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Breaking Into Hollywood without Connections | Inside the Industry with James Swoope · NAACP+ Inside The Industry

• 0:00
  Speaker A: I don't know anybody who has a direct path to management. The goal is to make a person feel confident. I always kind of go into things that, like, move the needle sometimes when move the needle isn't always sexy. Create the leverage that make people want to lean in. I tell people this now, like, who's in the industry? You can't forget what made you pick up that camera. You can't forget what made you want to act.
• 0:26
  Speaker B: On today's episode of Inside the Industry, you'll hear from one of Hollywood's top talent managers, James Hoot. Join us as he breaks down how talent is discovered, how he identifies the right opportunities for his clients, and what it takes to build a lasting career in one of the most competitive industries. I'm your host, Arianna Drummond. Welcome to Inside the Industry.
• 0:54
  Speaker C: So you're a talent manager to the stars, a true unicorn in this industry. And you've had front row seats learning from mackerel's finest, Charles King. So I, I. Look, look, look. I have to ask you a serious question. How do I get like you when I grow up?
• 1:08
  Speaker A: You shouldn't want to be like me. I think you should want to be, you know, who you are. Because we all took this journey, you know what I'm saying? And we was dreamers and we decided to actually put faith and motion into what we do. So we all here doing dope.
• 1:29
  Speaker C: Amen. I receive that. I receive that. But seriously, you've worked with some of the greats. Dominique Thorne, Mack Barnes, Coco Jones, just to name a few. How do you decide what clients you want to work with and then also what projects that you think might be a good fit for them?
• 1:46
  Speaker A: That's interesting. That's an interesting question. Because it all comes from so many different angles, right? Like Matt Barnes for Existence. Like, I mean, for example, like, I wasn't even, you know, that wasn't even in my mindset at the time. And my homie Nick May hit me and was like, yo, you know Matt. I was like, of course I know Matt. You know what I'm saying? Like, and Matt Barnes. And, and you know, he, he was telling me, you know, like, you know, what Matt do and what he got coming up and, and how can lean in? And I was sitting there like, I never thought about that. Like, I really would be a good fit for him. And it's been love, you know, since then. Like, I like working with him. Um, but that was somebody, you know, who suggested some, someone and, and I really wasn't thinking about it. Um, so he Put the battery in my back for that. Someone like Dom is like, you know, we were friends first, you know, it was. We met on the set of Judas and the Black Messiah, and we developed a really cool relationship. And management wasn't even in the cards, you know, when we met. So when I finally got into the management game, it just made sense, you know? Cause I really felt like, you know, I can really help her and she can help me, you know. And, you know, it's like the same with, like, Coco. I was super excited about her when she was brought up in the room. And one of my mentors, Jerome Martin, was like, you know, I think you'll be a good fit for her, you know, and he was right. So it's really about, you know, just having that gut feeling and knowing what, you know, having a idea and a direction and a vision that you can lock in with this person. So that's kind of how I find it. Then, you know, obviously I watch TV or watch the Internet or something and be like, oh, this person is cool. But, like, I'm just really one of them. People who just, you know, I don't really. I don't really. I'm not as shark with it as a lot of other people, you know what I'm saying? I let it either come to me, or it's just a feeling.
• 4:04
  Speaker C: Yeah, I feel like one thing I really appreciated about you just working with you over the years is you've been really laxed and just easy to work with. So that's always gotta be, man.
• 4:14
  Speaker A: Cause I meet some of my peers in this game, and, you know, everybody play that game. You know what I'm saying? You got people who like the showmanship, the people who dunk, you know, the people, like, I like to be Jordan with it. You know what I'm saying?
• 4:25
  Speaker B: Smooth.
• 4:26
  Speaker A: You're real smooth. Yeah, yeah, for sure, for sure, for sure.
• 4:29
  Speaker C: I love that.
• 4:30
  Speaker A: Oh, smooth. Smooth. That's a shirt. And then when it comes to, like, picking projects and things, it's like, you know, obviously everyone has an agent for the most part. And, you know, or, you know, I have my own relationships, and it's just about. After talking to somebody, you know, after talking to, like, a producer or casting or some stuff that you'll see, like, coming down a pipeline or some stuff that you just go out there, you just kind of realize, like, this person fits this bag, or this person needs this job, or this person would benefit from it. So I always kind of go into things that move the needle sometimes. What move the Needle isn't always sexy and that's fine. Trying to convince certain people that that's what it is is one thing, but it's all about moving the needle. You know, as long as they can get something out of it outside of a check.
