Why a Bad Manager is Worse than No Manager at all
8 🚩Red Flags 🚩 to look out for when meeting with representation.
We keep on keeping on here y’all because not only can we change the world with our stories, we can take all these old republican’s jobs and change the industry for good hehehehe!
Finding representation is a lot like dating… the last thing you want to do is settle when you’re trying to find your long-term partner.
If the next step in your film career is getting representation, you’ve probably wondered just how to find the right rep and what to ask in that big first meeting. But something that isn’t talked enough about is how many baby writers end up signing with sketchy or outright toxic reps because they thought something was better than nothing. Bbased on some of the horror stories I’ve heard, it’s definitely not.
And to ideally avoid anyone else learning that the hard way - today, we’re breaking down the red flags to watch for and how a bad manager can stall or even derail your career. Let’s get into it.
So, today we’re talking Reps and Red Flags! 🚩
1. They don’t Align on Your Vision 🚩
I ran into this a lot when I was meeting with managers and agents after making the Black List in 2022. My feature script was a WACKY COMEDY, but my TV pilots? Much darker mysteries. When I explained this to the reps I met with, some of them were… confused. They wanted to label me as their COMEDY GIRL, which would’ve seriously boxed me in and limited what I love to write.
Then I finally found reps who got it. They said, “Oh, this is awesome—this means we can get you double the meetings.”
Ding, ding! That’s the kind of vision and team you want: people who get you and are excited to support what you want to do across the industry.
If you go into your meeting and lay out all of your plans (start with 1-3 years then big dreams) and they don’t see it. They aren’t the right fit.
2. They’re Poor Communicators 🚩
This is another thing you should discuss in your meetings. What is your preferred communication style and what’s their usual? They have multiple clients, how do they manage that and make sure nobody falls to the wayside. How quickly are you expected to get back to them? What is their notes turnaround time.
This one is tricky because they may come off great in the meeting but then divulge into someone who is hard to get a hold of but you’ll be able to tell really quickly. If they don’t get back about deadlines or new opps, meetings or even not being clear on how they position you to their contacts.
3. They don’t have the right network 🚩
If you’re meeting with a manager or agent from a smaller agency or company, you want to make sure you do your do due diligence and ensure that people in the industry know who they are. You can ask where they have gotten clients jobs at or where projects are set up to get an idea. Because if they don’t have the right network, that means your scripts aren’t getting read by the right people - producers, studios, execs, etc and you won’t have enough meetings.
4. They’ve burn bridges already 🚩
This one seems vague but just bear with me. This is a lot more common than people realize, you may have a meeting with a manager at a reputable agency or management company (they may even get scripts on the blacklist) but if they have left a sour taste in other folks’ mouths in the industry, the same issues apply as not having the right network at all.
This is a small town when it comes to industry folk and people do remember being screwed over and if your rep screwed over someone who moved to a big production company or studio - then getting into that place isn’t going to be easy.
5. They take on too many clients 🚩
Some managers or agents spread themselves too thin, juggling a roster of clients that they can’t adequately support. I think you see this more with the BIG agencies than with managers but if you’re repped at big agency and you think the name recongition is important but they’re too focused on high-profile clients, it’s all a wash. They may also not be reading your scripts or helping you improve them as much as you need so early in your career. Plus, feeling like an afterthought, which can erode your confidence and creativity.
6. They push you into bad corners 🚩
Inexperienced or unethical representatives may push you not only accept low-paying or one-sided deals but they may keep you writing an idea because they aren’t sure what’s right. This could result in countless hours writing pointless drafts or getting trapped into a bad deal at a sketch production company.
7. They mismanage expectations 🚩
A bad manager might overpromise what they can deliver. If they tell you they’ll get your script in front of big-name producers, but months pass with no movement, that’s
They assure you you’re a top priority but fail to secure any meaningful opportunities.
This can lead to discouragement, a sense of betrayal, and wasted time on fruitless efforts.
8. They Try to Change You 🚩
The wrong rep might try to mold you into a type of writer they think will sell instead of nurturing your unique voice. You might spend months trying to fit a square into a circle hole, metaphorically speaking, by writing what they’re telling you to instead of writing what your passionate about. Long-term it could damage your career trajectory as you stray further from what makes you special.
Signing with the wrong representative might feel like progress in the short term, but it can lead to lost time, missed opportunities, and creative burnout. It’s 10000% worth waiting for someone who truly understands your voice, believes in your potential, and has the connections and work ethic to help you succeed.
Hopefully this post can help will help you realize when you’ve found a near perfect match in your rep search or convince you to hold off until the right manager or agent comes along. And as always, stay delulu with a plan.