by Kathy
(United States)
QUESTION:
My daughter is a BFA student that graduates in 2010. She has asked me if I would be her manager. Does one need to be licensed? If so, what do I need to do? What is the difference between an acting agent and an acting manager?
Thank you in advance.
Kathy
ANSWER:
It’s great that you want to help your daughter succeed, but I strongly recommend you encourage her to look for a professional manager and/or agent. Acting managers and agents use contacts they’ve built through the years to get new signed talent seen by casting directors. It would take too long for you to build similar relationships, not to mention that you would need to represent more then one actor to establish credibility.
That being said, you can do a lot to help your daughter’s career without being her manager. First of all, you can help her get a manager or agent. A good place to start is her graduate showcase. Help her make a mass mailing with her headshot and resume to agents, managers and casting directors in the area, inviting them to come see her perform.
Better still, if her fellow students are up for it, design a flyer with all the actors’ headshots who will be in the showcase. If one actor has a strong credit in film or theater, highlight it. Agents and managers are very busy people and they’re more likely to attend a scene night or showcase if they can see several new talents at once and if some of them have good credits.
You can also help your daughter write a cover letter to send along with her headshot and resume. It should include a brief introduction mentioning her major credits or achievements and basically say that she’s looking for representation. Finish the letter with an RSVP number for the showcase and mention that complimentary tickets for the agent/manager and a guest will be waiting at the box office.
These mailings are a lot of work so your daughter will be glad to have you “manage” it. After she gets out of school, there’ll be many more mailings (of postcards to casting directors, for example). You can also help her look for auditions and networking opportunities. If you still want to be a manager, take a look at our acting managers page. It talks about the differences between agents and managers and about what a good manager does. Requirements to become an acting manager depend on the state you live in, so you’ll need to contact your local state office to know if you need a license or not. Organizations like Talent Managers Association may also be able to assist you.
Best of luck to your daughter. Feel free to use the comment form below to share her acting career successes.
Alex