How do you break into Hollywood without connections?

For most people, the biggest barrier to entering the entertainment industry isn’t talent—it’s access. So how do careers actually get started when you don’t know anyone?

In this episode of NAACP+ Inside the Industry, James Swoope—Partner at M88—breaks down how aspiring creatives can break into Hollywood, how talent managers identify potential, and how opportunities are built behind the scenes.

From building relationships to creating leverage without traditional access, this conversation reveals how careers gain traction in today’s entertainment industry.

We cover:

If you’re trying to get into the entertainment industry—or build a career from the ground up—this is your starting point.

About James Swoope:

James Swoope is a Partner at M88, where he helps guide talent strategy, package projects, and build opportunities for clients across entertainment and sports.

Subscribe to NAACP+ Inside the Industry for weekly conversations with leaders across film, television, music, and digital media.

Follow NAACP+ ITI: @naacpinsidetheindustry
Instagram: @naacpplus
Facebook: @naacpplus

Welcome to the vertical storytelling era.

But how do you actually break into vertical storytelling and short-form content right now?
Short-form content is reshaping the entertainment industry—and creating new opportunities for writers, producers, and creators looking to build in vertical storytelling.

In this episode of NAACP+ Inside the Industry, Wendy Calhoun—writer, showrunner, and co-executive producer behind Empire—shares how she built a powerhouse career across traditional television and the rapidly growing world of micro dramas.

We cover:

If you’re a writer, producer, or creative trying to understand how to get into vertical storytelling and short-form content, this conversation gives you a clear look at where the industry might be headed. 

About Wendy Calhoun:
Wendy Calhoun is a writer, showrunner, and executive producer known for her work on Empire, and is now building projects in vertical storytelling and micro drama formats.

This episode explores vertical storytelling, short-form content, and micro dramas, and how these formats are changing the entertainment industry. If you’re interested in TV writing, digital storytelling, or building a career in film and television, this conversation breaks down how the industry is evolving.

Subscribe to NAACP+ Inside The Industry for weekly conversations with industry leaders across film, television, and digital media.

Follow NAACP+ ITI: @naacpinsidetheindustry
Instagram: @naacpplus
Facebook: @naacpplus

What does it take to build a career in entertainment today?

NAACP+ Inside The Industry is a new original series exploring how film, television, music, fashion, and digital culture actually operate—through conversations with the professionals shaping the business.

Hosted by Ariana Drummond, a publicist with over 15 years of experience across multiple areas of the industry, the series connects the dots between creative work and the business behind it.

Each episode features real stories, practical insight, and the decisions that define long-term success across entertainment careers.

Guests include producers, executives, designers, and creatives working at the highest levels of the industry.

- New episodes drop weekly on NAACP+.

Follow NAACP+ ITI: @naacpinsidetheindustry
Instagram: @naacpplus
Facebook: @naacpplus