It should be noted that you are applying for a Manager, not an agent. They are very different.
 

The most significant difference between a talent agent and a talent manager has to do with their area of emphasis.

 

WHAT IS A TALENT AGENT?

A talent agent is a licensed expert who helps actors, writers, directors, and musicians find and negotiate work. They're regulated by the government and are required to work for a talent agency “or corporation who engages in the occupation of procuring, offering, promising, or attempting to procure employment for an artist or artists”.

Because an agent is focused primarily on securing employment for an actor, while earning a commission for themselves, they are less likely to be patient when an actor is not working. If, after sending an actor on a sufficient amount of auditions the actor does not book any roles, an agent might elect to drop an actor from their rosters.

One of the biggest differences between agents and managers is the size of their rosters. Because they are primarily focused on an actor’s employment, a talent agent might have a roster that features hundreds of clients. More clients mean more potential working actors and, therefore, more commissions for the agent.

Generally speaking, a talent agent focuses on employment. Their primary job is to submit you for available acting jobs, help you secure work in the entertainment business and negotiate contracts.

Though an agent might help an actor find the tools they need to succeed, such as acting classes and headshot photographers, for the most part, agents normally take a more hands-off approach to an actor’s overall career, outside of finding an actor lucrative employment.

Agents work on commission, meaning they should NEVER charge you a fee to sign with them (if they ask for payment, run the other way because it's a scam).

Here are some benefits of having a great agent:

Submissions to auditions normally unavailable to unrepresented actors. Since they're licensed, they can access casting sites, where they get access to see audition opportunities for theatre, television and film jobs.

Negotiation of contracts for jobs. Since they're experts on negotiation and finding work for actors, they'll do a great job of ensuring you get paid what you're worth and are treated well on set.

They have relationships with casting directors and can submit you consistently for high-level productions (including those that don't post their breakdowns publicly) using your headshot, resume, and reel.

Using their relationships to improve your chances of booking a role. By vouching for you and meeting personally with casting directors and producers, they can improve your shot of landing the role.

Ensuring the jobs you book are legal and done properly within union rules. This means the sets you work on will follow certain regulations so you're protected and not overworked or put in dangerous conditions.

Agents usually have a roster of at least 50-100 clients (though some have more), meaning they don't typically devote too much individualized time and attention to helping you grow your career.

Additionally, they are not legally allowed to produce content for actors. This means that no agent can offer to take your headshots or help build your demo reel. If they do, they're either not actually a licensed agent or they're breaking the law – either of which means you should NOT sign with them.

 

​WHAT IS A TALENT MANAGER?

A talent manager is a typically much more hands-on when it comes to growing an actor's career. Unlike an agent who primarily submits you for work and negotiates contracts, a manager is more willing to get on the phone with you and help you work through challenging situations or give you advice on what to do to start booking roles you're right for.

While a talent manager is, like an agent, concerned about an actor’s employment, they take a much broader view. Their focus is on guiding an actor’s overall career trajectory.

Talent managers take a very hands-on approach to all areas of an actor’s career, and sometimes, even their personal lives. A manager is going to make sure an actor secures things like marketable headshots, a reputable talent agent or an effective demo reel. A talent manager is more concerned about where an actor’s career is going to be in a few years; whereas a talent agent is more interested in where an actor’s career is right now.

A talent manager, however, will typically have a much smaller list of clients. Fewer clients allow a talent manager to take a more active, hands-on approach to each actor’s overall career.

A manager can typically have a small roster of clients – typically high-level managers have just one and lower-level managers have 20-30.

 

Talent managers, conversely, are not allowed to carry out the functions of an agent, such as submitting actors for roles. At least, that’s how it’s supposed to work.

In reality, there’s usually some overlap. Even though a manager may be unlicensed, many still bend the rules and submit their clients for roles. They still read breakdowns and influence the nature of their actors’ employment.

A manager is usually much more patient in this regard. Because they are more focused on an actor’s career, a manager might take the time to question why an actor is not booking.
Is the actor signed to the right agent? Is the actor going out for the right roles? Does the actor need more training? If so, what kind of training does the actor need? Does the actor have the necessary marketing materials? These are the kinds of career development questions that a manager might seek to answer before deciding to drop a client from their rosters.
Additionally, this extra level of patience also means that talent managers are more likely than agents to take on new actors who might need more time to develop before they consistently secure work.

