Agent Vs Manager: What do they do?

One of the most confusing things about being a model is the difference between agent and manager; they both do a lot of the same things, but they aren't necessarily the same thing. As each has a different commission attached to it, it sort of behooves a potential model to know the difference.

An agent represents you; for this, he gets a 10% commission of any gig that he gets you. He makes sure that your name is out there, in the sense that casting directors and photographers know that you are looking for work; this can mean anything from maintaining some sort of picture file to making sure that your picture is on his website. He is also looking for jobs that may interest you, up to any limits that you may have discussed. He lastly keeps his ear on the ground for anything that helps either cause, even if it's just for letting the manager know. He is expected to represent you at contract signing; this is not because you can't negotiate contracts, but because entertainment contracts tend to be a lot more interesting than your average contract.

If the agent handles your business details, a manager handles the publicity. He tries to make sure that you are marketable and that you have the proper training. He looks for events that help keep your name in the press; usually in a way that's good for you (some models go on notoriety, for example). This means that he's the one who suggests volunteering for charity events and going to parties, making sure that people can meet you; a little familiarity can be a good thing, as casting directors tend to think of people that they know before people that they actually have to look for. He also bugs you about taking classes, as the more training you have and the more skills that you have the more gigs that you can be hired on, as well as updating your portfolio.

This means that they get to charge a 25% commission. A word of warning for parents: Some jurisdictions explicitly forbid parents from being considered managers, and some tend to see the practice as a conflict of interest. There are numerous reasons for it, ranging from financial (so that the child has something to show for his efforts) to avoiding child abuse. Some jurisdictions go a step further, and do not allow for any relationship between agent or manager and the talent being represented and/or managed, seeing it as a conflict of interest and a way to avoid some interesting relationship fall-out.

Obviously some agencies combine the jobs of agent and manager. Although sometimes the two jobs work in opposition (managers suggest things that are free or cost whereas agents are only interested in income), the pairing can be a highly useful combination as one person or team is in charge of the situation and can thus better coordinate what's going on with your career. This can also be a problem, because, as noted, they work best in opposition. The career is ultimately yours, and it is thus ultimately yours to make sure that it's on course. Always remember that you have the final say, and do not be afraid to use it.