Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Kirschner.
Hi Michael, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I landed in LA and crashed on a couch for a few months like most others trying to figure out my life at 21… very broke and ignorant, and clueless on how to get a job in this city. I was not sure what I wanted to do, but every job seemed to require “agency experience.” So that was a good place to start, but I soon realized that even getting into a talent agency would entail personal relationships from the inside, or a standout resume if they would even read it.
With little success in the short term, I did finally land a job selling sports tickets for AEG properties.
Commuting from the Valley to Downtown LA every day and working in a cubicle with no windows in sight… it was hardly my dream job.
After nearly quitting LA and moving back east, my last ditch effort was to drive around to all the talent agencies and personally deliver my resume to each HR department.
CAA, WME, ICM and a few others… I never got past the receptionist, ha!
But the kind lady at ICM had promised to send my resume up to HR herself and that did the trick! I received a call shortly after, asking me to come in for an interview to join the mailroom. It was just the opportunity I needed.. anything to get my feet past security. I was in!
There was never a shortage of drama, gossip and hard times… arriving by 630am to sort the mail each day, and leaving around 8pm each night. But I knew this role was only temporary… that’s what kept me going. I also got to meet so many people along the way and started to realize how important starting from the mailroom really was.
Finally breaking free from the mailroom, I worked my way from floater temp to assistant to coordinator. I saw many friends give up.. not willing to wait their turn or receive a promotion. Others did get their shot but I noticed many would pass because it wasn’t the department they wanted.
I didn’t believe in that.
Simply put… get in, work your way up and then perhaps you can move around from there.
Many years later… I am now a co-owner of Intrinsic Production Agency… a boutique agency that specializes in representing some of the best Production artists in the entertainment business.
In total, I am now in my 17th year and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Hardly.
It has definitely been a bumpy road, with many sleepless and nightmare-ish evenings where I just wanted to give up and take the easy road.
But I had no back up plan… this was it, so I couldn’t quit.
I’ve also realized that half the battle is to keep going while everyone else around you gives up. In many cases, I was the last man standing when an opportunity presented itself.
We’ve been impressed with Intrinsic, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Intrinsic is a boutique talent agency, representing some of the best Filmmakers behind the screen.
At first, I had no clue that these Artists even needed an agent, but when you consider their busy schedules and how talented they are… a partnership with an agent makes total sense.
Intrinsic has 4 partners based in Los Angeles, CA along with offices in the UK and Poland.
My partners and I collectively have over 50 years’ experience negotiating and fighting for these filmmakers… aiming to get them the best overall deals we can on each project they work on.
In particular, my focus is on Cinematographers, Production Designers and Costume Designers/Stylists and I put most efforts into the advertising and music video world.
Even the commercials you see on TV and the music videos online are produced by these artists and I love every second of the process.
Any big plans?
I plan to do this for the long haul… I’m not going anywhere!
I love what I do, and I don’t think every agent in this town can say that.
Being a co-owner means you have skin in the game… and care more about the clients success.
When they succeed, we succeed. Not the other way around.
I will also be a father starting this summer, and stoked for it !
Contact Info:
- Website: https://intrinsic-la.com/
- Instagram: @intrinsic_la
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-kirschner-06252668
