Generally speaking, I’d say Managers are better than Agents. A Manager will go get you an Agent at some point. A Manager can help you get meetings and get to know people and help you to find your career trajectory in a macro sense.
An Agent is just there to sell you. They have 500 clients, whereas a Manager is going to have a little bit of time for you. They can read your material. They can give you notes on your material. They can send it to people. I would look for a Manager first if I were going to go in that direction.
I’ve gone through periods where I didn’t have a Manager or Agent, but I had an Attorney. Depending on how many people you know and how ensconced in the industry you are–like if your father’s a celebrity and can get you dinner with Marty Scorsese and you can get the script in directly–you probably don’t need a Manager.
Then you have an Attorney if Marty decides he’s going to option your material and that will be enough for you. As soon as he does option your material, every Manager and Agent will want to sign you and they’ll come after you, which is a better place to be.
One of the things I love that’s open to everybody via tickets is Sundance. Go to Sundance Festival–any festival. There are Agents and Managers there all the time and it’s a much easier place to meet people. Just meet them and socialize. You don’t have to sell yourself or anything but just keep in touch with them. That’s such a great way to meet Producers and Actors and talent. It’s a great place to go…and it’s fun.