<p>How do you find a good agent and manager? Do you need both?</p>
<p>Managers, as I've read about them, are only for bigtime actors with complex arrangements, not for anyone new to the industry.</p>
<p>Agents -- here's what I've read but wish to know more, also:</p>
<p>If you graduate from a BFA or MFA program with a showcase production, agents will attend it. Some actors might attract several agents, others will attract none. </p>
<p>If, instead, you move right to an acting city like NYC, and you're in a modest little show, an agent might come to see it and like you, so welcome you to visit his office. Actors send off lots of postcards to agents about their shows to encourage them to drop in. You never know who's in the audience, so always perform well.</p>
<p>When you get an agent, it's still the actor's job to hustle as many roles as possible and not depend on the agent. Agents have big files of people with different characteristics (tall, short, X race, funny, tenor..etc) so if a role comes in, you're in that part of their rolodex and they might send you over to audition. </p>
<p>But if your Mom plays canasta with the mother of a good agent, that's some real hope, so don't discount connections! Actually, all connections can do is get someone to answer your phone call and look at your resume; nobody takes on a client unless the agent perceives talent and a chance to find paying work for that actor (=10% for the agent). So connections open up the door, but you have to walk through it.</p>
<p>That's all I've been able to figure out. Welcome more responses about agents...</p>
<p>Managers are also for people who aren't quite up to an agent's standards yet. Agents have a collection of actors in various categories, like red haired 20--25 year olds or Asian teens. If they get a call to submit more than they have available, they call managers and ask for a few actors in that category. Managers have standing relationships with agents. The agents call the same managers each time. The one thing that is different: an agent charges 10% of whatever you make. A manager charges AN ADDITIONAL 15% of whatever you make. That's 25% altogether. Many people think that managers do more for their clients, but if you can get a good agent who really believes in you, I think it would be the same. After all, they don't make money unless you do. You need to get an updated copy of the Ross report, find agents who seem to be looking for your type, and send a headshot and resume to them. No phone calls.</p>
<p>Ross report?</p>
<p>Ohern, I know many professional actors who work primarily in theatre, and I can't think of one who has a manager. I've never heard the description that tanyanubin gives. :) I've also never heard of a reputable agent needing to advertise for clients.</p>
<p>Many kids are able to get agent representation through their senior showcase, many through performances during their college years (this happens often in NYC, probably rarely elsewhere), through personal connections, and some don't find an agent until they get their first professional gig. Getting the right agent should be more important than getting AN agent.</p>
<p>The Ross Report is a publication that comes out each month with updated listings and contact information for agents and managers. You can buy it in drama-related bookstores, if you have one near you; you can also get a subscription through the Backstage website.</p>
<p>Oh -- and regarding agents -- it's not so easy to get a good one. But there are lots of auditions you can go to on your own, and the majority of young actors who are just starting out do NOT have an agent.</p>
<p>Technically, managers help manager your career. Some young actors will have managers. Sometimes a manager with very good conections can get a client seen by agents, and casting directors. Managers may not negoitiate contracts, however... agents do this.</p>
<p>While agents are regulated (in terms of what t% they can take, how long a contract can be, etc...), I do not believe that managers are. </p>
<p>A manager is not a bad things to have, it is just important to be very careful before signing a contract with one. There are some very good articles in Backstage about managers.... if you go to backstage.com you may be able to find the back issues.</p>