Starting a Career in a Mailroom
The benefits and drawbacks of a post-graduate position at talent agencies.
Living in sunny Los Angeles can be highly appealing to 20-somethings just out of college, and especially just out of Evanston. Many hoping to join the glamorous world of Hollywood are particularly drawn to the talent agency industry. However, post-graduates should weigh the intricacies of the talent agency industry before venturing forth.
There are four agencies to which most graduates flock: Creative Artists Agency (CAA), William Morris Endeavor (WME), International Creative Management (ICM) and United Talent Agency (UTA). These firms represent clients in television, major motion pictures, publishing, music and live entertainment. Agencies know most everything unfolding in the industry — whether it be what shows are getting picked up, or who is getting hired to act in the latest blockbuster.
CAA, WME, ICM and UTA are frequently referred to as “the grad schools for the industry.” The Rolodex of connections acquired in graduate school for some careers is attained in this industry by working at a major talent agency, as networks and producers hire assistants directly from these firms. So even for those not aspiring to be an agent, agencies are an advantageous starting point for any Hollywood career.
Getting in the door as a new hire at talent agencies is almost impossible without a contact referral, as the firms receive thousands of applications each year. However, the contact does not have to be a long-time employee, as even another entry-level employee can flag resumes for an interview. According to an anonymous source who worked for four years as an assistant at UTA, the most important consideration in the application and recruiting process is not an applicant’s major or GPA, but rather ensuring a good personality fit. The agencies want to see highly personable, type-A candidates to ensure the networking and politicking skills needed to excel in the industry.
Unlike many industries, which have lengthy formal training programs for new hires, the talent agencies start their hires in the mailroom. “Breaking into the mailroom is more than competitive. Everyone knows you can only do it with at least one referral. Otherwise, they won’t even interview you,” said a Northwestern student who interned at a Chicago-based talent agency.
In the mailroom, the pay is minimum wage and the goal is to meet and network while delivering mail. Through networking, new hires hope to find a position as an assistant for an executive. A new mailroom hire is generally expected to find an assistant role within six months, at which point the hire gets a pay raise of one dollar per hour. “Once you’re [in the mailroom], in order to secure a job at a desk and as an agent’s assistant, you must make a good impression and form meaningful relationships with not only agents but, more importantly, the assistants whose jobs you’ll hopefully be taking,” said the Northwestern student.
Networking doesn’t stop after promotion to assistant. The job involves long hours tending to more senior employees’ needs. Employees maintain a calendar, plan work travel and, hopefully, work on more engaging assignments like reading scripts or books. The hours vary dramatically depending on for whom one is working, but an advantage to the longer hours is overtime pay.
The lengthy work day is far from over upon leaving the office. Networking continues after work hours; three to four nights a week, new hires have meetings with other industry members in an effort to expand contacts. The search for new career opportunities is relentless.
If this workload sounds exhausting, you’re right. According to the individual formerly at UTA, roughly 25 trainees comprised his “starting class” at the agency. By the end of the first year, half of them had left. When he followed suit and left four years later, only three others from his starting class worked at UTA. Some of his peers exited the talent agency industry entirely, but many stayed in entertainment. They used their experience at UTA to pursue different career tracks in Hollywood like writing, producing, and acting. The diversity of post-career tracks demonstrates the breadth of knowledge that employees gain at talent agencies — and the opportunities one has to determine where their interests and strengths lie.
The rise up the talent agency career ladder is relatively slow. The pay is comparatively low. Oftentimes, new employees encounter demanding personalities. However, for those with a passion for the entertainment industry, a few years as an assistant at a talent agency can be a strong entry point.
