Talent agent Gayle Nachlis never had much time to help others. A William Morris agent for 30 years, she dedicated herself to procuring work for her clients, deciphering Equity contracts, scouring 99-Seat theatres for fresh talent, and raising two children. That didn't leave much time for altruism.
But on Jan. 4, Nachlis' priority changed to helping women get ahead and get fair treatment in a male-dominated industry. "I'd always been interested in the nonprofit world, but I'd had so little free time to devote, because an agent's job is so incredibly time-consuming," she said. "This was a tremendous opportunity to do something that I've always wanted to do."
Her new position as executive director of Women In Film—an organization that empowers, promotes, and mentors women in entertainment and media—is the beginning of her second career to which she brings three decades of experience. "I think I've gained a unique perspective on situations that specifically affect women as they interact with studios, cable companies, and networks," she noted.
She's particularly concerned with the lack of respect and work for female actors who have aged beyond the ingénue stage. "As actresses get older, it's no secret that the roles get fewer and far apart," she said. "You can be at the top of your game and all of a sudden have no outlet for your creativity."
Witnessing Oscar- and Emmy-winning women struggle in Hollywood attracted her to Women In Film, which she joined soon after leaving WMA in 2004. The organization offers a slate of programming and events for more than 2,000 members, who range from studio heads to students pursuing their degrees.
Many members take advantage of the groups for actors, writers, and directors—which meet each month to network with and learn from guest speakers. The actors group has hosted panels of influential casting directors, actors, and representatives of studios and production companies. Veteran publicist Michael Levine will advise actors Jan. 21 on how to promote themselves during pilot season.
Nachlis said a record number of burgeoning actors, directors, writers, and producers applied for WIF's popular mentoring program, which matches applicants with established women in their field. The organization is currently in the matching process.
Nachlis is also looking forward to recruiting more WIF members from L.A.'s theatre community, with which she is already on intimate terms. "My first love is the theatre; it always has been. My first showbiz job was as assistant prop mistress at the Sacramento Music Circus," she said.
"My goal was to do something that would combine my love of the theatre and business. I thought being an agent was the perfect job for me," said Nachlis, who holds a degree in dramatic literature from UCLA and began her career as an assistant to the agent who handled Equity contracts at WMA. She eventually handled all of the agency's regional theatres west of the Mississippi and all its summer stock in the country, and assisted the New York office with Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. "I was the theatre department on the West Coast for many years," she said.
"It seemed to me that the whole [theatre] community throughout the country just wanted to see the play put on," she continued. "At the end of the day, the goal was for the love of the art. It wasn't for the money."
She brings that attitude to her nonprofit work. "I'm doing something that I love, still with the people I've known and loved all of these years. Yet I feel by moving into the nonprofit world, you work just as hard, but you feel really good at the end of the day," she concluded.
For more information about Women In Film, visit www.wif.org.