Had a random thought and was wondering what do you guys think is an easier thing to do.
Breaking into Wallstreet or Finance in general at any capacity or Hollywood specifically in regards to the whole agency thing.
Every time I watch entourage I always think about how badass ari's job is and wonder maybe i'm barking up the wrong tree lol
So back to my original question which industry is easier to break into gents!
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Do you mean on the talent management/agent aspect of show bizz or the talent (acting/singing) side of show bizz? This is an important distinction. I assume you mean is it tougher to be an agent in Hollywood or a Banker/Trader... in answer to this I would probably say tougher to get into the entertainment industry because there are so many more banks (think about all the various regions besides just NYC) than there are top tier talent agencies... I think E even says something like "It's almost impossible to make it out here... even the Mail guys have Wharton MBAs" in an episode of Entourage. That's just my thought, but I feel it's a lot harder because it's more of a connection (read: nepotism) based industry, whereas finance tends to be more meritocratic (though nepotism plays its part here too)...
My bad on not being more specific and yea I was referring to the talent management/agency aspect of show biz in comparison to ibanking and trading
But that def makes a lot of sense since theres only a handful of goood agencies in one spot
That's accurate -- unless you have connections up the wazoo, you need a top flight degree (UG or MBA) and you're starting in the mailroom.
I have friends who are trying to make it out in Hollywood right now and they are happy to pay the rent at the end of the month. Connections in Hollywood are everything and most people who are driven to succeed will do some strange things just to get ahead.
Agreed. You'll see everyone in hollywood go to a ton of networking events, just to meet people and keep in touch. My cousin's an agent at one of the top firms out there but she definitely started in the mailroom / as an assistant / etc. and worked her way up. That being said, it' s still super difficult even as you become more senior. For the bigger name stars (if you're a talent agent), they usually have one senior guy managing the star, with a team of 5 or 6 less senior guys providing support. In a banking sense, I'd think of it like one MD with a team of SVPs working together.
Why don't you start in media banking in LA, then work your way into Hollywood? If you get up to Associate or VP, then I'm sure you'll be able to have some connections + credibility when you try to break in, right?
Hollywood Boulevard or Wall Street (Originally Posted: 10/10/2007)
Which claims more victims, dashes more hopes, and ruins more dreams?
Is the analogy of the entertainment biz and finance even appropriate?
Definitely Hollywood.
Much lower success rate, fewer rewards for mediocrity.
Hollywood. Atleast if you dont make it onto Wall Street there are hundreds of other well paying jobs in finance/business. Hollywood, your fall back is porno. If youre really bad, just a fluffer on a porn set. Nothing glamorous about that. Oh yeah, and horrible sitcoms or reality TV.
"Hollywood, your fall back is porno. If youre really bad, just a fluffer on a porn set."
Hahahaa. Two thumbs up for that response.
I don't know why, but the fluffer comment had me laughing for like 5 min straight. Post of the day.
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