How to Become a Writer's Assistant
Writer's assistants are the underpinning of the entertainment industry. They do everything from get coffee, to scheduling meetings, to doing research for upcoming projects. A plus is that you learn the business side of writing, while making contacts. Hopefully, your boss will eventually recommend you for jobs. Becoming a writer's assistant can be a difficult journey and there is no clear path for success.
- Attend a college and/or graduate school. This might seem like a roundabout way of getting an assistant's gig; however, very few writers want to hire someone with little or no post-high school education. They like to know that their assistant is devoted to writing as a career, and that they have some training in store. It is likely that many of your professor's either are, or know, working writers who want assistants. If you prove yourself committed in school they will be likely to put in a good word for you as you graduate.
- Make contacts. Doing internships at various publishers, production companies and talent agencies will help you find writers looking for assistants. It also helps if your current employer sends a glowing recommendation. Many internship employers are more than happy to help you in your next career step, so the more you do for them, the more they do for you. Work hard and they will help you secure an assistant's position.
- Search the UTA list. If you're looking to be a television writer or a screenwriter's assistant then you're going to want to look at the UTA job list. The UTA list is an unofficial hiring list for the entertainment industry. It is not officially endorsed by the United Talent Agency, but many job opportunities are found there. This is especially true for entry level jobs.
- Cold calling. It's never a bad idea to send polite requests to writers that you respect. Don't be a pest, and always act professionally; the truth is, you never know what will work. The industry is full of people with unique stories about their early careers.