AGENT TRAINING PROGRAM
The William Morris Agency seeks motivated women and men who are passionate and knowledgeable about the industry and determined to become the finest talent and literary agents in the world. Successful agents have an entrepreneurial spirit, extensive agency experience and deep industry connections. At the William Morris Agency we cultivate new agents through our Agent Training program, recognized as best-in-class in the entertainment business.
Established over 60 years ago, the William Morris Agency Agent Training Program continues to produce the finest talent and literary agents in the entertainment industry. Those who complete the program and become William Morris agents represent the leading actors, writers, producers, directors, authors, performers and creative talent in the world and work at the epicenter of the entertainment industry.
Applicants to the program, which can take anywhere from two to five years to complete, must have fulfilled their undergraduate studies and earned a four-year degree from an accredited college or university. While many applicants are in the process of completing their final semester of college, some have been in the workplace for a number of years; others have earned law, business and other graduate degrees before applying to the program.
Trainees start in the mailroom where they generally spend four to six months sorting, routing and delivering mail, manuscripts, packages and internal documents. While performing their duties, trainees are given the opportunity and are encouraged to learn as much as possible about the Agency’s various businesses, including reading manuscripts and providing “coverage” (written analysis of each manuscript) to agents who request it, and rotating to other support positions throughout the company.
The trainee’s next step is to become a floater – a trainee who acts as assistant to agents in many departments, from WMA’s various offices, on a temporary basis, learning the skills required to be an effective assistant at the agency.
When full-time assistant positions become available, trainee floaters are eligible to interview. If selected for an agent’s assistant position, trainees work one-on-one with that agent on a regular, ongoing basis. Trainees are expected to work for more than one agent to be eligible for promotion.
The trainee assistant works closely with his or her agent, usually for at least a year, performing all the support functions in that agent’s office. This includes tasks that range from basic clerical duties to direct and extensive contact with studios, networks, production executives, managers, promoters, clients and other buyers and industry contacts. During this period, the trainee assistant also develops contacts within the entertainment industry, learns the art of negotiating deals and assists the agent in identifying potential clients and projects.
In addition to their other duties, trainees at all levels are expected to attend William Morris-organized seminars which take place regularly in WMA’s offices and are specifically designed to inform trainees of significant entertainment industry-related issues. Sometimes conducted by WMA agents, these seminars afford trainees an opportunity to ask questions and get to know the speakers in a more intimate and relaxed setting than the work environment generally permits.
We’re proud of our trainees and of their success in the finest training program of its kind in the world.
To be considered for placement in our program, you must meet the following criteria:
- All applicants must have earned a four-year degree from an accredited university
- Successful trainee applicants have an informed commitment to the entertainment industry and previous experience in the field (paid or unpaid)
- Ideal candidates have exceptional written, verbal and interpersonal skills and work well under pressure
- All applicants must be computer literate and proficient with mainstream information technologies