Getting OUT of Showbiz

July 7th, 2008

When I tell people who are already in the entertainment industry that one of the things I do is help recent grads and others get jobs in the entertainment industry, they often ask me, with tongue only sort-of planted in cheek, if I can help them get OUT of the entertainment industry.

If you aren’t in entertainment, then you might think they must be kidding. But, alas, they are not. Here are some reasons people might want to get out of entertainment:

THE PAY when you first start out, especially when you are in support positions, can be terrible.

THE PEOPLE in the industry aren’t all nice, reasonable or even sane.

THE FINISHED PRODUCT isn’t always something to be proud of.

THE HOURS are sometimes long and unpredictable, sometimes even brutal and around-the-clock.

THE PHYSICAL TOLL is often too much. The physical nature of the job, as in the case of many crew positions (camera department, art department, costumes, electrical, etc.), makes it difficult for people to continue the work past the point in their lives when they are young and hungry. 

The good news- or maybe just the telling news- is that those entertainment industry veterans who ask me about getting out of the industry rarely do. What keeps them there? What is the upside?

THE PAY when you get established can be very good.

THE PEOPLE in the industry are often some of the most generous and creative you will ever meet.

THE FINISHED PRODUCT is sometimes something you can be very proud of.

THE FREEDOM you have when you are freelance to take time off when you want to can make up for the long hours when you do work. You are ultimately your own boss.

THE PHYSICAL TOLL can often be worked around. When you reach a certain level, you can hire people who are young and hungry to do the heavy lifting.

And when all else fails, there’s always THE SWAG. I am right now wearing a FIGHT CLUB tee shirt that I received when I worked as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Producer of FIGHT CLUB.

I also own a MR. & MRS. SMITH baseball cap from my tenure with his company. And maybe even a FREE WILLY plushy toy. Can you imagine??

So to those who are thinking about getting into the industry: I hope this gives you an idea of what you are getting- and not getting- when you get into the biz. Because I’m not giving you my FIGHT CLUB tee shirt. No way.

Related posts:

1. Let Yourself Shine
2. Putting it All Together and Writing the Resume
3. Is Your Job Like a Creepy Boyfriend?
4. Get: A Whole New Mind
5. It’s Not Your Fault– Seriously

Filed under: career change, college grads, entertainment industry, mid-career professionals, miscellaneous career advice