• 5:25
  Speaker C: Yeah, 100%. So I've heard a lot about your startup macro, but for the people watching, like, did you always want to be a manager? Like, what was the moment that you realized that, hey, I could do this? This was for me.
• 5:38
  Speaker A: When Charles told me I wasn't good at his death because I didn't come into Hollywood with managing even on my mind. I was blessed to get the job. And, you know, Charles moved me from Cleveland to la and I was on his desk, shout out to Karen, she was, you know, showing me the ropes. But it was just things like that I just wasn't good at speed wise for the most part. And it was very little creativity on his desk. Like he's the CEO, so like I'm thinking like, oh, we about to make movies. You know what I'm saying?
• 6:22
  Speaker C: This is it.
• 6:23
  Speaker A: Yeah. And it was like, oh, wait, that's. It's a lot before you get to that. It's the business of it. And it wasn't as it wasn't fulfilling. So with that, I don't think naturally I was giving what I needed to give, you know what I'm saying? And it's not because I wasn't trying. It was just like, it wasn't in the cards.
• 6:48
  Speaker C: Yeah.
• 6:49
  Speaker A: And one day, you know, he called me and was like, you know, and this is why I really respect this man. It's like he was like, you know, you're not that good at this.
• 6:59
  Speaker C: You're fired.
• 7:00
  Speaker A: You know, I thought that's what he was gonna say because we were in the middle of the pandemic and, you know, for every reason to let somebody go, he had it, but he didn't. He was like, I wanna lean into your strengths. And he was like, your strengths are people. And I was like, oh, it is. And he was like, you ever thought about management? And it wasn't no M88, it was just macro management. And I was like, kind of did it long time ago. Had an artist that I worked with shout out to Java shot. And it was just one of them things where it was like, I don't really want to do it, especially in the music field. It's not my favorite thing to do. And I knew that if I didn't lean into it, I probably would be on the first Flight home. So my colleague Natalia, and hit me up one day and was like, hey, aren't you good at decks? And I was like, sure. You know? And she introduced me to one of her clients. His name is Blitz. And me, Blitz, Natalia and Gabby really helped hammer out the deck for the Color Purple. And I remember when he actually got the Color Purple, he had called me and thanked me personally. And I just heard the excitement in his voice. And I remember being like, oh, man, is this what management is? Helping people feel good? And I remember them being like, it's a little more nuanced than that. But, yeah, pretty much. And I was like, I'm in. And that's when I remember trying to get on Gabby's desk. And Gabby told me, like, no, bro, you no. You know, I'm trying to find his desk again. And he was just like, no, you just need to be, you know, put in a situation where you can fly. And I don't think being on my desk is that particular thing. And shout out to everybody, really just trying to figure me out, which I. Which I was really, like, to this day, like, I'm super grateful for my team. Then I ended up on the desk of Arande Garrett. And he was more like me. It was more, you know, unorthodox. You know, wasn't wearing a suit. It wasn't like, as. Not professional. That's not the right word to use, because it was professional, but it wasn't the professional that the industry standard was. And that made that kind of pulled my guard down a little bit and. Yeah, and being on that desk and having those type of relationships that I was getting with other peers who also wanted to do, you know, be in this industry that wasn't quite buttoned up, per se. It motivated me. So. Yeah.
• 9:58
  Speaker C: And also, just to hear you talk about, like, to have that in you, for him to be able to see that and not necessarily take a chance on you, but to believe in you that much, to be like, hey, look, I'm gonna stick with you. Cause you hear about all these stories. I think I was listening to something recently with Ryan Coogler and his assist, and he thought he was gonna get fired for leaving something behind. And it was like, no, like, I believe in your work. I wanna uplift you. And to have people in your life, like, that is just amazing.
• 10:25
  Speaker A: You know, it's crazy, like, because I meant I've been friends with Ryan since Judas. And to know the pipeline is to know Charles, like Charles King has really is the instrument to a lot of Black Hollywood, honestly. And a lot of people, I call us kids, you know, I don't know if you like that, but, like, we're kids of Charles King, you know? And because of that, I think that's the one thing that we all have in common, you know? Like, when I first met Ryan, I was like, yo, this guy is like, me. Like, I see myself in him. Like, he was just so nice and kind of, but, like, had a vision that was insane and was talking to everybody and treated everybody well. And I was just like, wow, like, this is dope. And when you understand the pipeline, he's not because Charles is like that, you start to see, like, who he matched with and the people who come from that ilk is just like that. So, you know, I think you're talking about Amar, like, that's my guy. And, like, he's one of the coolest guys ever, and I know that he's gonna be great. And at the time when we was doing Judas, Ryan's assistant was dlo. And that's one of my good friends now, and that's somebody else who had an unorthodox story and things like that. So, you know, when you cross path with these people and you just like, they about to let us in Hollywood or they done messed up, like, you know what I'm saying? We finally arrived. So it's just like, man, yeah, that's just who he is. He identifies those kind of people. And you gotta remember he was an agent, you know what I'm saying? And he has identified some of the best talent in the world. So he does that with his employees, and he does that with people he care about.
