The Age Old Question - Agent or Manager?

N
o matter what point in your career you are at as a screenwriter, director or even producer, you should probably consider getting either an agent or a manager if you really want to be taken seriously and get things done. Although neither is necessary to succeed in Hollywood, at a certain point in your career, they can definitely help get you on the right track and to make those all important meetings with industry players.

 

Now, the only question is, which one do you need? An agent or a manger? Well that depends on what you want to do, but first, let's just see what each of the two really do....

 

AGENTS
Agents act as the intermediary or middlemen between the talent (which is you) and the studios and production companies. Their main role is to find you work, and negotiate the contracts between you and your new found employer. They then get a 10% cut of anything you get. Seems pretty simple huh.

MANAGERS

A manager is an industry representative who works with writers, directors and producers to develop their careers, both creatively (through consulting on story development, time-management, and prioritizing) and financially (through marketing your products). Managers perform many of the same services as do agents, but aren't' allowed to secure employment for their clients. Managers are, however allowed to produce films, whereas agents until recently were not.  Managers, in general, provide writers with an array of consulting, advising, and marketing services. Unlike agents, managers aren't bound to the 10% cut like agents are, and their percentage typically falls in the 15% range.

The Difference Between an Agent & Manager
Agents focus on selling. Managers, although we also sell, focus on developing our clients’ projects and careers; and producing their films.

NOTE: any agent or manager that is asking for any kind of money up front, for anything at all is most likely not a legitimate agent/manager and should be avoided at all costs.  mostly managers would fall into this category, but beware of sneaky, slimy agents as well.

Which type should you pursue, if any at all?
This is a complicated question and the answer can be different depending on what you have done, where you are at in your career etc.   But in general, going with a manager would be a good first step. Why? Because managers help you develop your material, they know the marketplace, they usually have connections to agents that would be interested in your material and they focus on you more.  Managers usually have less clientele as well and are more likely to focus on your material more of the time.  Generally managers are more interested in developing your talent and nurturing it into something that will be potentially very lucrative for both of you.

The other thing to consider is if you even need one at all.  Maybe you don't. I really do believe that good content, whether its a script or a film, will make its way into the right hands eventually, if you get it out there.  If you are just starting out and don't have a film or an option, or at least a few (2-3) completed screenplays under your belt, you will find it very difficult to get an agent or a manager, unless of course your content is amazing.  In the time it takes to send out query letters, call to follow up, send out material, send out more query letters and follow up some more, you could have been calling and sending those query letters to the production companies themselves, at least the smaller ones, and possibly gotten a deal that way. (and saved 15%)

The bottom line is every situation is different, and having an agent or manager isn't for everyone, and may not be attainable for everyone. Whether you can get representation or not, don't give up on your dream and get out there and push your script or film to no end, if its good, someone will notice and you'll get what you deserve. Your big break.