Expert: Phil Nemy - 3/11/2008

Question
QUESTION: Phil-

My girlfriend got a spot in a new TV show, she has asked me to be her manager for various reasons. I am looking for advice on my role and the best way to perform it, I'll be honest I know plenty about Business and general Management/marketing/Accounting and so forth, but I know Showbusiness Managment is a different world. Of course, she wants me to move to LA with her and perform my duties as manager but I don't even know what those duties are and if me leaving my current job and general life is worth perusing something I have a 90% chance failing in due to my lack of knowledge and so forth. Any advice for me Phil?

ANSWER: Armin,

Thanks for writing. Managing talent is an ambiguous business. There really is no job description for a talent manager as each person handles what they do differently. I think your best bet is to ask your girlfriend what she expects of you. How does she wish you to function in her career? As an advisor, negotiator, reader, creative executive, business development executive, accountant, etc.? Knowing this will give you a clearer picture of how to proceed.

Keep in mind that unless you have a law degree and/or a CPA license, assuming she becomes successful, she will need to employ the services of these professionals as well to help "manage" her career.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Phil

P.S. If, in fact, she DOES move to LA to pursue her career and you join her, I'd be happy to sit down with the two of you and help you determine the best course of action. You don't have to pay me unless you're comfortable with the advice/guidance I offer. If it's mutually beneficial for you both, we can discuss something short-term or long-term. Just a thought...

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

QUESTION: Thank you for the great answer Phil, I guess for right now I am all of those listed. I am trying to paint a picture/plan of the best way to go about this. saving up money for the move i guess is number one, we are both 20 years old, little college experience, I am an Insurance agent so we have little money. In a business like Show Business nothing is guaranteed. I personally don't like blurs, i feel if I have a job description I am most likely to succeed, she does not know what she wants from me, she does know that she wants me to come and that she needs me to keep her out of trouble so she does not get taken advantage of. This is what i want too but I am trying to paint a picture, I hear she has to have some kind of Union listened or be part of an actors union? What steps would you take Phil to manage or advise a new actress with no portfolio,little money, but a lead in a TV show as based on my situation? Thanks for the help I greatly appreciate it.

Answer
Armin,

Let's cut to brass tacks. You say she has a lead in a TV show. Is this a pilot or a committed series? Is it network and if so, which one, or is it cable and if so, which one? Is the show being produced union or non-union? Is it episodic, sitcom, reality, soap-opera, etc.? What I am getting at is what SPECIFICALLY has she been offered and how legitimate are the parties making the offer? Have they sent her a preliminary contract? Since she is not based in the city in which they intend to shoot the production, have they agreed to provide her round-trip airfare, accommodations, per diem, ground transportation, etc.?

You see, there are a lot of questions to ask before I can advise you specifically. Maybe the three of us should talk by telephone so I have a better idea of what you're doing. Give me a number to call you and the best time of day to call.

P.