Today we’d like to introduce you to Max Shifrin.
Max, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Inspired by the HBO series Entourage, I moved to LA right after I graduated college from the University of Maryland to pursue a career in the business side of the entertainment industry.
For those who know the show, I wanted to be the next Ari Gold but a nicer version. In 2017, I started my company, Shifrin Management, by cold calling several local talent agencies to pitch an actor friend of mine.
On each call made, I introduced myself as Max from a company called “Shifrin Management”– a name I made up that day. Much to my surprise, everyone I called was very receptive and in just a few hours I got my friend signed with a major agency and he became my first official client. From that day on, I’ve put everything I have into my company. I’m very proud that in two and a half years I’ve grown my client list to include writers, directors, and entertainers, and have successfully produced several projects including an award-winning feature film and live events.
Has it been a smooth road?
No, it has not been the smoothest road, but that’s part of the learning and growing process. There have been countless successes which I’m incredibly proud of, but it hasn’t been an easy straight road. I started an entertainment company with no experience, not being from LA, or having family in the entertainment industry, so I had to expect a massive learning curve. I learned now to be patient and easy with myself since inception. The day I started my company, I didn’t know the difference between union and non-union actors so I had to learn literally everything from ground zero. Part of the struggle along the way is that there is a very unique and nuanced language of the entertainment industry that I was not fluent in until years later. I learned early on that it’s important to let yourself fail forward.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Shifrin Management story. Tell us more about the business.
Shifrin Management is a bespoke talent management and production company that proudly focuses in the LGBTQ space. Our signature project is West Hollywood Brunch, a stand-up comedy and variety show that features the nation’s best LGBTQ comedians and performers. I’ve always loved stand up from a very young age and I used to perform at The Comedy Store back in 2016 before I soon realized I would rather produce comedy than perform it. When I realized I wasn’t going to be the next Jewish Chris Rock I decided that I wanted to produce a unique type of show. I wanted to provide a platform for a very special, courageous, and historically unsupported community so I decided to pitch an LGBTQ show to The Comedy Store, despite the fact that I identify as straight. The first WeHo Brunch happened in October of 2017 — and within just two months afterward, we had a monthly residency at The Comedy Store. After almost two years of monthly, sold-out shows, we are actively developing WeHo Brunch as the first TV series of its kind. More to come on that soon!
I’m very grateful and honored to represent Arisce Wanzer, Trans-Supermodel/Actress/Comedian/Host. She has been the host of the LA Pride for the past two years and is one of the brightest and funniest people I’ve ever met. Here are some pictures of Arisce hosting LA Pride last month.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Good question, especially when TV, Film, and Talent is changing by the minute. I think Influencers will start to be seen on TV and Film (which could be good or terrible). And my sense is that we’re going to see a lot more fragmentation in distribution, with frequent additions of streaming platforms and new “networks”, Most of all I think diversity will continue to trend. Successes in projects like Black Panther and shows like Pose are just the precursors to what I think will be a strong next five to ten years for “diversity” projects. The industry is recognizing that our country (and the world as a whole) is a very diverse place with diverse people looking for their stories to be told. Audiences need to hear their stories.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shifrinmgmt.com
- Phone: 2068537771
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: shifrinmgmt
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