In an industry where who you know matters just as much as what you know, building relationships is key–especially with people a few steps ahead of you. Whether it’s an executive, an agent, or a seasoned creative, these folks hold a wealth of insight into how the industry works and how to navigate your own path forward. One of the most impactful ways to tap into that wisdom? The coffee chat.

From Disney fan fiction to a desk at Stacey Abrams’ production company, Jordan Bucknor’s journey is one you’ll find both relatable and inspiring. Supporting the Head of Film and TV at Sage Works Productions, she’s gaining hands-on experience in development– and discovering her own voice as a writer along the way. 

Every assistant has a toolkit. Out of sheer survival instinct, we collect tangible, and sometimes intangible, secret weapons that we quietly rely on to keep our bosses happy, our inboxes (somewhat) manageable, and our sanity intact. From Google alerts to snack stashes, we can’t assistant well without them.

By Natalie Lifson , Agent Trainee and Executive Assistant at Buchwald  and your co-Editor-in-Chief at THA Everything you may have missed...

* published March 2025. Updated April 2025 By Natalie Lifson , Executive Assistant and Agent Trainee at Buchwald and THA's co-EIC Over...

The entertainment industry can be so inaccessible, not just because of a general lack of resources, but because there are so many industry-