MANAGERS

Managers are NOT talent agents although some do all they can to act as an agent to attract more clients.  Managers are also loosely regulated if at all.  What a manager is supposed to do is help talent with their business activities.  They will help them allocating their money wisely and assist them with making important career decisions including keeping them from taking on roles or public activities that would be adverse to the talent's career development.  They will even assist with routine matters such as making travel arrangements and perhaps assuring that a limo is available.  Good managers can be deeply useful to talent but their price is relatively high typically at 15% of the talents gross income.   Most actors just getting started frankly don't need a manager.  However, once a talent becomes steadily and profitably engaged employing a good manager might be desireable and arguably essential.  I would recommend getting a management referral from a trusted agent or lawyer. 

BACKGROUND ACTORS a/k/a EXTRAS

Background acting will never make you rich or famous.  It can, however, provide modest income while pursuing a larger acting career.  And there are those whose comfort level is right there in being an extra.  So be it.  If your dreams reach beyond background, however, there are still some good reasons for doing extra work.  Yes, there is modest money usually between $50 to $150 per day.   You also gain valuable experience on set which will serve you well when the bigger deal comes along.  And you do get to meet and mingle somewhat with other actors, directors and other industry players.  One word of caution though is that if it is your objective to grow into larger roles do not splatter your resume with tons of background gigs.  There is a natural if arguably unfair tendency for casting directors to dismiss you as not serious when they see gobs of background jobs and not much else on your resume.  Probably the best way to get those background acting jobs is through Central Casting.  Central Casting has a track record since 1925.  They charge a modest registration fee but they do help those who want the job get the job.  

ENTERTAINMENT LAWYERS

Entertainment Law is a combination of general law topics such as contract law along with speciality areas such as intellectual property law.  The very moment you become involved with anything substantial in your career you really need a well qualified lawyer to work with you.  This is true whether you are an actor who just got your first big break, or a writer or director or producer moving into an area involving significant money.  The very best time to hire your lawyer is before you sign the deal.  Waiting until later will often involve litigation and that it is something you don't want to get involved with.  You know the old cliche' "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."  It is very true.  I can not at this point recommend any one lawyer so following is a link to a large list of entertainment law practitioners in the greater Los Angeles area.