Gersh Agency Offers Exclusive Access to Entertainment Industry via Emerson LA Partnership

Seventeen students and career professionals participated in a groundbreaking, week-long, immersive educational program dubbed the Gersh U Summer Institute at Emerson College Los Angeles (ELA) this July. A partnership between Gersh Gives, The Gersh Agency, and Emerson College, the institute provides participants with a behind-the-scenes look into the world of talent agencies and the ever-evolving entertainment industry. 

“The program was fantastic. I got to meet peers, people at different stages in their careers, and professionals who are at different stages in their journey,” said Spencer Blanchard ’24, an aspiring filmmaker who participated in the inaugural program. “We got to meet with agents from different departments who have different perspectives. Everyone has a unique take on why they’re an agent and what their priorities are.”

Altogether, participants met more than 20 Gersh employees who hold a variety of positions at the agency. From talent to digital agents, partners to New York assistants, the head of alternative programming to HR representatives — the program provided participants with an intimate view of what it’s like to work at an agency. 

“Working for an agency is like grad school for the entertainment industry,” said Melanie Elman ’02, a talent agent at Gersh, during a panel at the end of the week that featured five different Emerson alumni working at the agency. 

The roots of the institute began a couple years ago when Jayson Council, head of culture at Gersh, reached out to Emerson to ask about LA housing for students in the Spike Fellows program, a fellowship named after director Spike Lee to support undergrads at various Historically Black Colleges and Universities who have an interest in the film industry. What started as a housing partnership grew into something deeper and more meaningful, including a Young Black Hollywood Mixer hosted at ELA in 2024, and eventually, the summer institute. 

The Gersh U educational program supports college students aiming to work in the entertainment industry by connecting them with established professionals through curated learning experiences. Emerson is one of a handful of colleges partnering with Gersh for the program.  

“When I put this program together, it wasn’t just to be a direct pipeline between Gersh and these students, it was more so to provide space for students to learn and then be dope in the industry no matter what area or field,” said Council. “Everyone needs opportunities to get closer to access and exposure.”

Sophia Dasol found out about the program through Instagram, stumbling upon an advertisement through a partnership ELA has with the Latino Filmmakers Network. She flew out for the program from her home in London, pairing it with a vacation to visit family in the area.

“Every hour has been really impactful. Hearing directly and connecting with the people who work at Gersh has been valuable. I really see the investment Gersh is making,” said Dasol, an aspiring agent. 

Carlson Jones ’26, a student at ELA this summer, wanted to participate in the program because she hoped to build connections with other people in the industry. 

“We’ve had amazing people from various backgrounds come in,” said Jones. “This program and having contact with people in the industry opens up so many opportunities.”

Council said one of his hopes for the program was that students would have more confidence in their skillset and feel that they belong. 

“The industry isn’t just this abyss or orbit somewhere that’s unattainable. I want them to be able to touch it and feel that it’s real,” said Council. “If I could just pull the curtain back a little bit and allow them to put their toes in the water just a tiny bit and see that this is what an agency looks like, these are people at an agency. They’re actually mad cool and super smart and nice and want to see them win. All these things make them feel that much more comfortable in chasing their dream.”

Santha Rowles ’22, assistant to the vice chairman of Lionsgate and a former assistant at Gersh, spoke on the Emerson panel with Elman. Several participants in the program asked questions of her directly, wanting to know her pathway as a recent grad.

“They got to ask successful people, who they may want to follow in the footsteps of one day, questions that they normally wouldn’t find the answer to online,” said Rowles. “That’s incredibly valuable.”

Following the panel, participants were able to network with the Emerson alumni over lunch and then reflected on their experiences at the end of the program. 

“Whatever [the participant’s] interest is, whatever their dynamism is, their passion, I want them to know that it’s needed, it’s necessary, and they fit this big entertainment puzzle,” said Council. “I can’t wait to see people that have Gersh U on their resume. I can’t wait for someone to use that as their calling card, as a differentiator between why they may be more prepared than the person who didn’t have this opportunity.”