When it comes to making your way in Hollywood, it is virtually impossible to not come into contact with any of the above mentioned organizations, and it is similiarly difficult to make it without being actively involved with at least one of the trio. What follows is a listing (as complete as I can make it, which unfortunately is not very complete at all) of the three types of organizations, where you can find them on the web, and a quick description of what they do.
Agencies:
The creative forces of Hollywood, i.e. directors, writers, and actors, are always making deals with each other and the corporate forces of Hollywood. For this reason they always take care that they are represented. The source of such representation lies in the industries agencies and law firms. In addition to being extremely well-versed in the legalities of Hollywood deal-making, these agents also can carry a degree of respect (either from the merit of the agency through whcih they work or through their own endeavor) that can create opportunites for talent that are closed to non-represented individuals. Thus agents are an extremely valuable part to industry success.
And so, as you might have guessed we have yet another list for you, this time of the major agencies in Hollywood.
Artists Management Group
Creative Artists Agency
Endeavor
ICM
William Morris Agency
United Talent Agency
If you want a better list than this (because despite all the trouble compiling its still somewhat minimal) obtain a copy of the Writer’s Guild Signatory Agent List.
So now you’re in touch with an agency, got yourself an agent and you’re looking for a job eh? Well it wouldn’t hurt to get in touch with the appropriate Guild or Union. Each of the organizations promotes the interests of and the protects the rights of its members, just like any other. In addition to this, it is often necessary to become a member of these guilds to find work. Besides, it would be really cool to say you were part of a Guild, am I right?
Film Guilds and Unions:
American Cinema Editors
American Society of Cinematographers
Directors Guild of AmericaWriters Guild of America
Producers Guild of America
Screen Actor’s Guild
Society of Motion Picture and Television Art Directors
Story Analysts Division of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees - 854
Visual Effects Society
Studios:
Studios are the base unit in Hollywood. They provide the structure within which people can work together to create a film. At first glance that may seem to mean that without the backing of a Warner Brothers or a Paramount that you can’t make a film. This is not the case at all. In truth there are a number of different kinds of studios. Organizations such as Warner Brothers and Paramount are what can be called corporate studios, meaning they are owned by much larger entertainment corporations and they are mainly concerned with creating film products that will make the most amount of money possible. This kind of studio is the one that is responsible for making almost all of the pictures that get shown on cineplex movie screens nationwide. The second kind of studio is the indepedent studio. This kind of studio has a much less rigid organization and it isn’t out of the ordinary for a studio to be created and for a single film then disbanded upon completon. These studios are formed either by independent producers, directors, actors, or any combination thereof. The following list contains the major studios.
There are hundreds of studios that could’ve been listed here. These are only the major ones. If you need in-depth listings, consult the Pacific Coast Studio Directory and/or the Hollywood Reporter Bluebook.
