Making It in the Entertainment Industry

By: Jordan Stover

ATHENS—“How do you make it in the entertainment industry? Somehow,” said Hollywood agent Norman Aladjem in a speech on Thursday.

In his lecture, Aladjem told students that there is no one path to get into the entertainment industry. He advised students to find some way into the industry even if it means that they have to work in a mail room or get coffee all day.

“Somebody’s assistant will be their production partner the next day,” Aladjem said. “You strike bonds.”

Aladjem also suggested that students look to agencies to get their start because they are the hub of the entertainment industry. He told students that even if they are just someone’s assistant they will learn a lot and meet a lot of people from all parts of the industry.

“If you’re willing to work hard, subordinate your ego to learn, you can do it,” Aladjem said.

Aladjem said that there is no one formula to get into the entertainment industry.

“The real formula is there is no formula,” Aladjem said.

Norman Aladjem’s career has been proof of this as he has been successful in many different careers. He attributes that success largely to hard work.

“The reality is that if you’re willing to have a commitment to excellence and have a good work ethic, you’ll succeed,” Aladjem said. “If you do the process right, the result is inevitable.”

Aladjem stressed that demonstrating hard work and enthusiasm is the best way to get a job in the entertainment industry. When he is hiring assistants, he tells them that their days will be spent primarily getting his coffee. In reality, Aladjem hardly ever has his assistant get his coffee. He just wants to get a sense that the person is willing to do whatever it takes to make it.

Aladjem told students that another important part of getting a job in show business is to do their homework and learn about the industry.

“With the Internet, knowing nothing is criminal,” Aladjem said. “You don’t even have to go to the library, just type in Google.com.”

Aladjem also advised students that the entertainment industry is a meritocracy. According to him it does not matter whether you go to law school at Harvard or the University of Georgia.

“If you have the goods you’re in,” Aladjem said. “If you don’t, you’re not.”

Aladjem encouraged students by telling them that making it in the entertainment industry is not impossible.

“It is brutally, brutally hard but it happens every day,” he said.

Aladjem warned students that they will get a lot of rejection, but told them that most of the time it is not personal.

“Be resourceful, you can’t take no for an answer,” he said. “Know that the rejection you’ll get every day has nothing to do with you.”

He also told the students not to be discouraged by reality.

“Let reality be you springboard, not your anchor,” Aladjem said. “If you have a dysfunctional family, write a script about it.”

Russ Vann, a Grady student in the audience, found Aladjem’s encouraging words helpful.

“I’m a telecomm major and I thought his speech was helpful,” said Vann. “After hearing him speak I want to be an agent so that I can be involved in all aspects of the entertainment industry.”