Expert: Phil Nemy - 1/23/2008

Question
QUESTION: hi - my daughter has been dancing 7 yrs, in acting classes 2 years, and through that class got a lead role in the lion, witch & wardrobe with our local playhouse.  she went to an audition yesterday & was called back but we didnt go back because it was for john robert powers school, and we dont need that.  she just wants to get going.  what do i do now?  get her an agent?  'shop' her around to different agencies?  she is ready to work acting, modeling.  what is our next step? ... thanks ... jen (mom)

ANSWER: Jennifer,

Thanks for writing. Your instincts are correct. Since she has the training and the experience, you now need to get her representation. So, yes, shop her headshot and resume around to agencies and request a general interview.

Remember, however, that an agent doesn't find their client work. The client finds the client work. Once the client has been offered a job, the agent steps in and negotiates the best possible working conditions and fee for the client's acting services. So just because you get an agent, don't think your daughter will get more auditions necessarily. On the contrary, you'll still need to hustle and look for work for her. Once she has a number of plum roles under her belt, casting directors will start coming to her. In the meantime, you have to hustle and get to them.

If you cannot get an agent, try obtaining a talent manager, but know that a manager can take more of your daughter's pay than an agent can. Agents by law can only take 10%, but managers can take as much as you're willing to give them.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i hope you get a huge pat on the back.  please, can you explain the difference between a manager & an agent?  i thought that if i shopped her around (wont offend her, dont worry, we've used the term & she understands)and an agent found her & was interested that he would call me & sign her if interested.  then, if she got a job, they would get a percentage of that pay from that job.  am i wrong?

Answer
Jennifer,

You're not wrong, but then again, you're not completely right either. Yes, it is not unusual for an agent to "try out" an actor to see if they are actually going to generate any work. If they are interested, but not yet certain about signing the actor, they will "hip-pocket" the actor, meaning that if the actor gets an offer, the actor can call the agent (who is in his/her hip-pocket) and ask the agent to broker the terms. Usually, after such an experience, the agent will then want the actor to sign an exclusive representation agreement with the agent. The terms spell out that the agent will get 10% of any income derived from acting work that the actor obtains regardless of whether or not the agent obtains the work for the actor or even negotiates the terms for the actor. The actor can get out of the agreement only by notifying the agent in writing 30 days in advance of the termination of the agreement. Most agreements have a one-year limit and are renewable after that for one year terms. When signing with an agent, my recommendation would be to give the agent at least a year to see what he/she can do for you before deciding whether or not to seek other representation. As I said before, agents negotiate the best possible terms for the actor for which they take 10%.

Managers, by law, are not allowed to negotiate the terms of an actor's services and compensation, but often it doesn't stop them from doing it. Managers usually take 15-25% but truly, it is completely negotiable. I've known some managers to take more. Managers function essentially as "career shapers." The good ones have relationships with studio and network executives, producers, directors and casting directors. Unlike Agents, Managers can negotiate themselves into the actor's agreement, often taking some form of "producer" credit and a salary for their "services" which is paid IN ADDITION to the percentage they take from the actor's income. Managers guide and influence an actor's career. They will often read scripts and determine whether or not they feel the project is in the best interest of their client. It is not uncommon for them to read a script and pass on it on behalf of the actor. If an offer and a script are made to an agent, by law the agent is obligated to take the offer and script to the actor, but again, that doesn't stop agents from passing on projects for an actor. It's often tough for someone to prove that an agent hasn't met his legal responsibility, so many get away with it.

Managers often "discover" talent and shape, manage and nurture their career. Jonathan Krane was a well-known manager who "discovered" John Travolta and helped him to become the major star that he is today. Even when Travolta's career was in the toilet, Krane stuck by him and encouraged him to do PULP FICTION which resurected his career. After working together for over 20 some years, they parted company about 6 or 7 years ago.

Hope this explanation helps you better understand the differences between agents and managers.

Phil