ABSTRACT
Inevitably there will come a time in your filmmaking lifestyle where you’ll start to ask yourself if you need some professional help to boost your career. Aren’t I supposed to have a big-time Hollywood agent helping me break into Hollywood? The answer is yes … sort of. In a perfect world, your first-time film will make a big splash at a big festival and you’ll be courted by the Alpha-Bits of agents and managers (the likes of CAA, WME, UTA, ICM, etc.). And if that happens, then great! A good agent or manager (or team of both) can elevate an indie filmmaker and steer them toward directing the next Marvel or Star Wars movie, or landing a Netflix series! Keep in mind though, that this is a rare happenstance. More likely, you’ll find yourself chasing agents and managers and begging them to take you on as a client. By the way, the main difference between an agent and a manager is that legally, an agent can’t be a producer and a manager can. But this distinction has largely evaporated as most big agencies now also have their own production companies, and likewise, most managers can negotiate all your deals instead of an agent. Either way, you’ll more than likely still need an entertainment lawyer.