• 12:29
  Speaker C: I love that. I love that. So you talked a lot about. About your journey. What do you think is the hardest part about breaking into this industry that people don't talk about?
• 12:38
  Speaker A: Mm. The hardest part about breaking into this industry that people don't talk about. Oof. Um. What is the hardest part? I would say just keeping. Just keep going.
• 12:53
  Speaker C: Yeah.
• 12:53
  Speaker A: Like. Like, it's so many things that can, like, derail you or, like, discourage you, you know, it's so many things that don't work out the way you think it should work out. I always tell people I think you should always remember the how don't matter. Because if you stuck on how something should happen and that's. And that's what you stuck on, it's probably not going to work out for you. You know what I'm saying? Because usually it's not going to go exactly how you think it's going to go, but that don't mean it's not going to go, you know, So I think people just got to. I think the hardest part is staying the course.
• 13:30
  Speaker C: Yeah, yeah. So I think a lot of people right now are talking about imposter syndrome. Have you ever felt at a place, and if so, like, how did you navigate that?
• 13:40
  Speaker A: You know what's crazy? I didn't really feel that way until I got into my first boardroom. I've always felt like I was belonging, which is why I had to remember who the hell I was.
• 13:51
  Speaker C: You know what I'm saying?
• 13:52
  Speaker A: But I remember my first day at macro, they had a staff meeting, and during that staff meeting, I was just so, like, what the hell are they talking about? Like, all these terms and stuff. To me, that was just like, you know, I ain't gonna say common sense, but in my mind, I'm sitting there like, no, all you gotta do is. But knowing that there's a business behind this. So why they being strategic was very interesting. And I remember, you know, asking questions in the middle of the meeting and people like, who is this guy? Like, why is he. You know? And I remember I got pulled aside and it was just like, are you serious? Yeah, yeah, yeah. And like, I said, shout out to Karen. You know, like, she is. She really helped shape me. She whipped me into shape. Like, that's the best way to say it. But she was like, you know, like, it's okay to have these questions, but, you know, like, ask them after the meeting. You know, like, come to me.
• 14:50
  Speaker C: We can.
• 14:50
  Speaker A: Da, da, da. And I was just like, oh, my bad. You know, prolonging the meeting. Cause I don't know. Right? So. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
• 14:56
  Speaker C: When you don't know what you don't know.
• 14:57
  Speaker A: Yeah, exactly. So that was the first time where I was just like, oh, am I supposed to be here? You know what I'm saying? But I didn't let that stop me. I'm not really an imposter syndrome type of guy, especially when I remember who I am. Cause at the end of the day, I feel like the people I meet are the prize, but so AM I. Yeah, 100%.
• 15:20
  Speaker C: So with this series inside the industry, we really want to be a resource for folks. So for someone listening right now, who wants to be a manager, what is the first step that you think they should take?
• 15:33
  Speaker A: Wow, that's an interesting question. Because I don't know anybody who has a direct path to management. Right. It's very interesting. You have people who met their friend Put them on. They kind of came up together. You have people who used to be agents who decided to get into the management world. You got people like me who was. Who was offered, like. I mean, who was told, like, maybe you should think about this. You think about that this way. So that's interesting. I don't know. I think it's an interesting question. There's no way. Just have a point of view, you know, Have a point of view, know what you're talking about and what you don't know, you know, Know somebody who do know.
• 16:23
  Speaker C: Okay.
• 16:24
  Speaker A: And. And just pieces together. That's an interesting question. Because I don't know if there's a school of management, you know, There should be.
• 16:34
  Speaker C: Look, maybe capitalize on that, okay?
• 16:37
  Speaker A: I ain't got time. I'm just playing. But, yeah, I just think you lean in, you know, maybe if you see an opportunity to help somebody, you know, start connecting the dots with them and eventually they'll see your worth and they might bring you in. That's the best way I can say.
• 16:58
  Speaker C: I've heard you say this phrase in previous interviews, but what does having something to manage really mean?
