Perhaps it’s a bit much to say that being one of Variety’s 10 Assistants to Watch can be a life-changing experience. But it has led at least one of those named to this year’s list – who were honored at a happy hour event on Thursday evening at One Universal on the Universal Studios Lot – to be recognized by strangers in public.
“I was at a happy hour at Lavo in Hollywood a few weeks ago with some friends, and I think it was other assistants who were nearby,” said Christine Murrain, who is the coordinator for the office of Pearlena Igbokwe, chairman, TV studios, for NBC Entertainment & Peacock scripted at NBCUniversal.
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More important to Murrain is how it has impacted her family. “Both of my parents are in the Army, and they don’t always understand every aspect of what we do here, but this was something that kind of translated to them,” she said.
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It’s clear that she’s highly valued by Igbokwe, who looked at her with a proud smile as they stood side by side on the outdoor deck overlooking the Universal backlot.
“I’m not going to call her an assistant. She’s an incredible colleague,” said Igbokwe. “Maybe it’s some of that military upbringing, but my desk has never been more organized and on-the-ball as when Christine has been working with me.”
Announced on Aug. 6, Variety’s 10 Assistants to Watch Class of 2025 also includes Nikki Bergman (Range Media Partners), Katie Byrne (HBO & HBO Max Content), Bela Levin (Skydance), Blake Maley (Gersh Agency), Jessica Omokheyeke (The Recording Academy), Rose Poole (CAA), Kimia Simab (Searchlight Pictures), Arman Yaghmai (Verve) and Olivia Zweig (Screen Gems).
The event, hosted by NBCUniversal and the Junior Hollywood Radio & Television Society, featured drinks, food, custom merch provided by meme-page-turned-media-company Assistants vs. Agents and, of course, ample networking opportunities for attendees. But the emotional centerpiece of the evening was a speech delivered by Verve TV literary agent Roberto Larios, a member of Variety’s Assistants to Watch Class of 2018.
“Being an assistant is an opportunity to be someone’s sidekick, a partner in crime, a Robin to their Batman, or, because we’re at NBCU, the minions to their Gru,” said Larios, eliciting howls of laughter from the crowd.
But the bulk of Larios’ remarks were more serious, touching on subjects such as collaboration, respecting others, self-forgiveness and the importance of work-life balance.
“Don’t be afraid to take chances,” he advised. “This is one of the few moments in your career where you have the permission to learn, to make mistakes and to grow. So take risks, ask questions and put yourself out there. The relationships and habits that people build now will define your career for the next few decades.”
