|
I hope I have answered most of your questions. These are just the basics. If I am giving you this it's because I feel your child has "something ". Our job is to bring it out of them in a positive (and well let's be honest, after all it is a business) lucrative way.
You will find along with these F A Q's a copy of our standard contract, information Child Labor.
Get them enrolled and get the headshots done and reproduced ASAP.
Of course if you have questions regarding any of the above. Do not hesitate to call. That's what we're here for!
Sincerely,
MS Talent Management
|
|
| What is a manager? |
A talent manager, also known as a personal manager, is one who guides the career of artists in the entertainment business. The responsibility of the talent manager is to oversee the day to day business affairs of an artist; to advice and counsel talent about professional matters and personal decisions which may affect their career.
The roles and responsibilities of a manager vary slightly from industry to industry, as do the commissions to which the manager is entitled. Music manager's duties differ from those who advise actors, writers, directors, etc.
The term "manager" is one of the most misunderstood terms in the field of modeling. New models, particularly on the Internet, don't understand the difference between a manager and an agent. That is easy to understand since there are many people on the Net who portray themselves as managers, when in fact; they are more closely operating in the form of an unlicensed agent.
|
| What does a manager do? |
A talent manager is the personal mentor and guide for an individual model or talent. While management regulations vary from state to state, managers are among the sources that are intended to be packaging and training resources by such states as Florida. Florida does not want these services to be provided by agents. This keeps the support services competitive. There is no "if you do these things, I will promise you a job" with a legitimate talent manager. Managers are more or less the quarterback of the team (model/talent, manager, and agents), setting a direction, telling the model/talent what they need to do to compete -- and giving them the bad news in terms of what they cannot do. Managers make a percentage of what the model or talent earns -- not for specific bookings but for their overall earnings generated in the entertainment arena. It is critical; however, that the talent managers only receive this percentage AFTER the model or talent has received payment for their work, not before.
This is an important function. Models will often have more than one agent representing them in different areas, such as commercial modeling, fashion modeling, and acting (normally theatrical or commercial). Talent will most often have a manager when they are new or are very experienced. For the new model or actor, the manager serves a very important function - to cultivate the model's career so that she can develop to the maximum. A good manager will help shape the direction a model or actor goes so as to generate the most revenue.
Career decisions are important to move a model into the niché that best fits their look and talents. Managers will help models understand contracts, compensation, billing practices, and safety. With a good manager, a model's time will be more productive because a competent manager will have experience in the market. He will know photographers, agents, art directors and clients and he can advise a model as to their references. More importantly, he will know which of these important resources might result in benefit to the model and which will be nonproductive to pursue.
A good manager understands makeup, wardrobe, posing and appearance. He/She will help a model develop the look that will be most effective in the markets she chooses to pursue.
While managers won't represent a model directly, as an agent will, they will help them network and will promote them to the industry. These activities will help a model get bookings they would otherwise not get had they been working on their own.
When a model's marketability develops sufficiently, a good manager will try to get the model signed with the best agents available in the markets they are pursuing. This promotion differs from that of an agent in the way a shotgun differs from a rifle. An agent has a particular market, such as commercial modeling. A commercial agent would submit a model for print advertising, for example, because that is their primary client base. Yet a model might also be interested in acting in feature films. A manager works with a broad sword rather than a scalpel. He promotes the model in all the areas in which she is interested, seeking representation by agents where that is possible.
|
| What is a talent agency? |
This could be a very complex answer but let's break it down to as simple as possible. In Hollywood, agents act as the intermediary or middlemen between the actors and the studios. A while back it was the studios that had great power and control over the actors. The studios would discover and groom their own actors without the need of agencies. Talent agents came into existence because actors had many financial and legal disputes with the big studios and needed someone to represent them. Today, even though the major studios are still a dominant force in the industry, talent agents are just as powerful if not more powerful than the studios because the studios must go through the talent agents in order to hire the actors.
Agents, in a nutshell, don't have the time …
|
| What is the difference between an agent and a manager? |
What I mean by that is an agent doesn't have the time to find the spark in a kid, to see the potential, to crack the shell… The kid needs to walk into an agent's office and be ready … to take charge of the interview… to "own the office".
A manager... gets the child ready for the interviews and auditions…
Besides the commission difference (15%) for a manager,
(10%) for an agent. The differences are as follows.
An agent tends to have a bigger roster of children in one specific category. For example an agent might have 10 African American 9 year old girls or a dozen Blonde haired Blue Eyed 12 year olds.
A manager will have 2 or maybe 3 of a specific type / or age because a manager wants to devote the time and energy that is involved in developing a child's career. Basically a manager guides and counsels, negotiate, protect and look out for the interests of a client on a more personal level. They will tell you:
1) Which acting teachers / voice teachers to go to
2) Headshots / photographers / Acting classes etc.
