Is Eric From Entourage A Perfect Example of How to Become an Artist Manager?

The show Entourage gives an interesting look at the life of an artist manager from friend to professional. Now I know this is something you might read and wonder how I came to write this so let me explain.

When we are first introduced to the character of Eric (E) he has been Vince’s best friend since childhood. They grew up together and when Vince got his big break Eric unofficially because his manager. As the show continued throughout the seasons we witness Eric’s growth through his career choice. We also get to see how even being the artists best friend doesn’t mean you share the same career goals.

Through the first few seasons Eric is basically a bonafied Yes man. His job is to agree with whatever Vince’s agent says because he knows what’s best for Vince. This right here is a prime example of how managing either your best friends or a total strangers career can be a challenge. You have to prove to the artist and any other person involved in their career that you know what you are talking about and doing. This can be going out of your way to find the perfect project for them or making sure they are keeping their life in order.

As the seasons progressed so did Eric’s ambition and career goals. He started asking for advice from people he saw as mentors and taking a risk in opening his own management business. These were ricks that Eric needed to take in order to prove not only to himself that he can make it in this business. However, one of the biggest things Eric could have done was no longer be Vince’s Yes man. He would truly give his advice on projects because he didn’t just want to sit back and collect his commission.

Finally, Eric would prove that he has what it takes to take over one of the biggest management firms in Hollywood. Of course, you can say that this only happened because it was a TV show, but in reality it shows what hard work and having the “it” factor for finding projects can lead you. It shows that you need to have that personally connection to the artist and be willing to say no to them. Not everything they say or want to do is right and best for their career. They need to know that no one artist is the same and sometimes you need to forge your own path.

I think one of the main reasons I choose to write about is because when I first started watching Entourage I showed me what I wanted to do with my life. My friend was going to be Vince and I was going to be his Eric. Only thing is that my friend knew I wasn’t a yes man and would tell him if something was wrong or not fit for him. Another reason is because if you look at a lot of artist these days their family and friends play major roles. Brittney Spears and Kanye West are two major examples of how sometimes family and friends are the best management.

Now I’m not saying everyone should look at Entourage as a way to learn and understand the entertainment business. The show gives you an inside look, but it truly doesn’t show you the blood, sweat and tears that go into managing an artist. Yes, you might get to enjoy yourself here and there, but it isn’t always fun. You are on the job 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Most of your time will be spent on the phone depending how big your artist is. Oh and let’s not forget the late nights and ever changing schedule.

Those are things that I learned first had watching agents and managers work. Being constantly on the clock isn’t something most people can handle so along with the knowledge you also have to be ready to commit to yourself and the artist. Their life becomes your life.