Hey-
So,I have an interesting situation. My manager, met me at the network studios in nyc and added me on actors access that same day.6 months go by and I hear nada from him.Then, the very first commercial he sends me out on I was called back and placed on hold. Since that time, I have had 3 additional callbacks for commercials and even booked an infomercial for him. I have taken an on camera commercial class with well known casting directors in nyc,which has resulted in several callbacks and they ask me in 2 audition several times a month at least. My question is, what can I do to get this manager to send me out more? I send out emails to him sporadically and he says "ok",or rarely says anything. Last time I checked, getting a callback was a good thing. Any advice on how to rectify this situation would help me.
Thank You,
Ben

First, I want to congratulate you on making some serious progress in your commercial career. It's obvious that you're doing something right. So thumbs up on that.

Now, we need to clarify what a manager does. It is not your manager's job to send you out. That's called procuring work and a manager is technically not allowed to do it. That's my job. But the truth is that a lot of managers do "break the law" by seeking employment for their clients, especially the ones who do not have representation. That's just the way it is.

So you need to CLARIFY what you expect from your manager and your manager needs to CLARIFY what he or she is willing to do for you.

That said, you are absolutely right. This relationship is not working out. A manager is supposed to manage you - this means be available to advice you, groom you, oversee all aspects of your career, including getting you representation when you're ready. While an agent might represent over a hundred clients, good managers keep their list in the teens so they can focus on their actors.

So the big question here is - what the hell is this person doing for you??? You seem to be pulling your weight, getting callbacks and good feedback. The two of you need to figure out how your relationship is going to work. AND, I think it's essential that this manager get off his or her ass and find you a commercial agent!

You shouldn't have to ask how you can motivate your manager. A manager is supposed to be motivated to work for their clients - sometimes more than agents who can not give 100% of their attention to every single person on their list.

Sit down with this person, hash it out, and if you can't fix things, take a walk.

that's funny, I thought managers were forbidden by law from sending people out on auditions. my bad.

Secret Agent Man, you bring up a very good point.

In my experience, there are quite a few NYC managers out there who are calling themselves managers, but are acting as agents, and asking for 20% or more! All they do is submit their clients for a lot of nonunion commercials and print work, and on some rare occasions, are able to get clients in for legit work. In no way do these managers even TRY to secure agents for their clients. I've heard some of them even say, "No, we don't like working with agents..." WHAT???

I met with a manager last year who literally said to me during my interview, "20% is the standard for managers in NYC."

However, actors are willing to work with these managers due to lack of credits. It seems these managers work with a lot of new actors with lack of credits, and because the actors want legitimate credits so badly, they are willing to work with these managers. A lot of them don't have formal contracts, or freelance, with their clients, but then again, a lot of them do.

So my question is....what's an actor to do with lack of credits who has an opportunity to work with some of these "managers"? I do actually know folks who work with these guys who are able to book work and even get their SAG card from them. Very tempting to work with these managers, isn't it? What is your advice? Would you say, stay away from these folks, no matter what? Or, would you say, use these guys until you get a few legitimate credits from them, then walk away? Do they really help, or hurt, your career in the long run?

Would love your take on this, Secret Agent Man!

I think when this was discussed before, it was said that it is actually not illegal in NY State for managers to send actors on auditions.

I've had the same experience as redheadlady. i.e. Managers here in NY act more like freelance commercial agents. Don't forget also that in NY it's very common for actors to freelance with a lot of agents and managers, esp. with commercial work--both union and non-union.

Also, FYI, the commercial casting process in NY is a bit different than in LA. Here an agent or manager is given a certain amount of slots and then they send in who they want. In LA, or at least this is what I've heard, you are submitted to the CD, just like for theatrical auditions and then the CD chooses who auditions.

Let me respond to the red headed lady's question.

I'm constantly surprised by how many crooks or con artists target actors - a group of people who don't usually have a lot of money. Why is that? Wouldn't it make more sense to target rich people who have plenty of cash? The answer is no. You see, there's a big difference between a rich person and a struggling artist. And no, it's not that one is smarter than the other. Intelligence has nothing to do with it. The answer is desperation.

Desperation makes people do all kinds of dumb things. In general, rich people aren't desperate so it's a little harder to trick them. But most actors are frustrated by how difficult it is to catch a break. That creates desperation - and blindness. Pay a manager twice what he should be getting? Sure. Why not? Agree to take new pictures with the guy the manager insists on? Again, sure - why not. For actors, hope spring eternal.

My other concern is what you wrote in your last paragraph. The whole idea that if it works for someone else, it might work for you. That's called "false logic". Let me give you an analogy:

I need money and I know it's a bad idea to borrow from a guy named Vinnie who lives in the Bronx. But wait a minute. I know a guy who did just that and everything turned out fine. So what the hell, right? Well, here's the problem. There are 99 other guys out there who ended up getting their legs broken.

Sometimes, I wish I didn't have a moral center. It would be so easy to make a fortune ripping off actors.

I hope all this helps. And best of luck!

Thats alot of info. I agree that in order for my relationship to work with this manager,there needs to be some communication. He in my mind is passive aggresive. The casting director I spoke of, actually personally just called me in for an ok cable commercial today. She often gives me advice on other classes and other castings she has. In my mind, clearly this casting director likes me,after all isn't that the point? Regardless of who you have representing you, the casting director gets the final say? I feel frustated. I have gone to actors connection,i have even been reffered to agents by friends,which went nowhere. I know that if they hear that I have really legitimate callbacks and a good infomercial booking,clearly if i just get sent out on a more frequent basis it can be a viable working relationship for everyone.