Licensing
One main difference between a manager and agent is that an agent has to be licensed by the state and a manager does not. This is why so many artists are managed by an uncle, brother, or best friend (think of the character “E” from HBO’s hit show “Entourage”). If you want to become a manager, just find an artist willing to hire you and, congratulations, you are a manager. If you want to become an agent, you’ll need to meet certain requirements and go through an application process with the state.
經理人與經紀人最主要的差別之一是，經紀人需由政府授權，經理人則否。這也就是許多藝人由其舅叔、兄弟或好朋友擔任經理人。假設你想要成為經理人，找一個想雇你的人即可；那麼恭喜你，你便是一位藝人之經理人。假設你想成為一位經紀人，你須符合某些要件並透過申請，方能成為經紀人。
California law defines a “talent agent” as “a person or corporation who engages in the occupation of procuring, offering, promising, or attempting to procure employment or engagements for an artist or artists.”
加州法將藝人經紀人定義為，一個從事居間（招攬），要約、承諾或是試圖招攬或與藝人訂立雇傭契約之自然人或法人。
“Artists” is defined as “actors and actresses rendering services on the legitimate stage and in the production of motion pictures, radio artists, musical artists, musical organizations, directors of legitimate stage, motion picture and radio productions, musical directors, writers, cinematographers, composers, lyricists, arrangers, models, and other artists and persons rendering professional services in the motion picture, theatrical, radio, television and other entertainment enterprises.”
藝人係，在合法舞台，電影、廣播，音樂等提供演出、表演等之男女藝人、音樂之詞曲創作者、編劇、導演、編曲者、模特兒，電影之幕後工作者等。
What does all that legal mumbo jumbo mean? Basically, it means that an agent is the only person who can seek out employment opportunities for artists. The practical result is that in the music business an agent’s job is to book tours and appearances, and in the motion picture business an agent’s job is to get their clients roles in movies. (One exception to the rule is that a manager may look for and negotiate record contracts on behalf of music clients). So, now we know an agent’s job is to hunt down gigs. But, what does a manager do? Short answer: they do whatever it takes to make sure the client is happy and that his or her career stays on track.
上述肉肉長的，包山包海的專業人員意指為何？基本上，經紀人僅係能為藝人尋求更多受酬工作機會之人。在音樂產業裏，經紀人即是協助你出門訂車票、機票，訂房間及讓你有更多露臉機會之人。在電影事業裏，經紀人是幫藝人客戶爭取角色及演出機會之人。是故，經紀人的工作是幫客戶爭取到演出之人。那麼經理人的工作又係如何？簡言之，無論做什麼只要確保藝人客戶開心（就是把客戶伺候的服服貼貼的），使藝人職業生涯保持正軌即可。
