Agents negotiate contracts on a client's behalf.
Agents work with and are subject to the regulations of labor unions.
Managers
Managers most often have a smaller roster of clients to be able to handle each clients’ day-to-day affairs.
Managers, like Agents, may either actively seek out clients to represent or have entertainers and artists contact them first.
While some managers do collect a salary from the firm they are with, many managers work on commission only. The same can be said for Agents at bigger companies who are receiving a salary. The client pays nothing out of pocket in either scenario.
Managers typically collect 10%-15% commission on all projects.
Managers can be anyone a client trusts to manage their business.
Managers work with clients to manage the day-to-day aspects of their career, not just prospecting on individual projects.
Managers can help vet staff for a client.
Managers often manage PR and media exposure unless a PR manager is specifically hired to do so.
Managers can advise a client about a contract but cannot negotiate contracts on a client's behalf.
Managers should not advise on income and investments, but can refer clients to a business manager or CPA
When it comes down to making a selection on a Manager or an Agent, it may not be about one or the other; in fact, it's likely that you'll need both at some point in your career. The real thing to determine is what roles you need on your team to help you make contacts, build your network, find projects, negotiate contracts, and manage the day-to-day work of being a creative in a competitive industry. Once you've identified the roles, you'll need to seek out people who you can trust to manage your affairs and to keep your best interest at heart.
As always,
Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.
If you're looking for someone to help you on your creative journey, feel free to reach out to us. We'd love to work with you!
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About the MAKE IT Podcast The MAKE IT podcast is a platform for the voice of independent filmmaker. We offer a variety of educational, aspirational, and entertaining content that promotes the success of creatives across the filmmaking community and the film industry. Our Filmmaker Conversations with industry professionals are dedicated to sharing the advice, knowledge, and insights of experienced filmmakers while exploring what it truly means to be an independent creative in the highly competitive world of filmmaking. Each filmmaker conversation is backed by thoughtful research that allows us to uncover the raw, authentic truths behind each filmmaker's journey. Through our Indie Talks, we share our thoughts and perspectives on navigating independent film from the perspective of Advisory and Executive Producers. We discuss topics that are relevant to filmmakers across a wide spectrum of filmmaking perspectives, and we do our best to uncover hidden truths and new developments in the film industry. Our goal is to help filmmakers avoid the pitfalls and obstacles on the business side of film so that their filmmaking creativity can thrive. Our Industry Insights provide bite-sized actionable advice that filmmaking professionals and creatives of all kinds can use to keep their heads up as they continue their filmmaking journeys. With advice sourced from the filmmaking community, we build upon the wisdom of our filmmaking guests to provide our audience with truly aspirational and inspirational content. The Mistakes in the Making series gives our filmmaking friends an opportunity to speak directly to our filmmaking audience to share a specific lesson they've learned through a mistake they've made. We are firm believers that mistakes can be the gateway to success when we open our hearts and minds to learning from them, sharing them, and using them to Be Better. The Film Investment series is a conversational series of 52 episodes geared towards the would-be film investor. Each episode, facilitated via a friendly conversation between hosts and friends Christopher Barkley and Jason McConnell, highlights a unique aspect of the film investment process. In addition to being a great resource for film investors, it serves as a reference for filmmakers regarding the many considerations that must be made when seeking film investment.
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About the MAKE IT Podcast The MAKE IT podcast is a platform for the voice of independent filmmaker. We offer a variety of educational, aspirational, and entertaining content that promotes the success of creatives across the filmmaking community and the film industry. Our Filmmaker Conversations with industry professionals are dedicated to sharing the advice, knowledge, and insights of experienced filmmakers while exploring what it truly means to be an independent creative in the highly competitive world of filmmaking. Each filmmaker conversation is backed by thoughtful research that allows us to uncover the raw, authentic truths behind each filmmaker's journey. Through our Indie Talks, we share our thoughts and perspectives on navigating independent film from the perspective of Advisory and Executive Producers. We discuss topics that are relevant to filmmakers across a wide spectrum of filmmaking perspectives, and we do our best to uncover hidden truths and new developments in the film industry. Our goal is to help filmmakers avoid the pitfalls and obstacles on the business side of film so that their filmmaking creativity can thrive. Our Industry Insights provide bite-sized actionable advice that filmmaking professionals and creatives of all kinds can use to keep their heads up as they continue their filmmaking journeys. With advice sourced from the filmmaking community, we build upon the wisdom of our filmmaking guests to provide our audience with truly aspirational and inspirational content. The Mistakes in the Making series gives our filmmaking friends an opportunity to speak directly to our filmmaking audience to share a specific lesson they've learned through a mistake they've made. We are firm believers that mistakes can be the gateway to success when we open our hearts and minds to learning from them, sharing them, and using them to Be Better. The Film Investment series is a conversational series of 52 episodes geared towards the would-be film investor. Each episode, facilitated via a friendly conversation between hosts and friends Christopher Barkley and Jason McConnell, highlights a unique aspect of the film investment process. In addition to being a great resource for film investors, it serves as a reference for filmmakers regarding the many considerations that must be made when seeking film investment.