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:

• How to break into Hollywood without connections
• How talent managers discover and develop talent
• How opportunities and deals get made
• How relationships create long-term leverage
• What aspiring creatives should focus on right now

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.

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• (00:00:00) - Intro to James Swoope
• (00:00:42) - Episode Start
• (00:05:28) - The Moment He Knew Management Was His Path
• (00:12:30) - The Hardest Part Of Breaking Into This Industry
• (00:13:31) - How He Overcame Imposter Syndrome
• (00:15:20) - First Step to Becoming a Manager
• (00:18:16) - Defining What a Manager Does
• (00:20:36) - Misconceptions about What Managers Do
• (00:22:51) - One Mistake that Aspiring Managers Make
• (00:25:13) - A Hard Lesson James Swoope Learned
• (00:26:21) - Mental Health and Overcoming Burnout
• (00:29:35) - How to Stay Competitive Today in the Industry
• (00:32:25) - What James Swoope Looks for in a Client
• (00:34:55) - Tips on Breaking Into Entertainment Without Connections
• (00:37:32) - Game: Real Talk or Industry Cap
• (00:40:31) - One Decision That Changed Everything For James Swoope
• (00:42:54) - James Shares a Question for the Next Guest