Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rebekah Kochan . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Rebekah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I’ve been working as an actor/comic since I was a teenager and had dealt with the same frustrations a lot of artists in Hollywood deal with: lack of control over how much you work, not feeling understood/valued, wanting to be more involved in the creation of projects.
Almost 10 years ago, my husband, Dante (who’s also been a working comic/actor his whole life), suggested we start our own entertainment company, this way we could manage talented performers and develop our own film and tv projects in a more direct way. It was a daunting idea at first because I had only ever worked in front of the camera, but he and I had both made so many meaningful connections in Hollywood throughout the years we knew this was something we could do, and do well. It immediately felt right for me to be dealing with industry professionals on a business level because I always craved being more of a decision maker and, as I said earlier, having more control over everything I was working on.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m elated that Golden Artists Entertainment now manages an incredible roster of talent and we’re currently in preproduction for an exciting lineup of tv/film projects to be filmed this year.
However, let’s be honest; the past 5 years have been scary for everyone in entertainment. Between Covid, 2 strikes, and a potential 3rd strike looming, there were and continue to be moments that make me wonder what the future of entertainment is going to look like for people working in LA. Even with our business growing at a steady pace, I feel like everyone, including major streamers, are just scrambling to understand what the future of Hollywood will look like. Our uncertain political climate doesn’t help either.
Yet, despite the current tribulations our industry is going through, I’m personally optimistic Hollywood will get its stride back (whatever that ends up looking like) and can figure out a way for LA to remain the film mecca its always been.
I love that we’d built our brand based on respect for our clients, making them feel heard, creating projects with and for them, as well as working with filmmakers we genuinely admire and respect. I’m grateful my husband suggested we start this business, because it’s fulfilled me in ways that just being “talent” never did.
Obviously, all artists are different, but starting GAE was the correct move for me at this point in my life. I still act in projects I want to act in when I get cast and still do standup comedy, but running this business with Dante is my main priority.

How’d you meet your business partner?

I met Dante, my husband and business partner, 17 years ago at The Canoga Park Bowl. He was teaching standup comedy classes there and I signed up to be one of his students. We fell in love and the rest is Golden Artists Entertainment history!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Right before Covid, my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and Dante and I became his full time caregivers. At the same time, my mom (my parents are divorced)was going through chemo, as she had been recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Trying to run a business during a global crisis, worry about your Mom’s cancer recovery and watch someone else you love slowly fade into nothing was the most difficult thing I’ve ever experienced. Alzheimer’s and cancer are monster diseases. There were days I struggled to have the will power just to get out of bed because I was so depressed about everything going on; a feeling I know many have experienced. My husband was my rock and I don’t know how I would have survived this time without him. Luckily, my Mom is now cancer free; something I’m grateful for everyday. My Dad passed almost 2 years ago. I miss him terribly, but I’m glad his horrible suffering is finally over.
After dealing with all of that, dealing with people in Hollywood is nothing!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.goldenartistsentertainment.com/comedy-classes-with-dante.html
• Instagram: @rebekahkochan
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekah-kochan-86812718a?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Twitter: @RebekahKochan

Image Credits

Airic Lewis