• 17:06
  Speaker A: Having something to manage. Like, it means having something, right? There's different levels to it, right? Like, there's managers who don't feel like development, which is fine. There's managers who, you know, want a little more girth, you know what I'm saying, to uplift. There's managers who just want to sit around and receive income and then don't hustle. So it's really just about. And there's nothing wrong with any of that, you know, that's just who you are, so. Or that's the way you play your game. But it's kind of like, you know, have something that people can grow. That's what it means. And a lot of times people don't have something to grow. They just want you to do all the work. And it's like, that's true. No, it's like, this ain't what that is, you know, so that's what I mean by having something to manage. Like, have something, you know, and that something might not fit that particular manager, but that's fine, you know, Stack the debt.
• 18:15
  Speaker C: That's true. So a lot of people watching may not even know what a manager or what a role a manager is. So give us your definition of what you think a manager does.
• 18:26
  Speaker A: Like I said, everybody played different games, you know, for me, you know, a lot of my talent has had the agent, right? And, you know, the agent, you Know, go out and they bring the jobs, you know, and the way that I was trained is I. I bring jobs too, you know, So I think management as a whole has kind of changed, especially with agents. A lot of agents becoming managers, you know, they don't have a managerial mindset. There are a lot. A lot of them is still agents at heart. And that can be. You know, that can. That can work for them or that can also kind of mess them up too. But for me, it's about understanding my client and knowing that I can go out there and sell water to a well, but understanding their needs. And then when they get the job, the agent go off and continue to go figure out how to capitalize off that job. And I'm in the middle, making sure I'm managing that particular project and making sure they're good, but also going back to the agent being like, oh, I feel like we can do this and do that, because I'm kind of closer to it in a sense. So for me, it's just capitalizing off of what we're doing. And also, a lot of management is therapy. A lot of management is making sure the person remember who they are. Because this is a fickle industry, especially. I entered the industry in the middle of a pandemic. Well, not entered the industry. I entered management in the middle of a pandemic. Two strikes, the war. It's like, it's all type of stuff going on. It's just like, oh, my God. And it's rough for a lot of people, and it's rough for them when they mental. So my job is to also, you know, figure out different ways of continued success with them. So, yeah, that's. That's what we should do.
• 20:36
  Speaker C: I love it. I love it. You talked a lot about. About talent needs. What are. What are some of the biggest misconceptions talent has about what managers should do for them?
• 20:48
  Speaker A: That's a crazy story. No names, no, just. That's the interesting question, because again, it all goes back to people manage different. And I think the best way to keep that misconception from happening is laying a foundation. When you work with somebody out the gate, you know, letting them know, like, this is what I can do. This is what I'm gonna attempt to do. What I can't do, I will put the pieces around you to do. Yeah, a manager should. And when you first get in it, right, like, you feel like Superman, you know, and as you grow, you feel like. I mean, you start realizing what you can tolerate, you know, you start realizing you know, that I'm not gonna work well with this person. You know, I'm not a big hand holder. Like, I don't like handholding things. I don't like having meetings, you know, weekly just to have meetings. Like, what are we meeting about? You know, Like, I'm not a big person who, like, you don't know how to get through the airport.
• 22:03
  Speaker C: Okay.
• 22:03
  Speaker A: You know what I'm saying? Like, that's a problem to me, you know?
• 22:05
  Speaker C: So that's what an assistant is for.
• 22:07
  Speaker A: Okay. Yeah. I mean, but that's also, like, you should know how to get through the airport, you know what I'm saying?
• 22:11
  Speaker C: Before he's not famous.
• 22:12
  Speaker A: Okay? Yeah, exactly, exactly. So I think the misconception comes from people probably telling a talent, like, I'm here for everything. You see what I'm saying? Then when you're not, it gets a little muddy like the monkey. Yeah, yeah.
• 22:33
  Speaker B: What do I do?
• 22:34
  Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I'm not sure if it's like a misconception thing. I think it's just more of a. It's a relationship, you know? So if you're not honest out the gate, it can get a little murky.
• 22:49
  Speaker C: Preach. Preach, brother. So what's one mistake that you find aspiring managers make over and over again?
• 22:58
  Speaker A: Not being honest. I've saw that so many times. Like, not being honest and. Cause again, like, it's like kids. And I'm not saying telling it's kids, but like, when. I mean by kid, it's like parenting when you make a bunch of. When you like, the goal is to make a person feel confident. Right. With or without you, you know? And a lot of them just enable they talent. And I'm not like that. I'm very honest. I'm very real. Now, don't get me wrong, when I first got into it, I was nervous, to say the truth. Not saying I was lying, but I was like, I can't say that to them because they might fire me. Like, nah, I don't give a. I heard that. It's like, yo, this ain't it. But you realize that's what they want.
