Hello everyone, I'm new to the world of showbiz and this site. I've been with the same acting coach for 2 years and her family has been in the business forever. Her brother is Mark Gruner who was in Jaws 2 ( yea i know big whoop but it's something..) she signed on as my manager but hasn't really done squat for me. At first she was sending my resume and head shots out to agencies but now she's like 'submit yourself on LACasting.com. I feel like this is BS since I feel she should be looking for roles/agents for me. So I was wondering what are the duties of a manager? I don't feel like giving her a cut of whatever I make since she's not living up to her end of the contract..

The duties of a manager is basically to take a hands on approach to an actor's career. A good manager usually get involved in all aspects of their client's life- professional and personal. They are there to help you chose the right head shots, acting classes, and provide the proper marketing if necessary. Also assist you in finding the right agent. But in the same breath don't just sit back and rely on your manager to get you all the work, get off your ass (literally speaking) and hustle. Find projects that you want to work on, and bring it to her attention if there's a deal that needs to be negotiated. How long have you been signed to her?

we signed on for 3 years..it's been one year so far..and like I said..other than the few weeks of her sending out my head shots I've been the one doing everything. Every time I have an idea she's like 'oh okay well write a letter to them, send in your stuff..yada yada.."

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny Drama:
I was wondering what are the duties of a manager?

Den mother, best friend, head bottle washer, Mother Confessor, quasi-agent, professional hand holder, business manager, personal aide, dresser, talented go-between, complimentary psychiatrist, and highly-motivated, experienced handler of your entire acting career.

Doesn't sound like yours is any of these.

“Whatever works.”

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Wow, I LOVE your description of a manager!

I've always had issues with people who have hazy job descriptions. To me, managers fall into that category.

We have 120 clients at my agency and I'd say that about half of them have managers. I would also say that a small percentage of those managers actually contribute a great deal and earn their commission. As for the others? I have no idea what they do. There's one guy in particular who hasn't spoken to me in three months! For all I know, he could be dead.

I guess it's like everything - there are good managers and there are bad managers. The trick is in telling the difference.

Managers can be helpful at two points in your career:

1) When you're just starting out and you're in desperate need of guidance. Agents won't talk to you, you can't find the right class, everyone hates your headshots - this is the time when a good manager can help you get it together. And then when the time is right, that manager should be able to introduce you to agents.

2) The other time is when you actually have something to manage. Consider the character of Vince on "Entourage". Scripts are coming in, offers need to be considered, pr has to be over seen - that's when an experienced manager can make a huge difference.

Here's my advice and I want all of you to let me know if this helps. When you're thinking of signing with a manager, you MUST get answers to the following questions:

1) What is the manager's background? In other words, how is that manager qualified to manage your career.

2) How many clients does he have and who are they?

3) Which agencies does he do business with. That's a big one, folks. Very important to know.

And finally, don't sign a management contract without having someone check it out. My friend Tony Martinez wrote a book called AN AGENT TELLS ALL that has an entire chapter on this stuff. You should definitely check it out.

Makes sense SAM

Thanks Secret Agent Man and everyone else who responded. I figured my manager was shady, even though I signed a contract she has not lived up to ANY part of it so if I were to make money I wouldn't have to pay her. I've been looking for that book at my local libraries but had no luck. Also something REALLY messed up, my manager has an aunt that takes care of financial stuff every now and then and she's supposedly a manager of mine too and the both of them are getting 20% of whatever I make but she doesn't do SQUAT...literally...I am so dropping these women..