Well the healthcare is incredible, which was really nice for me because I'm married with a kid. My wife's pregnancy was completely paid for, not even a copay. Entirely free, top-notch health care at UCLA medical center, vision, dental, etc. Also there are TONS of vacation days. From mid-December to early January the place just shuts down for over 2 weeks, and the time is paid. Every holiday weekend, if the holiday is on a Monday, they give everyone the preceding Friday off, or at least a half day. And they recognize a ton of holidays. In the summer, everyone is done at 1pm on Fridays. When you leave the company, they give you all the time off you didn't use (sick and vacation days, and there are a lot of them) in a lump sum.

They also screen current movies for free in their screening room all the time, which is cool. They pay for lunch for everyone every Friday. The Christmas Party and assistant parties are really nice and completely free. 2 days a year, they pay for you to do charity work at a place of your choice.

I think almost all of this stuff is the result of Patrick Whitesell, the co-CEO, being an absolutely amazing guy. Can't say enough good stuff about him as an agent and person.

Also, they really work to help people get good jobs. This is partial self-interest because it's better for them to have relationships, but it's still a benefit.

Can you go more into the being bunt out from the job? IM guessing going in you knew it would be a soul crushing environment so you must be the type that doesnt burn out quickly or Id at least assume so. I just know that I wouldnt be able to make it in a job like that so I wouldnt try but going in for 2 years and deciding to leave must be a big decision givin the time you put in.

What are your future plans/hopes to find a new job? What kind of job ect.?

BTW this is a very interesting thread especially with Entourage just ending and many OOTers having at least a made for HBO look at that world with Ari Gold's viewpoint. I just wish I had more questions for you.

Casting couch does not exist, at least not for studio movies and legit indies. These films have casting directors, who are it seems exclusively obese, rude women or gay men. Now when a legit director's hot ****buddy is 'getting into acting,' they can land a minor role, but that's as far as it goes.

I am not friends with any celebrities though if that's your thing it's very easy to accomplish. Also, some people use the job to then become assistants to celebrities, a job that can be either horrid or incredible depending on the celeb. Pay for that gig is generally good, like up to $150k, but you are on call 24/7. The wilder celebs routinely have their personal assistants handling drugs, accompanying them on benders, etc., but that often doesn't last because in today's corporate Hollywood there seems to be little tolerance for such stuff.

Any stories about Brendan Fraser, Ashley Judd, or John Cusack acting crazy?

+1, especially Fraser and Cusack since I like some of their work a lot.



Also just something that been floating in my head. You know anyone you work with or socialize with that hooked up with any celebs/semi-celebs that you can talk about?

Ashley Judd is just crazy. Stuff like saying 'I want to be e-mailed about absolutely everything going on, I need to be in the loop' then 2 hours later saying 'I can't believe I'm getting so many e-mails, this is really stressing me out, please do not e-mail me for 2 days as I will be focusing on self-care.' Letters that would make Oski blush about the inadequacy of her driver or makeup person or whatever. Just a super-entitled whackjob.

Cusack ditto. Like he'd call his agent, she'd be in a meeting, the assistant would be like 'she's in a meeting.' Immediately with the yelling, 'WHEN IS SHE GETTING OUT THIS IS AN EMERGENCY.' Now you never tell anyone anything about your boss other than 'in a meeting,' so the assistant just says 'I don't know, I'll have her call you.' 'THEN TRANSFER ME TO ARI, JESUS CHRIST!' Ari doesn't even work for this guy, Cusack just knows he owns the agency. Anyway, rinse, repeat that every 2 minutes until he actually gets the agent on the phone. And it's for nonsense like 'page 78 of this script you sent me didn't print right and I can't read 2 of my lines.'

Fraser is just an unstable guy.

It's nice to see that law degree really being put to work.

Do many actors show up for meetings blatantly stoned?

u know u miss it

No. Basically never. They just 'reschedule.'

Ever get any input into a script or casting?

Did you work in the mailroom?

Yep. What a joke.

Ever see anyone stand up to their boss? Other similar dramabombs?

Sounds like an interesting job. I'd encourage you to post more specific anecdotes.

Details on the person who vouched for you and how they might have came to believe you were vouchforable?

Great thread!