1. What does a typical Thursday look like for you, starting from when you wake up – to heading to bed?

The best thing about my job is that there is never a typical Thursday. I guess I could say that one constant is talking on the phone. All day. Whether it is to coordinate travel for clients who are working on films or television shows, pitching to casting directors and producers, discussing projects and schedules with actors, rolling calls with my boss, meeting with potential clients – all of it requires a headset fused to my ear at all times. Managers act as a liaison between an actor’s agent, publicist, attorney, mother, etc. so there is always a lot of coordinating going on and fires to put out. I usually leave the office at about 7:30pm, but the day isn’t over. In order to push my career forward it is necessary to cultivate relationships with all of the junior agents, managers, producers and executives who are rising up with me, so I often have drinks, dinner or a screening after work. I get home at around 9:30pm – 10:00pm (depending on how we get along) and read a script before bed.

2. What was your first job out of school?

My first job out of school was at a great commercial casting agency in Toronto . At the time I thought I wanted to be a casting director, but also knew that you could meet people from all parts of the industry through work as a casting assistant. There wasn’t really any training – it was sink or swim. Luckily I swam and ran casting sessions for about a year. I learned a ton and, though the pay was not ideal, the job gave me exposure to all of the top agents, actors and producers in town. Once I realized I did not want to be a casting director, the connections I had made led me to a job at a talent agency in Toronto before I moved to New York and then eventually to Los Angeles.

3. What are the 3 skills you require most to do your job well?

1. Networking – success in Hollywood is dependent upon your ability to cultivate and maintain relationships. In order to accomplish anything significant you have to be able to get the right people on the phone. 2. Thick skin – you are yelled at and patronized constantly for many years and there is unfortunately nothing you can do about it. 3. Tenacity – Attorneys, MBA’s and Ivy League graduates all have to start over in the mailroom or as an intern if they want a career in entertainment. It can take anywhere from 3 – 7 years to make it past an assistant and during that time you do not make a penny over $35,000.

4. What do you love most about your career?

I love that there is never a dull moment. Even when I absolutely hate my job I am never, ever bored. The pace and the negotiation process gives me an adrenaline rush that is addictive. Pursuing a career in management also gives me a lot of creative freedom and control over my own destiny as an entrepreneur. I decide who I sign and eventually how I manage all of my own clients. I also love being a part of the big picture of filmmaking. The amount of work, drama and politics involved makes your head spin and it is fascinating on many levels.

5. If a woman wanted to get into this business, what are your recommendations of how they should start?

I think the best way to start in the entertainment industry is in the mailroom or as an intern, agent assistant or production assistant. Though the jobs are often very stressful and demeaning, it is the only way to learn. My first job in the business once I moved to New York was as an intern for a great talent manager whose clients included Paul Giamatti and Hope Davis. I absolutely loved it and it led me to my first paying job at a talent agency. The competition is intense so it is helpful to have a connection. Even if it is your hairdresser’s mother’s dog walker’s father – use it.

6. Do you have any warnings?

If you do not have a super human desire to be an agent, manager, producer, publicist, studio executive, actor, director, writer or any other film/tv related position DO NOT get into this business. Though you may fancy US Magazine and the E! Channel, life on the other side of the camera is rarely glamorous. “Making it” requires a tremendous amount of work for no pay. Knowing exactly what you want to do is imperative, otherwise you will move around laterally for years and not really achieve anything. This is very common and people leave the business on a regular basis discouraged and miserable.

7. If you could try a different career on for a year, what would it be?

My dream was to be a dancer on Broadway so I would probably say that I would like to be Anne Reinking during the Bob Fosse years. Cheesy!