• 24:00
  Speaker C: Yeah. I was gonna say I feel like they respect it more.
• 24:03
  Speaker A: Yeah, about 75%. Yeah, I love that. Yeah, yeah. Respected. Now, if they don't have that around them and you the only one keeping it real with them, that's.
• 24:13
  Speaker C: They gonna be like, you gotta go,
• 24:15
  Speaker A: yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's another thing. But also, you know, that's fine too, you know what I'm saying? Like, I've Learned to take my feelings out of it. Um, that's, that's the answer. Like, I feel like we have a lot of feelings when we get into it, you know, you gotta remember, like, we don't go home with these people, you know what I'm saying? Like, like I love them, I wanna see them do good. And I'm gonna lean in hard as hell, but at the same time, like, they can wake up and not wanna mess with me no more, you know, at the same time, you know, so it's kinda like don't feel bad for giving people the truth and then don't feel bad when they give you the truth.
• 24:52
  Speaker C: Yeah.
• 24:53
  Speaker A: You know what I'm saying? Or their truth, whether you agree or not. So that's. I think people just need to. I'm gonna say man up, but you know, toughen up and be honest.
• 25:07
  Speaker C: Say with your chest.
• 25:08
  Speaker A: Exactly. Say it with your chest and be fine with the results.
• 25:11
  Speaker C: Amen. Amen. Amen. So what's been maybe one of the hardest lessons you've had to learn in this industry?
• 25:20
  Speaker A: Hmm? Everybody not rooting for you.
• 25:25
  Speaker C: Say that again. Wait, say it for the people in the back.
• 25:28
  Speaker A: Everybody's not rooting for you. And that's fine. You know, you didn't get into this industry for everybody to root for you. It's great when it happens. But also a lot of times those same people that are, you know, with the same mouth that they praise you with, you know, they'll tear you down. So, you know, it's just do things your way. Like, that's one thing I can always, you know, I love Charles for, is if you look at any of the Charles King kids, we do things our way, but also continue to evolve and have at least the knowledge to stay on the right path, you know, and, and when we bump our heads and when we fall, you know, we don't beat ourself up too much about it, you know, we feel and we keep it moving. Yeah.
• 26:21
  Speaker C: So in this day and age, I feel like we talk a lot about like the importance of mental health. How do you deal with burnout? What does that look like in your role? And how do you manage it?
• 26:32
  Speaker A: Boy, it's a lot of burnout. Family.
• 26:37
  Speaker C: Yeah.
• 26:43
  Speaker A: Learning how to dialogue through things. Shout out to one of my partners, Jackson, he introduced dialogue to me. So learning how to. Learning how to have conversation without over talking each other or without, you know, coming at it from accusatory, you know what I'm saying? Way and more. So this is how he made me feel. It didn't make me feel good and feeling heard and mirroring that back to somebody, you know what I'm saying? And you realize when you start having conversations like that, you actually get through it and diffuse it. So that helps mental health as well now. I mean, I'm from the hood, you know, that wasn't even the thought, you know what I'm saying? It was very rah, rah, rah. And just over the years, I have really came to understand that there's ways to be better, you know, so that helps with my mental health, for sure.
• 28:04
  Speaker C: I love that.
• 28:05
  Speaker A: Yeah, yeah.
• 28:06
  Speaker C: That's beautiful.
• 28:06
  Speaker A: Understanding and dialoging is better. It's just huge on the mental health, communication is key. Yeah. Because the power struggle is real. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And when you're dealing with. When you're dealing with people who also come from a world that you come from or didn't have the best household or, you know, like, you have to have grace, you know? You know, you gotta have grace, and they have to have grace with you, you know, and forgiveness and just, you know, move on, you know. But a lot of us weren't taught that way, you know, so it's hard to adapt that. And I just. I just took the initiative to really adapt it. I'm not perfect, but, you know, I'm. I'm getting there.
• 28:56
  Speaker C: I love that. Yeah. Grace is my word for 2026. I was like, just have grace with me. Let me allow. Let me have grace with others. So hard. Yeah.
• 29:05
  Speaker A: Like, it's so much going on at a time. Then you, you know, you got the people who, who you're. Who you're working with. You got the people, you got family. You got life. Boy, do you got life.
• 29:19
  Speaker C: Life is life.
• 29:20
  Speaker A: And, you know, and it's happening for everybody in the space, you know, so it's interesting. It is a talent. Like, this ain't for everybody. Yeah. For real, representation is a talent. Yeah.
• 29:33
  Speaker C: 100%. 100%. So pivoting for a second, talking about the future, what should people be focusing on right now to stay competitive in today's industry?
