Do You Need an Agent and a Manager?

If you're a successful movie actor, author, or any artist generating millions of dollars of income every year, chances are you employ both an agent and a manager, and in some cases more than one. If you're primarily a novelist,for example, you may have a literary agent, a Hollywood agent for film sales, and another agent to book speeches. If you're like many content creators uploading video to you tube and going to open mike poetry readings (that's what I do in my spare time) chances are you don't have an agent or manager. What does Tom Cruise know that you don't? For one thing he knows the difference between an agent and a manager. An agent's business is regulated by law, and strictly limited to getting work for their clients. In general, agents get the job and make the deal. Managers are generally not licensed by the state and therefore there can be a wide range of services that managers offer. A manager is career-oriented, responsible for shaping their client's career. They have a hand in everything from developing projects to the clothes clients wear at public appearances. If you are the CEO of your creative career, your manager is your COO or brand manager. An agent can't produce their client's movie, but a manager can. A manager can head their client's production company. All CEOs need people to help them realize their vision. Successful artists also need their team. Agents and managers can work with several clients That's because your manager and your agent only get a percentage of your earnings -- your agent will generally get 10% of your fee, and the manager 10 or 15% or more, depending on the services they offer. If you're making $1 million for your latest movie (actually, a poor salary if you're a star or a top screenwriter) your agent gets $100,000 and your manager gets $150,000 before you get a penny. Are your agent and manager worth it? If they helped get you that $1 million -- absolutely. 75% of something, especially a very lucrative something, is better than 100% of nothing. The right agent and/or manager can be a huge boost to your career, bringing your work to the attention of executives who have the resources to provide a worldwide platform and a high salary. But be careful, particularly if you're not yet a star and have been asked to sign a management contract. An unscrupulous manager is in a good position to rob you or destroy your career. That's why, before you sign any contract with an agent or manager, get it reviewed by a knowledgeable entertainment attorney. Pay them up front if you have to - although in Hollywood, some lawyers will also work for a percentage.