Expert: Kenneth D. Plonkey - 4/22/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello,
I have a friend of mine that is interested in becoming my personal Talent Manager. She is trained highly in the theatre arts and has a degree in it. I was wondering what she must attain to become a manager. Whether its a license or a class, or something of that sort.

Thank you and I hope to hear back soon
Ryan

ANSWER: Hi Ryan.  Well, first of all do you have a career that needs management? You need someone to schedule your life for you and invest your income for you and manage your public image for you? Theatre arts education is not needed to be a talent manager, public relations is more important, as is business management, and a knowlege of the acting industry.  Actors only need managers when they have a very busy career.  Actors need talent agents which is another thing altogether and which someone does not just start doing without experience in the field, working for an agency. Dumb idea. Best wishes, Doc
ps. having a degree in theatre arts does not make one highly trained.

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

QUESTION: Thank you for your response, however, I feel you didn't answer my question... I was asking if a specific license was needed as talent agents and Casting Directors must have. But I am persueing an acting career and my friend would like to manage me, find me an agent, etc etc.
Thanks Ryan

P.S. I didn't not say she was highly trained altogether, I was pointing out she highly trained in the Theatre Arts in which was her college major.

Answer
Ryan, you do not understand what you read very well.  First of all I did anwswer your question about what a manager needed, second you did not make it very clear if all you wanted to know was did she need a license.I dont think so. Finally, I pointed out why you do not need a manager. You were the one who said she was 'highly trained'. I merely pointed out that a BA in theatre is not highly trained.
the biggest problem is that she has no inside knowledge of the acting industry. Acting is something you have to pursue on your own,  having a close personal realtionship with someone while you are trying to become an actor is detrimental to both the realationship and the acting. I told you it was a bad idea.  Now go ahead a do what you like.  You have been warned.  Doc