• 29:43
  Speaker A: Competitive is an interesting word too. You just gotta. You just gotta go.
• 29:51
  Speaker C: Yep.
• 29:52
  Speaker A: Just gotta go and pay attention to the signs.
• 29:54
  Speaker C: Yeah.
• 29:54
  Speaker A: You know what I'm saying? Like, if you going too fast and, you know, you driving the speed limit, you might want to go a little faster. You know what I'm saying? Velocity is important in this space because everything is more rapid. But also playing your game, you know, just have a vision, grab the people who you believe who can execute it. And don't worry about nobody else. Like, everybody has their time for the most part. You know, when you keep going,
• 30:24
  Speaker C: and
• 30:24
  Speaker A: I think that's important. But again, you. And don't worry about support. Like, I see a lot of people complaining, oh, this person don't support me. Da, da, da, da. Like, so what? Like, a lot of the support gonna come from people that you don't even know anyway.
• 30:38
  Speaker C: Yeah.
• 30:39
  Speaker A: So, you know, like, don't worry about that. Just worry about the vision and executing it. Don't worry about this person getting his job over you. Or don't worry about, you know, you know, because as long as you left everything on the court, what is you complaining about? You know what I'm saying? Like, some people just have their nights. You know, you got. You know, LeBron probably have the most nights on any team, right? Until he played with somebody like Luka. You know what I'm saying? Now it's a Luca, you know, for the most part. Or, you know, Austin River's gonna have his. Gonna have his nights. And it's just about. It's about just staying at it. Cause I think we get so caught up in what other people doing. Because social media, I mean, you see it. So it's kind of hard not to. Right? It's kind of hard to say that. And then you go online and be like, I know I'm more talented than that person. Like, don't even think like that. Cause even thinking it like that is psyching yourself out because just because you think you're more talented than that person, I mean, you're the right person for that role. That's true. You know, so I just think, you know, get out of the mindset of there's friendly competition, there's competitive, and if somebody is at your throat, you make sure you cut they off too. However, play your game.
• 31:55
  Speaker C: Yeah. You know, what is for you is for you. I strongly believe that.
• 31:59
  Speaker A: Sure.
• 32:02
  Speaker C: Why you say that?
• 32:05
  Speaker A: I believe that. But it's also like, you gotta go get it too.
• 32:08
  Speaker C: Yeah. 100%.
• 32:09
  Speaker A: Yeah.
• 32:09
  Speaker C: Yeah. I mean, you gotta fight for it, but. Yeah. But if it was ordained for you.
• 32:12
  Speaker A: Amen to your point. Yes. As long as you left it on the table, you know, because even leaving it on the table, you've learned something from that. You really do.
• 32:21
  Speaker C: Yeah.
• 32:21
  Speaker A: Or you should. You gotta find the silver lining in everything.
• 32:24
  Speaker C: Yeah. So I know you talked about a little, or you talked a little bit about, like, just paying attention to trends. Are you ever looking for content creators that are like, Transitioning into the acting space.
• 32:35
  Speaker A: Yeah, I work with one now. Shout out to my boy, JP Jonathan Peter, man, he just made 30. Forbes 30 under 30.
• 32:42
  Speaker C: Okay?
• 32:43
  Speaker A: He's. He's good for your mental health. He's like the new America's Funniest Home Videos for the Internet. Um, but, you know, his passion for producing, his passion for, you know, owning his own brand, his passion for acting is there, you know, and you see that, you know, and you feel that. So someone like Jonathan definitely leaned in. I leaned in because I see it. I feel it. And he's a hard worker. So, you know, everybody starts somewhere, right? Like, I work with Woody McLain, right? Woody McLain was vining. You know what I'm saying? He was one of the first. He's one of the early people. Hell, Melvin Gregg, you know, like, they were the first. They were one of the first content creators. Now they're on tv, you know what I'm saying? Now they're doing movies. So it's like, don't ever forget about. I mean, don't ever try to play them as if, you know. Cause people start somewhere just like, that's their school, you know, that's their drama school, you know, that's how I look at it.
• 33:44
  Speaker C: And when you look for clients, like, are you ever looking for people, to your point, who are in multiple ventures? Like, I know that you talked about your client, and he's acting now. He's producing. Like, do you look for that at all?
• 33:57
  Speaker A: Do I look for it?
• 33:59
  Speaker C: Or is it beneficial that they're doing maybe in multiple avenues?
