Ask a Pro is Film Independent’s series featuring key figures in the film & TV industry discussing their work in depth. This month, we welcome Literary Manager Allard Cantor, Founder and Partner of Epicenter LA, whose clients include Steven Canals (Pose) and Will Berson (Judas and the Black Messiah).

Allard will discuss the role of a literary manager (vs. an agent), what he looks for in a client and how he finds new talent. Plus, he’ll offer tips for those seeking representation.

About the Speaker

New York City born, New Jersey bred, and University of Wisconsin educated, Allard Cantor started life as an envelope salesman in Manhattan before choosing to follow his passion for film and moving to Los Angeles. He attended the American Film Institute, where he received his MFA from their prestigious producing program. There, he discovered an aptitude for helping writers develop their material – a skill which, combined with his years of sales experience, led to an organic shift into management.

In 2012, Allard met his partner Jarrod Murray, and EPICENTER was born. Beginning with a handful of talented and diverse clients, Epicenter has become a premier home of excellent character-and-voice-driven material for all genres and audiences, and most recently celebrated its ninth anniversary. Specializing in finding new talent and honing raw, underserved voices, Epicenter has championed clients in features films & in TV staffing positions on shows such as Ghost: Power Book II, Fire Country, Not Dead Yet, Kay Scarpetta (2024), From, The Girl from Plainview, Tales of the Walking Dead, Beauty and the Beast and Dr. Death. Epicenter’s most recent success stories include Steven Canals, who created the Emmy-nominated and Peabody-winning series Pose for FX; and Will Berson, who was nominated for an Oscar co-writing Judas and the Black Messiah.

Epicenter also produced a low-budget thriller called 1BR, which was briefly #1 on Netflix and in the top 10 for many weeks.
 
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Accessibility

Film Independent is committed to hosting events that are accessible. For inquiries regarding accessibility, or to request an accommodation, please contact us at accessibility@filmindependent.org or 323 556 9305.