A breakdown of what agents, managers, and other reps actually do (and don’t)
One of the most confusing parts of starting out as an actor is figuring out who represents you and what they’re supposed to be doing. The terminology gets thrown around a lot, and it’s easy to end up with the wrong people – or no one at all – because the roles aren’t that clear.
Here’s what actually matters.
Agents
An agent is the person who submits actors for auditions. That’s their main job. They get a breakdown from casting directors, look through their roster, and send actors they think fit the role.
How they make money: Commission on what actors book. Typically 10% for commercial work, 10-20% for film and TV depending on the project.
What they do:
- Submit for roles
- Negotiate contracts and fees
- Advocate for better offers
- Keep you in the loop about industry news relevant to your type
What they don’t do:
- Coach you for auditions
- Build your reel
- Help with branding or social media
- Work for free (if someone’s doing all this without commission structure, they’re not really an agent)
The catch: Agents only make money when you book. So theoretically, they’re motivated to get you work. In reality, agents are often juggling 50-100+ actors, so how much attention you get depends on your booking history and how marketable you are.
Managers
A manager is different. They’re more like a career strategist who takes a longer view of your career.
How they make money: Commission on what you book, usually 10-15%. Unlike agents, they can also take a percentage of things like endorsement deals or appearance fees.
What they do:
- Help map out your career direction
- Advise on which roles to pursue
- Coach you on auditions and self-tapes
- Build relationships with casting directors and producers on your behalf
- Help develop your brand and social media presence
- Negotiate deals alongside your agent
- Advocate for you when you’re not booking
What they don’t do:
- Legally submit you for union jobs (that’s the agent’s job)
- Work for free long-term
The difference that matters: A manager is invested in your career trajectory, not just individual bookings. They’ll sometimes turn down roles they think are wrong for you, even if it means losing commission that week. An agent needs you to book whatever you can.
When you need what
Just starting out: You might only have a manager. Many new actors work with a manager before getting agent representation. A good manager helps position you so agents want to sign you.
Building momentum: Once you’re booking consistently, agents become essential because they have the direct relationships with casting directors for the bigger roles.
Mid-level and up: Most working actors have both an agent AND a manager. They work together. Your agent submits, your manager advises on strategy and handles bigger picture stuff.
The messy part: Not all reps are created equal
Some managers basically act like agents but take a bigger commission. Some agents try to manage careers. Quality varies wildly.
Red flags:
- Anyone asking for upfront fees before you book anything
- A rep who doesn’t know casting directors in your market
- Someone representing 500+ actors (they can’t possibly give individual attention)
- Reps who can’t explain their job clearly
Good signs:
- They only make money when you make money
- They can tell you specifically which casting directors they have relationships with
- They give honest feedback about your type and marketability
- They respect your boundaries and don’t oversell you on bad roles
The freelance option
Some actors start by freelancing – submitting themselves directly to casting directors or working with multiple reps on a non-exclusive basis. It’s exhausting and you’ll miss a lot of submissions, but it’s an option while you’re building relationships.
Bottom line
Agents get you in the door. Managers help you pick the right doors and prepare you to walk through them. Both take commission, both should only make money when you do, and both should be able to clearly explain what they’re doing for you.
If anyone can’t answer “how does this help my career?” you probably don’t need them.
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