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Is this"Manager" a good thing?
This 'manager' handed me a card at the mall and said she wants to handle my career. when my mom and me went to her office, she said she had a standard contract that all managers has their clients sign and that I needed voice lessons, acting classes, and needed to go to this expensive convention costing thousands of dollars. I mean...she sounded impressive and claimed to belong to some manager's association in New York City. My mom thought she was a shyster. Was my mom wrong in blowing her off? B.G. tampa .
ATI Response
Based on the context of your letter, your mom was probably justified in deciding NOT to sign this managers contract. Managers have been around for a long time but lately a new type of manager has evolved in the smaller markets. They are managers who claim to help you find work but act like modeling schools.
At major conventions, for every legitimate agent, there are five managers who claim that they can do the same job as an agent 'only better'. They usually charge fees of 10 to 25% (per cent) that are in addition to an agents standard 10% fee...so you are being hit with up to 35% of your earnings for every paying job that you get. It adds up fast. The problem comes when you do not book any jobs. Then the 'manager' starts to set up for services to enhance your career and most of these are very expensive.
If you appear in a 'real' movie, television show, or commercial: the project will have to be sanctioned by the union (SAG, AFTRA, EQUITY, etc.). Only a union sanctioned agent can get you on the set. If your manager has the clout to get you hired in front of recognized existing union talent, then your manager has to get a union agent to file all the paperwork, collect payment and make that you get paid.
Unfortunately, most managers outside of New York or Los Angeles do not have that kind of clout. Thus, they make their incomes by sending you to schools, camps, conventions and photo shoots. They act like modeling schools.
ATI brings in super managers to look at out clients ...managers that have a track history of getting results for their clients. One of them has developed Tobey Maguire, (SPIDERMAN), Adam Brody (JENNIFER'S BODY), and Seth Green (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER). Please keep in mind that for every 'super manager' : there are thousands of money grubbers that are not capable of producing one single job for you whatsoever.
This second category of manager does not look as their job being to help you get work but rather to act as your personal shopper. Most see nothing wrong with putting you in classes that they are being reimbursed for, bringing in a specialist (voice, dance, photos) that they are getting a kickback on, or sending you to a expensive convention that they have marked up sometimes as much as $10,000.00.
This double dipping is a disgusting scam. To prey it out on an unsuspecting client who all the while thinks that their manager is looking out for them is despicable. A lot of them are ex-modeling school people looking for an easier sale but the bulk of them are just opportunists looking for the fast buck.
Certain states like Florida require licensing for agents and managers. If someone is requiring a contract that specifies retaining a percent of your earnings, contact the Florida Department of Professional Regulation at myflorida.com and look under 'talent agency' licensing complaints.
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