3) Parents and adult actors must understand that this is an investment. The industry is so competitive that an actor must come prepared for whatever the casting director throws their way. A quality headshot as opposed to a snapshot makes all the difference. A child that knows how to handle themselves in unfamiliar surroundings with unfamiliar people is key. A good commercial technique class or acting class makes all the difference.
It is the job of a manager to ensure the best classes / headshots for the child. It is our job to make sure the client is well prepared for whatever situation and that they know what they are doing. Ultimately if our client doesn't know what they are doing (yet) then they have no business being thrown into the arena until they ARE ready.
NEVER pay a manager to work with you. If they are asking for money upfront then run for the hills.
These people are not managers but rather they are something that is unsuitable for print.
A manager collects payment on a commission (15%-25%) FROM BOOKINGS only and will only work with you if they feel the investment they make, overtime, will be worth it.
Many larger-than-life talent agents started small at home, equipped with nothing more than a computer and a phone line, which is the beauty of this business.
|
| Do we have to sign a contract before working together? |
Yes, upon signing a contract it obligates the manager to work hard for the client. They are under contract so we have to be especially mindful of projects that they are right for and fight especially hard to get them seen for them. You don't have to sign with an agent exclusively until you see the same happening with them.
For example if you book 2 commercials through an agent then you see that are working especially hard for you. Then ideally you can have one manager and one agent exclusively. This is not the norm until the child/you becomes established and well known in the business.
|
| Do agents and managers work together? |
Yes. But it depends on the project. For commercial work because the agent has many more clients on their roster, the casting director will call them because the agent has a wider selection of children to choose from. That is why a manager will introduce them to commercial agents and forge working relationships with agents. There should be only ONE manager. A manager is at the top of totem pole. He/She ensures that the child has as many working relations with commercial agents as possible to ensure that the child is considered for whatever projects come along.
|
| If a talent books through an agent and a manager, what is the commission? |
Usually. 10 percent for Manager and 10 percent for the Agent.
I like to explain this answer in the following way.
A child books a commercial or print ad and the child earns $ 1000
After commissions (before taxes) a child will take home $800
A child that doesn't book anything or doesn't work at all earns (0).
Please understand that this is normal practice for the industry. It is a fact of life. There are ways of getting around it. (For example you could be the child's manager). If that's an undertaking you wish to pursue then good luck and God Bless… but I would advise you leave the work in the hands of a manager that you trust, and that ultimately has the best interests of the child in mind.
|
| What if I book a job on my own? Do I have to tell you about it, pay you? |
NO, only if the contract is Exclusive.
|
| Do you guarantee Bookings? |
NO. I guarantee to work hard and to try to get the seen for whatever projects they are right for.
|
| What is my responsibility as a parent in this industry? |
1) First and foremost to provide a loving, nurturing and supportive environment this allows your child's imagination and creativity to thrive.
2) Class is important. For a child that sings, a voice teacher and coach is an essential. For a child to work in commercials television and film, class is a must... Imagination and Improvisation as well as a bubbly personality go so far. A solid technique and ease in regards to the audition is crucial. The headshot is the child's calling card, also essential.
3) Never ever disrespect the casting director. Keep conversations with them at a minimum. Always be polite and cordial. They do not have time for feedback, chit chat or to hear why the child is having an off day. Children are entitled to off days. If not today then tomorrow! If they are especially rude or hurtful or make a child upset let the manager know. This situation however is hardly the norm or accepted.
4) Try to keep pictures and resumes around whenever you go to an audition or walking around in general. You never know who you will bump into. ALWAYS remember that your contact information should not appear on the resume. THE only contact information that should be on your resume is that of your manager's.
|
1) Please be on time and make sure the child is prepared. If it's a commercial audition show up early so the child can over any lines if there are any.
2) For movie auditions we usually have time to prepare. That being said, a child that has their lines memorized and has some connection to the material will be at a much greater advantage than a child that does not.
3) Make yourself available. You or the guardians are the chaperones. If I call you and tell you to be there tomorrow. You must be there tomorrow unless you have called earlier to book out. Do not let me call you for an audition only to find out you are in Disneyworld on vacation. This is extremely unprofessional and disrespectful.
4) Be prepared for the following: six months down the line a child can get sick of this. They can say NO MORE, I HATE IT!!! It is ultimately their decision. We have to respect that.
|
| What about the rules under NY DEPT of labor. |
| A parent must get 2 tasks done ASAP. |
1) Working papers. (See Child Permit Information.) They must also be renewed every 6 months.
2) A trust account.
To ensure the child's financial future is protected NY State requires you to open up a trust account for them. Your local Citibank or chase should have representatives that have handled opening up child trust accounts for child performers.
Copies of these forms should be sent to us upon completion. That way I don't have to bother you for them when the child does book and we don't have to go scrambling around.
|
