Ask An Assistant: (Nate Kublin, Hulu Comedy)

Nate Kublin,

Assistant to Billy Rosenberg, Head of Hulu Original Comedy

Hi Nate! Thanks so much for taking the time to join us today. Tell us more about what it’s like to work in comedy development at Hulu.

It’s honestly been a dream come true. I’m surrounded by incredibly talented and thoughtful executives, and they have been an invaluable resource in my development in this industry.

Can you tell us more about your day-to-day? And which projects are you currently working on?

Our team gets to work on both the current and development sides, so we are responsible for the Original Comedy programming on platform, as well as for finding the next wave of Hulu comedy content. From Only Murders in the Building and How I Met Your Father, to upcoming shows like History of the World Pt II and Up Here, I have been privileged enough to work on most of our live action comedy slate!

As an assistant, I do a lot of administrative work, which includes scheduling meetings, taking calls, and organizing our submissions. Beyond the traditional expectations for admin, I am grateful that my team also actively seeks out my insight on our current and development projects as well. I get to see how our execs take a project from a pitch to a completed product available on the platform for all to see, while stepping up and helping as appropriate.

I love that. Let’s back up a little bit so our subscribers can understand how you landed such a cool gig. Did you always know comedy development was for you?

I did not! I was a first generation college student with no connections to the entertainment industry, so getting an English degree and heading to Hollywood seemed like a pipe dream. I spent the first few years of college as a premed student, and as someone that felt a bit aimless entering undergrad, having that structure felt really reassuring. After a while though, I couldn’t deny that my heart wasn’t in it. I always loved comedy and television, so I decided to take a few English classes to test the waters. Before I knew it, I was writing for the campus satire paper, I was running the screenplay department for the Ivy Film Festival, and I was applying to internships in LA.

Very impressive. And how did you end up at Hulu? What attracted you to the company?

As I was nearing graduation, I heard about a new program called the Disney TV Apprenticeship Program. It's a rotational program meant to give recent graduates from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to work with and learn from different teams under the Disney umbrella. I was placed with Hulu Originals as my first rotation and instantly found a home. I’ve always adored Hulu’s ability to take fresh, new voices and make widely accessible and hilarious shows. While I was meant to be with the Hulu team for only a few months, I planted my flag and have since become a permanent fixture within the comedy team.

Is there anything you wish you knew before you entered the ‘biz’ and started that program?

I kind of wish I knew anything about the biz! In retrospect, I wish I knew how prepared I really was for the role. There’s a lot of fear that comes with entering an industry without those family connections, and the imposter syndrome takes over fast. Now that I’m on the inside though, the mystique washes away and I see this job for what it really is – close reading, critical thinking, creative analysis, and understanding the creative landscape (plus emails. Lots and lots of emails). It’s certainly an uphill battle to get your foot in the door, but once you’re inside, a lot of familiar skills come into play.

And now that your foot's in the door, what’s next for you? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

Three years ago, I never would have guessed that I would be working at Hulu, so it feels like a fool’s errand to predict what I will be doing in ten years’ time. What I can say with certainty, however, is that I am loving my time at Hulu and hope to continue growing here for the foreseeable future.

And how are you actively working on your career growth?

Does doing this interview count? In all seriousness, I'm actively trying to meet new writers, agents, managers, and everyone in between! As I’ve mentioned, I adore Hulu’s track record of platforming new voices both on screen and off, and I would love to bring in more new talent. Beyond that, I continue to learn from my teammates every day. They’ve all been doing this work for much longer than I have, and it’s been a true pleasure to have so many great mentors in one place.

What’s your advice to your fellow Hollywood assistants?

I’ve been told before that your opinion is your best asset in this industry. Ultimately, it doesn’t take a fancy college degree to organize an Outlook calendar. While the administrative work is a massive part of the job for assistants, your point of view is what really makes you stand apart from everyone else. As such, I think it’s important to make sure you are always doing the work to have a refined and informed POV.

And finally – of course we have to ask – what are you watching right now? And what are some all-time shows that have inspired you?

Not to plug our own programming, but I really do adore This Fool. As a Mexican-American, it means a lot to me to have a funny-forward show that centers Mexicans. It’s not merely an identity politics show, but rather another example of hilarious, fresh talent delivering an amazing show. Beyond that, I’m one of the millions that cannot get enough of Abbott Elementary – how can you not cheer for Quinta Brunson’s success?