• 34:03
  Speaker A: It depends. It depends, man. That's a tricky question. Because it. It's all about what they're bringing, right? And sometimes it's not time to do that. You know, Some people don't want to hear that, but it's just the truth. Like, you know, some things you want to learn first before you dive all the way in. Or some things become easier the way. The more that your star kind of go up, you know, like, if you are, you know, shout out to Quinta, you know, she was writing. Right. You know what I'm saying? Or Issa. Right. They were doing different things, and they was blessed to put themselves in things, too. But, like, they started somewhere. So sometimes it's not about if I'm looking for it, you know, it's about if it makes sense. Yeah.
• 34:55
  Speaker C: So we want to give the viewers some advice. What are three tips you would give to someone who wants to break into the entertainment industry, who doesn't have the connections?
• 35:06
  Speaker A: Do it on your own. Like, create the leverage that make people wanna lean in. Like, don't forget, Like, I mean, I tell people this now. Like, who's in the industry? Like, especially where we at now, you can't forget what made you pick up that camera. You can't forget what made you wanna act, you know what I'm saying? Like, we are in such a cool space now where people can actually benefit from. From going online and creating their own content, you know what I'm saying? Like, everybody has a phone. So there's no excuse. There's no excuse if acting is your industry, right? If it's representation that you want to do. I answered that earlier. Like, you know, figure out how you can help somebody else, you know, Then that kind of starts being a thing. Photography, you know what I'm saying? Grab your friends and take really cool pictures, you know what I'm saying? Like, be different, you know, so there's a lot of different. There's no excuse not to do nothing. Like, I don't want to hear that, you know, because I remember I was doing all type, you know what I'm saying? I was selling shoes, I was selling license plates legally, I was selling legal license plates. I worked at the VMV. IDs, selling weed, shooting my own whatchamacallit web series. All this is grabbing my friends and making it happen. So I don't really like to hear what a person can't do. That's one of the pet peeves of mine. It's like, just do it. Just do it. That's like Nike. Yeah, just do it. Like it's that simple. Like, don't overcomplicate it.
• 36:54
  Speaker C: Yeah, yeah.
• 36:56
  Speaker A: Because everybody has the resources.
• 36:58
  Speaker C: And then lastly, what are three things people should know about managing?
• 37:02
  Speaker A: It's not easy. You're flying the plane and building at the same time. I don't care how smooth somebody make it look or feel seen, but you are definitely flying the plane. And you might stop up in the air for gas, you know what I'm saying? You might have to fill your own gas up. Okay, then, you know, just have a point of view. Just have a point of view.
• 37:31
  Speaker C: Well then, yeah. Well, before you go, we have a couple games that we want to play with.
• 37:35
  Speaker A: Love games.
• 37:36
  Speaker C: I love games too.
• 37:37
  Speaker A: Sorta.
• 37:38
  Speaker C: So the first game is real talk or industry cap. So I'm gonna give you a couple prompts and statements and you could just say if it's cap facts and then just expound on it. So the first one is it's all about who you know, that cap or fact Cap.
• 37:57
  Speaker A: Why? I feel like it's about who know
• 37:59
  Speaker C: you
• 38:02
  Speaker A: now, how you get to that is a different question. Because a lot of people know a lot of people. But like, I think the benefit is like when someone knows you and what you can offer them or what they can get from you.
• 38:18
  Speaker C: Okay, yeah, you need to move to LA to make it okay.
• 38:24
  Speaker A: Especially post pandemic.
• 38:25
  Speaker C: Like, you could do it anywhere now.
• 38:27
  Speaker A: You could do it anywhere. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I feel like the business quote unquote still here as far as offices, but, you know, I got clients who live in Florida, clients who live in Dallas. Who's some people favorite talent?
• 38:45
  Speaker C: So, yeah, going viral is the fastest way to build a career, Cap.
• 38:53
  Speaker A: That's super Cap. Because it's a lot of viral people who ain't built a career.
• 38:57
  Speaker C: Yeah, that's true.
• 38:58
  Speaker A: Yeah, yeah.
• 38:59
  Speaker C: You need a manager to make it, Cap. You can do it yourself.
• 39:04
  Speaker A: Yeah. You just. We here to guide. We're not here to be the talent that you possess. That's weird.
• 39:13
  Speaker C: And then the bigger the agency, the better the opportunities.
• 39:16
  Speaker A: Super Cap. Oh, my God. Especially today's world, like, yeah, like, it's about the person in the building and it's about the support that that person have. And there's a lot of agents at these big companies who don't have to support from their peers or some of the people who can help move. Right. Then there's people at what they would call. I don't even like stacking it no more. Agency is agency. I was about to say me at Tierra Smart. Like, as long as the hustle is there and the connections is there, you know, a person can do whatever they want to do. That's my opinion.
