Secret agent man and all the others, thanks for all the infos you "give away" they are always very helpful..

A while ago I was looking for Agencies/representation and I found a couple of interesting lists stating who is who in the biz and the overall quality of the agencies from the Top 5 to the "new up and coming". Needless to say, it was very very helpful because it narrowed down my searches and get me focused where I needed to be.. End of the story I got the meetings/interviews I wanted with the agencies I wanted..

Now I'm wondering is there a list also for Manager!?

Does anybody have an idea who the Top and Middle level Managers are in LA?

Any info is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance to all the people who will take the time to answer..

Mr Torkov

There is NO list for managers because it's way too difficult to determine it. Pretty much anyone can be a manager. Your best friend's mom could be your manager or you dad can be one and take 15% from you.

Managers are so under regulated that it's difficult to tell whether or not they're legit like it is with an agent.

Here's my ideal belief in choosing a manager (I know such managers DO exist somewhere out there):
-NO more than 25 clients
-Doesn't make me pay anything upfront
-Doesn't take more than 15%
-Has to have some clout with some of the major Agents and Casting Directors and with a simple phone call, can set up a meeting.

These may sound ideal, but these are the kind of things GOOD managers should be doing.

I agree with TruthTeller.

Managers are so unregulated. When I first got to town, I signed with a manager. I had met him at a showcase so I figured he had to be legitimate, right?

He was just out-of-this world crazy. He would call me in the middle of the night, told me to break up with my girlfriend, would tell me to pick him up at a certain location (because he didn't drive... IN LA) and not show up. Thank God I broke my contract and left him after a couple months.

Just watch it and don't let them take more than 15% (I think 10% is the norm now...though I'm not sure on that).

Lance
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quote:

Originally posted by Mr Torcov:

Now I'm wondering is there a list also for Manager!?

There are many "unofficial" managers, but in order for a manager to get breakdowns from Breakdown Services, they have to be a member of the Talent Managers Association. There is indeed a list of its members.

Check out their website:
Talent Managers Association

Look at the "List of Members". I suspect it's not complete, and it doesn't include the designation regarding "Top and Middle level" that you are asking about, but it's a good place to start. It is a list. You could Google those names and see what you find about their companies. If you really want to know who the top managers are, (really?), you could look up the names of top-notch actors on imdbPro - if the actor has a manager, it will often list their name under the actor's contact info. BUT, you want the truth? Realistically, you can be pretty certain that none of those top managers would be interested in representing a person who describes himself as "an actor to be", as I see you did in one of your posts last month.

You don't need a manager until you have a career to manage. That's my feeling. Still, the agent/manager area has gotten muddy in the last 7 years. Many actors have managers who act in the capacity of agents. I realize you're not in N.Y., but I had a very successful working relationship with a manager in N.Y. where many actors free-lance with different agencies. My management was great at getting on the phone to their numerous agent contacts and seeing which one could get me an audition for a specific project. In L.A., it doesn't work that way. My managers were also very helpful by giving personal attention and advice.

I now have a terrific manager in L.A., but I've been at this for longer than you have. (Mine takes 10% commission.)

Keep doing research. Have a look at that Talent Managers Association website. Keep asking questions.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Thanks to everybody..

Broadway2Hollywood Quote: "BUT, you want the truth? Realistically, you can be pretty certain that none of those top managers would be interested in representing a person who describes himself as "an actor to be", as I see you did in one of your posts last month."

I always want the truth and I agree with you..

I AM AN ACTOR. always been of course my technique needs to be improved that it what I was implying with (actor to be) lets just say "lost in translation".

I'm going to start digging in the Talent Managers Association list right away THANKS.

Mr Torkov