Managers: Non WGA signatories (What's the problem?)

[SAC]

When you don't have an agent, and you're considering going with a manager (none of whom have to be signatories of the Writer's Guild bylaws), what should one be on guard for? Is there any risk that comes with a manager simply because he is not WGA approved?

[JakeSchuster aka Ostroff]

I don't believe managers sign with the WGA. Do searches for the names on this board, look for threads that might give you some hint of his or her track record, find out what kind of clients he or she handles.

[AndyWarholsGhost]

If your signatory agent screws you, you can go to the WGA.

If you non-signatory manager screws you, you can only go to court.

Be very careful who you are dealing with, and to echo Jake's sound advice, check them out very well, and make sure they have a track record of being able to get their clients into the right areas.

Also, I believe that managers cannot negotiate deals, while that is the life blood of most agents.

[Steve]

The WGA is working on the whole manager issue. There are a lot of things to be ironed out and eventually there will probably be some sort of signatory agreement.

The biggest issue with managers is that most of them try to get a producer credit on anything they sell. That raises the question of divided alliegence. Is he working as a producer to get the best deal for himself or is trying to get you the best possible deal as a writer? Ideally, these things aren't in conflict but you can see how they could be. Some managers have first look deals with a studio which can also work for or against you.

However, managers are not non-signatory because they are somehow "bad." There has been an explosion of managers in the past couple of years because agents have become primarily deal-makers. Many writers feel they needed more attention and more push and managers fill that void.

If there's a particular manger you're wondering about, post his or her name here you'll probably hear more than you ever wanted to.

[AndyWarholsGhost]

Steve,
That last part is very sound advice, about posting the name.

I personally hope that some signatory deal is worked out, for I believe it would be better for those of us repped by managers.

Managers do have to refund their 10-15% should they take a producer's fee, right? That is what I've heard. Otherwise, we're talking double-dipping?

[JakeSchuster aka Ostroff]

Andy, you're correct. If in any doubt about yours (and we've traded e-mails on the subject), simply ask him up front.

[SAC]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I feel confident the manager is reputable, but I wanted to hear about other experiences, and possible problems.

Good to know about the 10-15% refund.

Is there a website or book about managers that covers these sorts of topics? Plenty out there on agents ...

[wcmartell]

Things to look out for:
1) Make sure there's a 90 day clause in your contract - so that you can get out of the contract. You DON'T want to be tied to a manager for years if you know within months that he isn't going to help you.
2) Producer credit & producer fee - you want to make sure the manager isn't going to screw a deal because he wants to pretend he's a producer.
3) 10%.
4) Who makes the decisions to send out your script?
5) Will the manager allow you to send out scripts on your own?
6) Be very careful of managers who have agendas that are different than yours - if they have a different goal than you do, you will eventually be unhappy when they force you to do what's best for THEIR career.

- Bill