Natalia Williams

NATALIA WILLIAMS

Manager
M88

Interview

  • Where are you originally from?

    Los Angeles, CA

  • Where do you currently reside?

    Hollywood

  • What prompted you to get into the sports/entertainment industry?

    I started out wanting to be a filmmaker, but then once I got to film school I was more drawn to the business of representation and using my creativity to put films together behind the scenes rather than being a writer/director. So I pivoted.

  • Please outline the services you provide for clients and any specialties.

    I work with clients on a day to day basis to help them build out their careers in the film and TV space. I would also say it goes a bit deeper than that since many clients I work with are multi-hyphenates who are mastering multiple different mediums and so we work together in a creative capacity as well as an entrepreneurial partnership. The best way to describe it is if the client is a brand, M88 would function as the COO of that brand.

  • What type of clients do you typically represent? What factors do you consider when deciding which clients to take on?

    I mostly work with writers and directors, and then I work with the talent at M88 to help them build out their own projects and production companies. The main factor I look for is if I have a passionate response to their material and their creative voice.

  • What is one thing people would be surprised to know about your profession? What is one of the biggest misconceptions?

    I don't know that its necessarily a misconception, but the question I get the most is what is the difference between managers and agents. I was an agent before switching to management so I think there is alot of crossover and teamwork between the two. But the manager definitely gets more in the weeds on the day to day and strategizing around each individual project and medium and then the agency steps in to get it to the marketplace and buyers to get you the best deal.

  • What are some challenges or obstacles you have faced as an African-American in this profession?

    Ahh yes. I think in my first few jobs in the industry, the only companies available were ones that were large white institutions that have been around for many years in Hollywood before D&I was as much of a thing. So I think there was definitely a time in my career as I was coming up that I had to mute my personality to a certain extent to be able to raise the ranks at those institutions. I'm excited for this upcoming crop of reps and executives because there are many more options to grow within the industry, and companies like M88 where we thrive in an environment where every manager and exec is wholly themselves. I feel like that's our biggest strength as opposed to something that I feel like I need to hide anymore.

  • What do you think can be done to improve diversity with regards to representation?

    I think it needs to be an initiative that everyone owns across the industry. We can't just make all the push as reps, we need more studio executives of color with buying power. We need chances taken on filmmakers and show runners of color. We need diversity at a high level at the tech companies that own the studios. Etc. etc. Only when its across the industry can we really be making significant changes that don't just snap back when a current movement is no longer at the forefront. (Side eyeing everyone who disbanded their diversity initiatives recently, after enough time had passed since the protests over the pandemic.)

  • What advice would you have for other African-Americans looking to enter this profession?

    Read and watch everything to get a sense of your personal taste and what you respond to. Know which filmmakers and production companies you like off of that. See if those companies are hiring and then once you get that job, make sure you build a rapport with everyone top down to really make your mark whether its a 6 month internship or an entry level opportunity. Be a sponge while there so you know what things they will respond to if you get to pitch them ideas or projects. And keep in touch when you move on, you never know when you might need to collaborate with them again down the line.

  • What is the best way for people to get in touch with you?

    Email is best at my M88 email.

  • Is there any other information you would like to share?

    I am actually looking for a new assistant right now because my assistant is getting ready to move on to focus on writing. Someone who really wants to grow and become a manager.