• 40:02
  Speaker C: No, I love it. I like that. Okay, second game, it's called inside your industry bag. So I have a bag which is actually a little cup over there. If you want to just pull a little prompt out of there and just
• 40:14
  Speaker A: answer the prompt, answer the front. I'm going to go all the way at the bottom because I'm.
• 40:23
  Speaker C: There we go.
• 40:24
  Speaker A: This one.
• 40:25
  Speaker C: Oh, is it two? What? I think I just double folded it. It's fine. All right, what's the question?
• 40:32
  Speaker A: What's one decision that changed everything for you? Wow. What's one decision that changed everything for you? I truly appreciate my children
• 40:58
  Speaker C: and
• 41:01
  Speaker A: I do, because when I moved, I had two little girls.
• 41:06
  Speaker C: And,
• 41:08
  Speaker A: you know, it wasn't. You know, some people would have been like, oh, you about to leave them? I mean, some people did say that, you know, 2,000 miles away, you know, and, you know, shout out to, you know, their moms who. Who also sacrificed, you know, me being away. Um, but it changed everything for me. It changed things for them. And it's continuing to change, you know, and the harder I go, you know, the better opportunities I have for them. So, you know, it was a hard decision. It was a very emotional decision. It's very hard to parent from 2,000 miles away. You feel like, you know, you're not there for a lot of things. You know, I did, you know, do my best to make sure I didn't. I don't miss no birthdays. I don't, you know, and if. And if I do, it's the benefit, you know, but it's. That decision changed my life forever, you know, and they are able to reap. Reach the. Reap the fruits of my labor.
• 42:31
  Speaker C: I love that.
• 42:31
  Speaker A: So I appreciate them for not being jerks about it. My kids, you know, even. It's hard for them, too, but they're super supportive and owe everything to them and, you know, and even the community around them, you know.
• 42:50
  Speaker C: Yeah, that's beautiful. Takes a village, for sure. And last but not least, pass it forward. I'm asking each guest to leave a question for the next guest. So what would be a question that you will want the next person in the share to answer?
• 43:14
  Speaker A: In whatever industry that you're in, what. Do you want to be known for? Why do you do what you do? No, I think that's super. I think that's a question that people really don't ask themselves. You know, and it could be anything. It could be for a check. It can be for, you know, it could be. For. It could help your mental health. It can be. You know, I'd heard stories of people like, I do this because my mom, you know what I'm saying, wanted me to do this, et cetera, or I do this because my mom had dreams of doing this, you know, so, like, I think that's a super important question.
• 44:04
  Speaker C: I love that question.
• 44:05
  Speaker A: Yeah.
• 44:05
  Speaker C: Why do you do this? And is there before we walk away, is there anything that maybe I didn't ask you today that you would have wanted me to ask?
• 44:13
  Speaker A: Nah.
• 44:14
  Speaker C: Okay. I did my thing.
• 44:15
  Speaker A: You did your thing.
• 44:16
  Speaker C: Okay.
• 44:16
  Speaker A: You always do your thing, though. I think you don't get enough of your flowers either. I think what you do for, especially us as black people in this industry can sometimes be overlooked, you know, because you're running around 24 7, but, like, you know, you have helped put a lot of talent, you know, in better positions. And I think you should really. Appreciate that to yourself, and I think people should appreciate that about you. Just honestly, you are a gem to us all, you know? So thank you.
• 45:08
  Speaker C: Don't make me cry.
• 45:09
  Speaker A: For sure.
• 45:09
  Speaker C: That is really sweet. That is really sweet.
• 45:11
  Speaker A: It's true.
• 45:12
  Speaker C: Thank you.
• 45:13
  Speaker A: All right.
• 45:16
  Speaker C: No, I really appreciate you doing this for me. You, like, every time I call you, you come through. So I'm sure I had an amazing conversation. You dropped some gems. I'm sure the viewers are gonna enjoy this conversation, but I really appreciate you coming on.
• 45:30
  Speaker A: Let's go and shout out to the naacp.
• 45:33
  Speaker C: Amen. Yes.
• 45:35
  Speaker A: Love you guys.
• 45:36
  Speaker C: Swoop. There he is.
• 45:39
  Speaker B: I hope you enjoyed today's episode with Swoop. No matter where you are in your journey, there's a place for you in this industry, and we're here to be a resource. If this conversation sparks something for you, make sure to, like, subscribe and share and drop a comment letting us know what conversations you'd like to see next. I'm your host, Ariana Drummond. See you inside the industry.