Ask Denise: Agent? Manager? What’s the Difference?

Representation
Written By Denise Simon

Q: What’s the difference between an agent and a manager?

A: Here’s the basic breakdown:

A MANAGER:

  •  Helps to cultivate a career. Does not just book a job.

  • Generally has fewer clients than an agent.

  • Gives more individual attention.

  • While working with a manager, you can freelance with several agents, thereby having access to more auditions.

  • Managers generally take a 15% commission off the top.

 

AN AGENT:

  •  Agents are state licensed employment agencies.

  • By law, agents cannot take more than a 10% commission. If you only have an agent, you only pay this one commission.

  • Can have a small or large number of clients.

Denise Simon

Denise has a gift for speaking the language of young actors , communicating in a way that instills confidence and builds skill sets. Her classes and industry workshops attract both established and emerging talent. She has coached hundreds of children and young adults, privately and on-set, who appear regularly on Broadway, TV and film.

A veteran of the industry as an actress, teacher, director, casting director and personal talent manager, Denise has expertise not only with coaching performers in the craft through private lessons, but also through weekly classes, group workshops, summer productions, industry showcases and college teleseminars. Denise provides private consulting to guide young actors and their parents through the challenges inherent to show business. She works with high school students on their college auditions and guides them through the performing arts college admission process.

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