Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Film Assistants

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Expert: - 7/29/2004


Question
Hello Mr. Nemy:

I promise this is my absolute last question.

I just read a post on the internet that said that it is almost impossible to get an Assistant Job if a person has no agency experience.

I did assist a producer for about 8 months.  I was his Marketing Consultant for products he was trying to market.  Does this count?  He is an independent, but has made over a dozen movies, and owns his own production company.  He is based in Miami, Florida, but does have an office address in the Los Angeles area.

Thanks a million.  

Answer
Angie,

Don't worry! The experience you've had will DEFINITELY help you. Make sure you write about this experience in your cover letter. And make sure that this producer will give you a good recommendation if someone calls on his behalf.

In fact, find out if he knows any agents at the agencies who are seeking assistants and have HIM make a call on your behalf. That will give you an upper edge over the rest of the people applying for the jobs.

Good luck!

Phil

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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Phil Nemy

Expertise

I am a motion picture and television producer with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. I am also the author of the book GET A REEL JOB: Finding Your First Job In The Motion Picture Industry In Los Angeles. I can answers questions on a variety of subjects about careers in film from acting to directing to crew work, getting into the unions, successful strategies for networking, etc.

Experience

Former VP, Production for The Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group Supervised production on such films as ARMAGEDDON, THE PRINCESS DIARIES, REMEMBER THE TITANS, PEARL HARBOR, CON AIR, ENEMY OF THE STATE, THE ROCK, CRIMSON TIDE, COYOTE UGLY, A CIVIL ACTION, ROMY & MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, NOTHING TO LOSE, EDDIE and others. Worked as an actor, stage manager, director on broadway and regional theater as well as L.A.' Equity-waiver scene. Former Associate Artistic Director of Los Angeles Equity-Waiver theater.

Organizations
Director's Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, Actor's Equity Association

Education/Credentials
BFA in Acting/Directing from Carnegie Mellon University.

Past/Present Clients
I've worked with such filmmakers as Jerry Bruckheimer, Tony Scott, Steve Zaillian, Scott Rudin, Garry Marshall, Frank Marshall, Michael Bay, etc.

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