In short, agents tend to focus on finding you work, while a manager tends to focus on helping you develop a lasting career.

Here are some benefits of having a great talent manager:

Taking care of day-to-day aspects of an actor's career. A great manager will help with scheduling, taking calls, following up to ensure you don't miss deadlines, and even sending out headshots, resume, and reel for productions (yes, some will actually submit you for work).

Hiring and managing staff for actors. For higher level actors, managers can ensure personal assistants, publicists, agents, any other people on the actor's team are taken care of (this includes payroll, scheduling, following up, etc.). It's up to you how much you want them to do, but expect their fees to increase as you require more of their time.

Organizing public relations and media exposure. If you don't have a PR person, your manager can directly organize your appearances on TV shows, podcasts, interviews with journalists, etc.

Social media management. Some managers will take care of an actor's social media presence (or hire and direct a dedicated social media person).

Career guidance. A great talent manager can advise you on contracts, suggest specific classes to take and acting coaches to work with, connect you with headshot photographers and other service professionals, and otherwise give you personalized guidance to grow your career.

Special deals. Managers will often advise actors on where to go for headshots, reel footage, and even coaching and classes – and will often get special deals for their clients. Some managers even shoot headshots or footage directly for their clients since they are legally allowed (unlike agents).

Like agents, most managers get paid on commission, but some high-level talent managers get salary PLUS commission.
There typically is no cap on the amount a talent manager can receive. But the standard rate is normally 15%, especially in cases where the actor has no agent. Otherwise, their rate might, in some cases, be lowered to 10% to match the rate of the agent.

 

AGENT VS. MANAGER: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

So, what's the difference between an agent and a manager? Here are the most important things:

Ability to get things done: In general, managers have relationships with a wider array of people than agents do. This means a manager can potentially help you get deals on headshots, connect you with a great acting coach, or even put pressure on your agent to get you more auditions. An agent, on the other hand, solely focuses on finding and getting you paid jobs.

Personalized attention: Agents have a large roster, usually of at least 50 clients (though many have over 150). Managers typically only have 10-20 clients, and some just have one or two. This means you'll get much more personalized attention and guidance from a manager, whereas you'll find it difficult to steal more than 5-10 minutes of time on the phone with your agent.

Long term relationship: Most actors switch agents every few years, whereas many stick with their managers for at least 5-10 years (with some even going as long as 20-30 years). This means a much stronger working relationship and deeper friendship with your manager.

Commission on jobs they book: Agents can only receive commission on the jobs they get or negotiate for you. Managers typically get commission on anything you book, even if they weren't involved.

Getting dropped: Most managers are more lenient with their actors. Because they get, typically, 15% commission from everything the actor books, they're paid more frequently than agents. This means they're more willing to help you find out why you're not booking, plus what to do to improve. Agents on the other hand are more strict and likely to drop you if you're not booking at least 10-20% of the auditions they send you to.

Ease of signing: In general, it's easier to sign with a manager than an agent. Managers are more likely to take on actors who need guidance, whereas agents will only sign an actor who they think has a high potential of making money fast.

 

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DOES AN ACTOR NEED AN AGENT AND A MANAGER?

So what do you need – an agent, a manager, or both?

​Well, the decision of agent vs. manager is actually easier than you think! Read below to know who you need and why:

​If you're just starting your career and don't have many credits yet, focus on getting a manager. Your manager can help grow your career, submit you consistently, and eventually help you get an agent when you're ready.

If you've already got some experience and are ready for high-level auditions, focus on getting an agent. If you're looking for network-level film & television and union productions, an agent is much better suited to help you get them since most managers don't have access to those kinds of auditions. Note however that if you already have a manager, you should consider cutting ties with them when you secure a high-level agent to avoid paying too much in commissions.

If you're already booking consistent network-level work and have a great agent, focus on getting a high-level manager. This person can help you manage the day-to-day aspects of your career, freeing up your time to spend training and working on set. At this point money should not be an issue, so you can afford to have a great manager AND agent.