Agents: Career Timeline

by Maria Mondavi

"MAGIC THREE"

While there are exceptions to almost every rule, there are, for the most part, three main ways to becoming an agent at one of the "majors." The big agencies include CAA, ENDEAVOR, ICM, UTA AND WMA.

1. Mailroom to Boardroom
Qualifications:	Recent college Graduate
Major:	Doesn't matter - If you're savvy, almost any subject can sound like it applies to agenting. However, law, english, business and film are popular majors.
First Job:	If you set out with intentions of being an agent you'll probably want to be hired into an AGENT TRAINEE PROGRAM.
What is a trainee paid:	Not much at all. Each agency varies a little. Weekly salary: $330 to $425
Overtime:	Most agencies pay overtime. The amount of O.T. you'll work and be paid for depends upon where you work, who you end up working for (when you're on a desk) and how dedicated you are. Some agencies cap O.T. Which means that once you work 12 hours OT in a week you should go home. Of course if there is work to be done assistants at certain agencies, which shall remain nameless, will work 20 hours and only get paid for 12 hours. The benefit of this is proving you're a team player. However it is illegal and unethical nonetheless.
Raises:	Most agenices will give you an annual raise. On average, $20 to $25 a week is the standard.
Annual Salary:	$20,800 low end to $40,000 high end
Benefits:	Standard Full medical and dental 2 Weeks vacation (not like any trainee/assistant would dare take the time off. At least not all at one time.) 6-10 sick days a year.
How to get this job:	Prepare a resume. Contact the HR department for each agency you would like to work for and ask how you may submit your resume. (Although cold resumes wont get much response). Utilize any contacts you may have from school, internships or family and friends to either submit your resume or make a phone call on your behalf. Try a temporary agency, like FRIEDMAN AGENCY, who works with CAA, ICM and WMA. Set up an informational interview with someone who is already working at an agency. Meeting with an agent would be ideal but someone in the trainee program or human resources will be just as informative. Ask questions that will prepare you for your interview, i.e. what do they look for in an agent trainee/assistant? Ask this person to put a good word in for you. Interview. Mailroom duties are rather SIMPLE. So if you get the interview, we're assuming you will get the job.
Agent Trainee Program:	You will start off in the mail room. What does this mean? 14 hour days Sorting and delivering mail internally. It's called a "by hand." Graduate to driving all over the city and delivering scripts and doing errands. Generally referred to as "dispatch." In addition to your mailroom duties, try to read scripts, attend films and meet other assistants in the business. The latter is important because you need people if you're going to be an agent. Start building your ROLODEX now. Now you're on the trainee rotation. In addition to being in the mailroom you'll probably start "floating." Which means you are put on various desks so that you get a taste of everything. * Eventually you'll end up on your first desk for a year to a year and half. Agent trainee's usually work on a department heads desk or a covering agents desk. (Department Head-Agent who is in charge of a specific department in the agency. Departments include MP Lit, TV Lit, MP Talent, TV Talent, Music, etc. A covering agent is responsible for tracking all open assignments and projects in various stages of development and production for the studio they're responsible for). Most trainees will be on these desks because this is who they will learn the most from.
How long can you expect to be a trainee:	The time frame varies depending on each individual, as well as the agency they are working for. Generally speaking three years. Although some super trainees get promoted in two years, others take four years.
How to keep your first job:	KA all the way! Kick Ass or Kiss Ass...it's got to be one way or another or both. Either you're a ruthless bastard or a YES man. Work harder than everyone else around you. Arrive early and leave late. Read as many cripts as you can. Study agency grids and rosters. Be a perfect assistant. (See the "15 Ways to Be a Perfect Assistant" section). Read the trades. Be a team player. Dress professional. Be loyal to your agency. Agency pride is major, especially among the senior agents. Never be caught bad mouthing your agency. It's suicide and a sure way not to get promoted.
How to get promoted:	Besides being an excellent trainee, winning over the senior agents with your go-getter personality and working long, grueling hours for a solid two to three years you must bring in a client. So how do you do this before you're even an agent? "Hip pocket"- Unofficial clients of the agency you do favors for on the understanding that if anything is sold or set up, you would get the commission. Typically that client would sign with the agency and become an official client. New talent -Maybe a friend of yours from college sold a screenplay via his manager. He's now looking for an agency. Since you have a relationship with him you persuade him to sign with your agency. Steal already established talent from other agencies based on relationships you have cultivated over the last three years.
2. Lawyer turned Agent
Qualifications:	Law Degree, Bar not necessary.
Previous Employment:	This is dependent on when you decide to become or are recruited to become an agent. Typical situations are as follows: Recent law school graduate who signs up for the agent trainee program. Practicing Entertainment lawyer that joins an agency. Law degreed individual who is working at a production company or studio in business affairs. Note: Many agents have gone to law school but have never practiced law. It can be assumed then that law school is helpful if you would like to be an agent.
How much can you expect to be paid:	It depends upon whether you bring clients with you (writers, directors, etc. that you may have represented as a lawyer) or if you're starting from scratch. You can expect to start in the low six-figures if you were a practicing attorney or formally working in business affairs. A recent law school grad with no industry experience will be paid much like an agent trainee or assistant (see above).
3. Position of Power to Power Agent
Qualifications:	Hold a position of power in Hollywood. Although it's not the traditional path, sometimes individuals in positions of power in Hollywood decide they would like to become agents.
Previous Employment:	Development executive Studio executive Entertainment lawyer Producer
How much you can expect to be paid:	If you were in a position of power and you decide to join the agency ranks you will start with clients. They will be writers you produced, directors you've worked with, actors that have starred in your movies and talent in general who know and respect your reputation in your previous position. This will be the agency's incentive as well as your own reason to make the change. Your base salary will be anywhere from the low six-figures and up, depending upon WHO you are in Hollywood. Since you are bringing in clients, your bonuses/commissions will depend upon how much business your high profile clients bring to the agency. It's extremely possible a person of power who becomes a power agent could make a TON OF MONEY in their first year.

Articles in the Agent Series: