Wendi Niad
Founder

Ms. Niad began her career at the Comedy Store where in addition to being one of the talent coordinators, she wrote comedy material for comedians such as Andrew "Dice" Clay and the late, great Judy Toll.

She stepped up her career path when she was granted a job as the assistant to motion picture literary agent Dave Wirtschafter at International Creative Management where she was witness to Mr. Wirtschafter's no less than genius idea of giving his client Randall Wallace's screenplay, Braveheart, to Mel Gibson.
Ms. Niad was lucky enough to "be in the right place at the right time" and within 2 years, Ms. Niad was promoted. In the Motion Picture Literary Department at ICM, she worked with writers and directors such as Roland Joffe (The Killing Fields), Robert Rodriguez (Spy Kids; El Mariachi), Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge), John Briley (Ghandi), Randall Wallace (Braveheart; Pearl Harbor), Spike Lee, and many others. Some of her highlights and accomplishments at ICM were bringing Stephen J. Cannell Entertainment, a multi billion dollar corporation, into the agency as a client and discovering young, then unknown, talent such as director Shawn Levy (Cheaper By the Dozen; Night at the Museum).

Preferring to work more closely with her clients in a friendlier and less corporate environment, Ms. Niad decided to leave the world of agenting. She began Niad Management in July of 1997 with the philosophy that there are so many worthy artists that "you really shouldn't have to tout people you don't believe in just because they make for good commerce at the moment." Niad Management has enjoyed unparalleled success and has been flourishing ever since.

At the urging of many former interns and assistants, Ms. Niad attempts to explain Hollywood in her 6 week class at UCLA Extension called Street Smarts for the Screenwriter.

Ms. Niad's professional advice is often sought. A Q&A with Ms. Niad can be found in the newly published book put out by Final Draft Ask the Pros: Screenwriting by Howard Meibach and Paul Duranas as well as How to Sell your Screenplay by Lydia and Joan Wilen. Both books can be purchased at Amazon.com where you can read the 4 and 5 star reviews!

Interviews with Ms. Niad can be found on websites such as screenplayers.net and Hollywood Lit Sales where she regularly answers questions on their Ask a Pro board.

She is also a mentor for high school students through the Friars Charitable Foundation.

This Spring, Ms. Niad will begin teaching a class called Street Smarts for the Screenwriter at UCLA Extension.

Of a personal note, Wendi is married with 2 beautiful children, a stepdaughter, and a long time live in Nanny who is expecting her first child to whom Wendi will be the Godmother...She also has a dedicated space at home for Jennifer and her assistant work out of. In Ms. Niad's husband's words, "We're like Big Love here!" No wonder she became a manager!