So After timeless questions that so many people in the industry start out to ask how do you go about finding the right professional manager to represent you?… Well First, you need to understand the difference between a manager, brand manager, booking agent, and talent agent.
WHEN IS IT TIME TO GET ACTING AGENT MANAGER BY D-TEFLON
Having worked in the entertainment industry for over 26yrs I have worked as an Actor Producer Talent Agent and Manager working with some of the biggest names in Hollywood to the Modeling and music industry and I have introduced these seminars at the AEG LIVE SOIREE FILM & TELEVISION FESTIVAL to help inspiring actors models and talent navigate thru this crazy biz to help them on the right path in reaching their goals as I come from an era taught by my late mentor Sydney Pollack that you always pay it forward
BUT BEFORE I ANSWER IT LET ME ASK YOU DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TALENT AGENT BRAND MANAGER OR A MANAGER…AND THINGS TO KNOW IF YOUR SERIOUS ABOUT TAKING YOUR CAREER IN THE ENTERTAINMENT WORLD AS AN ACTOR OR A MODEL TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
IF YOU DON’T KNOW HOW TO.. LET ME EXPLAIN TO YOU…FOR YOU BEGINNERS
If you’re signed with a manager from a company that person is like your mom and dad in the industry, helping you to make all of your career decisions, protecting your image and consulting you on any business decisions, and as well helping market you to the right people including who your agent should be.
Without a star, there can be no planets and there can be no life.
Without a star, you can have a hit single be the hottest chick on the planet but never a hit career. So what makes a star? That my friends are the million-dollar questions so many want to know…
It’s kind of like the Supreme Court’s definition of “obscenity”…they said, we can’t define it but we certainly “know it when [we]Â I see it”
Many talent managers all around the World the top agencies in New York and L.A like C.A.A ICM, Gersh, Alliance Entertainment Group, etc they know the quality is to know what they look for and the best way we can define a star, and in our case, the next best-kept secret is to say that it’s an intangible quality about a person that creates an unending demand in the minds of the public to see more, learn more and hear more about that person.
 @DTEFLON @JOHNTRAVOLTA @KEVIN CONNOLLY
Unfortunately, in many cases either you have it or you don’t! and we know if that person has that star quality to go to the next level cause you pretty much can feel the energy of them But there are certainly many examples of celebrities who have created their star images (e.g., Marilyn Manson Madonna, Eminem) very successfully.
Why? You ask Because they all understand what it is to be a star, and they all manufactured it from the beginning.
Can you count how many images changes Madonna and Marilyn Manson and Eminem rapping about some of the most controversial issues sort of like the white rapper that Kurt Cobain would have been..lol but my point is Each one was carefully calculated to grab the public’s attention and focus it all on the right when they needed it?
If nothing else, these names are some of the most brilliant marketing people to ever step foot in the music industry so when presenting us your demo and press package be creative and bottom-line be prepared and most important have real talent.
My point in all of this is to say that you will need much more than just a pretty look to succeed in the entertainment business today & to get signed by a top agency
Remember just because an agency has 1000 people on their roster doesn’t make them a good agency unless u are like CAA or WMA and if u see there talent roster only the best of the best are there we try to do the same
WHAT DOES AÂ TALENT AND BRAND MANAGER DO?
So initially, when getting started you should be looking for a Brand manager first before even attempting to look for a talent agent on your own because if an agent has nothing to sell then you will find very little success finding work…
@D-TEFLON & ACTOR BEN MCKENZIE
A brand manager’s job in the easiest terms I can explain is like a drug dealer and you’re the drug…
His or her job is to take you being the product and place you on the street corners to create a supply and demand market place to actually see where the best investment of the direction to take you in for example if your a model anyone can get a reaction online with half-naked shots and that you can consider your crack cocaine, Its easy to get addicted to quickly but the real question in understanding as a model are you a model or are you a brand is doing you get the same effect when you’re in high fashion or clothing, and if your an actor or actress what type of actor are you a theater-style actor with multi-layers a dramatic actor a typecast actor meaning you only seem to look the part of either a certain character like a police office FBI agent or a certain race like to play a terrorist or typecast type actor.
The brand managers job in creating that supply and demand and getting your name out there is to promote your name so that it gets the attention of either the top modeling agencies or to the top producer’s directors and casting directors which he will be the face for you in helping connect you with the right people to work as well helping establish your value and making sure your getting the best offers for companies that may want to work with you as well as any projects to make sure you don’t make anything to jeopardize your name or career before your career takes off pretty much the only way to get you in the door the right way (and not a business manager either, because he/she is really just your financial advisor and accountant who is primarily handling your contract negotiations and dealings with offers that are presented to you to make sure that they are on the level and your not being taken advantage of).
MARK TAYLOR DEAN ARMSTRONG DTEFLON ADAM BUTCHER DANIEL GODDARD @AEG LIVE SOIREE CELEBRITY BRUNCH
Rule number one of management is never ever be listening to or use your boyfriend or girlfriend or even friend who you think happens to have some general business abilities just because he had a successful paper route when you were kids, Look for someone that has real general knowledge of the industry and has a successful track record in the industry or field your in on the highest level possible.
Pitbull & D-Teflon
You need to find a manager with experience, resources, and contacts. Now here’s the rub, the managers and agents with the most experience, resources and contacts don’t have time for you. That’s because they’re out there spending their time managing their superstar clients who make them a lot of money right now and a new artist just takes too much time and attention to cultivate.
So what do you do? What I will tell you is the one way is to get the attention of a mid-level manager who works basically as a Brand Manager for the big-time entertainment talent manager.
Don’t get frustrated and be looking at those talents or models who are having great opportunities and think that will never be me or I have to sell my soul to get that..
First, worry about building your portfolio and gaining more and more experience working with real professionals and making sure you have a lot of credits of professional work and build your following strong and get many referrals and testimonials on your portfolio or website or letters from clients you have worked for to be a reference that your a talent or model that has a good reputation that when it comes time to present you can’t be overlooked for not having enough professional experience.
One day the smaller brand manager learning the ropes he’ll probably be the big boss but for now, at least he/she has the attention of the big guy and access to his contacts but before you going look for a brand manager to help kick start your modeling or acting career make sure you have a proper package in place means a professional portfolio demo reel & updated photos, resume meaning you can have all the looks in the world but you must possess a talent for the manager to see and be able to market to an agent.
Let me ask you a question Do you truly know what it takes to be a star in the biz and have a long-lasting career like some of these faces below …
After your established look into connecting with hiring a great publicist or PR Agency to create blogs and media publicity on you and get you access to the hottest events to be seen at so that you can get your photos taken by some of the most credited media photographers
Just look at the tabloids each week and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about And then ask yourself, what is it about Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and so many other A-List stars, etc. If your thinking of becoming a major name in showbiz or the fitness industry it’s all the same so ask yourself what makes some of the people that inspire you interesting to the public? and what do they have and how can I get it.
If you like to learn more and hear more well you will have to sign up for one of my seminar classes and you can pick my brain some more and my next class in regards to finding out about how to find the right agency or agent to work with… To find out more on the cost for workshops and seminars please contact
www.aeglivesoiree.com/afternoon-delight
Looking for Representation?
Models & Influencers Submit to www.aemtmodels.com
Actors Artists Comedians submit to www.allianceentertainment.orgÂ
Article Comments