Questions

1. If an actor becomes a client of yours tomorrow, and relative to their credits, because you have such a star driven client list… does that automatically translate into being able to get me (or just a non-star client) in for anything?
2. Why would you recommend to any actor to subscribe to and read either Variety and/or The Hollywood Reporter, even if they’ve not moved yet to Hollywood, but are planning to?
3. Actors tend to believe that once you’ve been on a “hit TV show” or a lead in a successful major studio film that it is all easy street from there on out. You have two very high profile clients who have had both successful film roles and major TV series success. These days does TV success automatically equal Film opportunities, and vice versa… and if not… why not?
4. Do you believe it is either right/wrong, and/or common, for personal managers to front money to their clients for various common industry expenses such as pictures, classes or even… rent as a new client or new to LA?
5. Would you, do you, or have you specifically made plans to be at a certain location or participate or attend an event so that you have the opportunity to meet a particular executive, producer or director in the effort to build an association for you, your company and your clients?
6. You are exceptionally successful and still relatively young man… so what drives you every day? What is a goal for you, as a Manager, say 5 years from now?
7. Personal Managers have sort of a stigma because of the word “personal” that means there are certain areas of their clients lives they HAVE to deal with… so do you have any professional lines as a manager that are just areas you won’t cross into with a client in their life… and if so, why?
8. You have two partners, so when it comes to the “Company brand” do you three all have to agree on a “new client” or do you sort of all work mutually exclusive with your list… just under one roof?
9. As a Manager with several “star” clients, do you or your partners ever discuss the concept of “Hip-pocketing” an actor and under what circumstances would you?
10. ActorBizGuru is going to be seen by all types of actors around the world, but for those who hear about the UpFronts every year in New York, please define what the UpFronts are, why you would be there, and what purpose it serves for a client who has to be there?

About the Guru

Mark Armstrong has been a talent manager since 1995, representing such actors as James Gandolfini, Chris Noth, John Ortiz and Michael Raymond-James. After graduating from USC’s School of Journalism and working as a publicist in the entertainment industry, Mark took an internship in a talent agency where he discovered his love of developing actors. He was an agent for a few years before beginning his management career with Gold/Bouchard. He has been a partner at Sanders.Armstrong.Caserta Management for almost 15 years. In addition to the actors mentioned, the firm represents Marg Helgenberger, Michael Sheen, Jack Davenport, Malin Akerman and Rooney Mara. Mark grew up in Northern California and has been residing in Los Angeles since 1988.