Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Comedy Talent Managers
Rachel, a Comedy Talent Manager at Framework Entertainment, recommends aspiring talent representatives, regardless of their specific interest within entertainment, begin at "a big place, um, an agency" or large management company to "see how everything works." Starting at an agency provides an unparalleled opportunity to observe the inner workings of the industry and learn how talent is developed and booked.
Talent Management, Literary Representation, Talent Agency, Entry-Level Positions, Industry Insights
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Rachel Heffler
Comedy Talent Manager
Framework Entertainment
Syracuse University
N/A
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Sales and Client Management
Honors Student, Greek Life Member, LGBTQ
Video Highlights
1. Starting at a large agency or management company is the best way to see the inner workings of the entertainment industry, including how shows get developed and how managers and agents interact with their clients.
2. Working at an agency provides exposure to various aspects of talent representation, such as how clients get booked for TV shows and the relationships with casting directors.
3. Agencies have departments covering various areas of entertainment, including talent, literary, theater, and concerts, offering diverse opportunities for those interested in representation.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate or graduate student might consider starting out in?
I would recommend going to a large agency. That's what was recommended to me by multiple people when I did my semester in LA. Starting at an agency, or a large management company, is the best way to see how everything works.
You can really observe the inner workings of how shows get developed. You'll see how managers and agents talk to their clients, and how a client gets put into a TV show and booked. You'll also learn about relationships with casting.
These things are important for both what I do on the talent side, and if you're looking to be in any type of representation. This could be talent, which is what I do, or lit, which involves developing scripts and books and representing authors, showrunners, and screenwriters.
It could also be theater, like Broadway, or concerts, which fall under the touring umbrella. There are many other departments within an agency that I haven't even named, but basically, an agency has departments for anything an entertainment professional would strive to do.