Agents Vs. Managers
Which Do You Need and Why?
Representation is essential for any actor that wants to “make it big”. Talent agents and managers open doors to larger networks, high-level auditions, career resources, and industry connections that most performers just can’t access on their own. They act as a bridge between casting offices & production companies and actors.
But despite how often they are grouped together, agents and managers have very different roles. So which one do you need right now—an agent, a manager, or both?
TALENT AGENTS
An talent agent is a licensed individual who can legally solicit employment on behalf of actors. In simpler terms, they can secure auditions for you and assist with employment contracts. Their role is simple: get you in the room and get you booked.
The biggest part of that is submitting you for auditions, either through direct contact with casting offices or via online casting sites. They might offer some input around your materials, particularly when you first sign with them, to best represent you.
Talent agents tend to have larger client rosters, with less focus on personal relationships with their actors. While some actors who are working a lot may speak with their agents often, others may only check-in once or twice a year, communicating only when an audition is sent over or there is an update to their acting materials.
Once you land the job, agents will negotiate your contracts, trying to get you the best rates and terms. They’ll coordinate with the producers to make sure you have all the information you need for filming. And when you’re finished working, they’ll oversee payment to ensure you’re paid correctly and in a timely manner.
Agents work on commission, meaning they get a percentage of what you earn from acting jobs. The particular terms and conditions will vary agency to agency, but it’s standard for them receive 10% of your earnings on any performance work from their clients.
You can also have multiple agents! Many performers have separate commercial and theatrical (film, TV, & theatre) agents. Some performers will have agents for different markets, like an agent in New York and one in Los Angeles.
An agent's main goal is to get you jobs now. They help you get auditions you wouldn’t be able to access on your own and protect you throughout the employment process, from contract negotiation to payment.
MANAGERS
Unlike agents, talent managers do NOT need a legal license to operate, which means they can’t “legally” procure auditions for you or handle contracts—unless they’re working with a licensed agent (which many do to get around this). Despite this, many managers will still submit their clients for auditions and play an important role in the negotiation process of a contracts’ key terms.
So, if managers' main goal isn’t to get you auditions, what do they do?
Managers are focused on your long-term career development. They provide strategic planning & career guidance and offer personal feedback on your materials. They can share resources to help you find the right acting class or headshot photographer. Talent managers often have industry connections, either pitching you to production companies or facilitating networking opportunities to expand your reach.
Managers tend to have smaller rosters, meaning they can offer their clients more hands-on attention. While an actor can have more than one agent, actors have just one manager who oversees your entire entertainment career, across markets and performance mediums. The goal is to have a long-term relationship with your manager, who guides you as you grow in your career.
If you’re starting out and do not have an agent, or are making a switch in your rep, your manager can help you out, putting your materials together and pitching you to different agencies. Their industry connections and expertise will give you a better chance at securing an agent that’s a good fit for you.
The Big Difference
Both talent agents and managers are working toward the same goal—to get you work, usually earning around 10% commission each (managers can charge more since they are less regulated, often 15%). The major difference lies in how they support you and your acting career:
Agents focus on volume of auditions and immediate opportunities
Managers focus on long-term strategy, branding, and personalized growth
So which do you need—and when?
If you’re just starting out:
A manager may be the best first step. They’ll help you build materials, offer strategic guidance, and ensure you’re industry-ready. Plus, they can often assist in getting you the right agent down the line.
If you’re industry-ready with strong materials:
Start with an agent. Their ability to opens doors is what gets you auditions—-and the more you audition, the more likely you are to get booked. Once you’re booking consistently and expanding into bigger opportunities, you might consider adding a manager to elevate your long-term strategy and vision.
If you’re considering both:
Remember, having a talent agent AND manager means paying commission to both. Only take on an agent and manager when you have a career that can financially support it. Agent and managers can be a powerhouse team, but only when you’re ready for both.
The Final Word
Agents and managers can be incredible assets to your career, creating new opportunities you couldn’t reach on your own. However, they can only help you when you are ready for them. You need strong materials, great training, and an industry-ready mindset to truly gain momentum once representation opens those doors.
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