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THE ALCHEMY OF ALEEN Manager Aleen Keshishian transforms Hollywood’s hopes and dreams into reality 4 THE INSIDER | www.agbu.org Aleen Keshishian and Te Kevin Huvane, partner and managing director, Entertainment Creative Artists Agency. SPECIAL Aleen Keshishian Profession: Talent Manager Company: Brillstein Entertainment Location: Los Angeles, California or even seasoned actors pressive list of star clients includes Jennifer part of the job is knowing I made a difer- and artists, Hollywood Aniston, Jason Bateman, Orlando Bloom, ence in someone’s career and life,” she says. can be an impersonal Billy Crudup, Selena Gomez, Topher “It’s rewarding to help a client land a job no and unforgiving world, Grace, Laura Linney, Emily Mortimer, one wanted him or her for, especially when fraught with rejection Gwyneth Paltrow, Paul Rudd and Mark the client goes on to prove me right and nail and instability. One Rufalo. And depending on what is going in the part.” scathing review or ques- each of their lives that day, Keshishian is just Keshishian was particularly proud when tionable role is some- as likely to be found on a set—in some Mark Rufalo won over superhero fans with times all it takes to relegate the next big thing cases anywhere in the world—as she is to be his subtle performance as the Hulk in the Fto has-been status. To achieve long-lasting in the ofce, juggling meetings and confer- blockbuster Avengers series and Gwyneth success in the entertainment industry, artists ence calls. When she’s not reviewing exist- Paltrow won an Emmy for her guest role on need the guidance of managers. While agents ing offers on behalf of her clients, Kesh- the popular TV series Glee. Keshishian can in S E are focused on landing the next gig, managers ishian is proactively speaking to flmmakers, fact look back at a long list of proud moments, G A look at the bigger picture in shaping their studio executives and brands about future including when her frst client Natalie Port- IM clients’ career paths and nurturing their pro- opportunities and projects. It’s a job that man claimed the acting world’s most coveted fessional development. This behind-the- demands a level of multi-tasking unfath- prize. When early on in her career, Portman scenes role requires an incredible degree of omable in most other fields. Keshishian expressed a desire to star in a dance movie, devotion and hard work that often goes un- receives thousands of emails and hundreds Keshishian introduced her to friend and cli- /CONTOURBY GETTY recognized in the industry. While she prefers of calls each day. “No matter how efcient ent director Daron Aronofsky who together LD to avoid the spotlight, few managers, how- my ofce is,” she says, “we are always on the came up with an original idea for a film. OFIE ; S E CH ever, are more deserving of that recognition phone or computer trying to catch up!” A decade later, Black Swan debuted at the Tel- G E S E A V than Aleen Keshishian. In addition to her role as an advocate and luride Film Festival. As the credits rolled, an IM : STE : A partner and manager at one of the master negotiator, Keshishian is also a men- ecstatic Keshishian called Portman to con- D world’s leading entertainment management tor, encouraging her clients to take risks, gratulate her on what would prove to be the REA SP groups, Brillstein Entertainment, Kesh- expand their range and pursue their pas- best work of her career. Indeed a few months S IOU E GRANT /GETTY /GETTY GRANT E V ishian was named one of the top 100 wom- sions—creating opportunities for them that later, Keshishian sat beside Aronofsky at the SS JE en in the entertainment industry. Her im- they never knew even existed. “My favorite Academy Awards and watched as Port- PRE 6 THE INSIDER | www.agbu.org man won the Oscar for Best Actress. “A lot of ents taught me. As proud Armenian roles which my clients wind up in are the re- immigrants, they continually sent the mes- sult of long negotiations and months, even sage that I needed to work extra hard and years of planning. When the fnal product is that I should always be thankful for my I TELL YOUNG PEOPLE TO impressive, it’s an exhilarating feeling.” many blessings.” At the time, Keshishian says she also As a young girl growing up on the East MAKE THEMSELVES thought about the great piece of advice Coast, Keshishian says she learned so much “ given to her by her mentor, the late Sam from her mother Cecile, in particular. “She INDISPENSABLE TO THEIR Cohn, on the day he hired her to work as would always describe difculties as oppor- BOSS, AND THEY WILL GET an agent at ICM, one of the largest agencies tunities. ‘Exceptions prove the rule’ and PROMOTED. DON’T TAKE in the world: “Our job is to introduce one ‘Nothing is impossible’ were her favorite great artist to another great artist, so they sayings.” Keshishian also salutes her moth- THINGS PERSONALLY. can create great art.” Keshishian had land- er’s courage, noting how she moved the HAVE A GREAT ATTITUDE. ed the job at ICM after a series of recom- family to Boston when she and her brother mendations that began in the summer of Alek were just infants because she wanted her sophomore year at Harvard University, them to have the best possible education. with an internship in the ofce of casting “She dreamed about us attending Harvard ” agent Paula Herold, arranged by AGBU as long before it actually happened. Just by her Jason Bateman Jennifer Aniston Paul Rudd Selena Gomez Gwyneth Paltrow part of its New York Summer Internship daily example, she showed us what it meant Over the course of her Program (NYSIP). On Herold’s advice, af- to work hard and plow forward, even in new, career as a talent manager, ter graduating from Harvard, Keshishian challenging circumstances.” Keshishian has repre- applied to work as an unpaid intern with Along with her father, Dr. Kevork Kesh- sented some of the big- gest stars in Hollywood. renowned casting director Juliet Taylor and ishian—a highly-educated pediatrician in her associate Laura Rosenthal. “I received Beirut before becoming a radiologist in the the best education in the business from a US—Keshishian insists her parents “were the true legend,” says Keshishian, who assisted foundation for everything in terms of my Taylor in casting movies directed by character and work ethic. Also, from day one, Woody Allen, Nora Ephron, Neil Jordan, they showed me that being Armenian was Louis Malle, Paul Newman and Mike something to talk about and be proud of and Nichols. It was through that job that Kes- celebrate. I never felt it was something I had hishian was in turn recommended to Sam to shrink away from or be embarrassed about, Cohn. “The AGBU internship program, even in New Hampshire, where Armenians which was founded by my aunt, Rita were in very short supply.” Balian, and my late uncle, Vartkess Balian, From the life lessons she received from was crucial to my success,” Keshishian says. her parents, the inspirational manager has “Without it, I wouldn’t have had the career since added a few of her own that she ofers I have.” to new graduates. “I tell young people to While those early breaks in her career make themselves indispensable to their may be attributed to connections, it is her boss, and they will get promoted. Don’t sharp instincts, intellect and uncompromis- take things personally. Have a great posi- ing work ethic that propelled Keshishian to tive attitude. Learn from your mistakes and K C the height of the entertainment industry. admit them. Ask for help. Ask questions. TO S And for that she says, she is eternally grate- Be resourceful. Work harder than anyone UTTER ful for the example set by her parents. “Ev- else and be kind to people. Tose qualities H S ery day I use the skills and lessons my par- get noticed. Tey really do.” www.agbu.org | THE INSIDER 7.

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