Work in the entertainment industry

“I started in production, and was the only PA on my show, so I busy all day, and often pulling 9-12hrs on our weekly voice record days. (and running up and down the stairs from my office to the recording studio on the ground floor!) I'd help with the script, chase down the showrunner or directors for something, send LOTS of emails, conform boards, etc etc. I worked my ass off, wasn't paid much (this was before the big push to unionize production workers), but I look back on that time so fondly. This was before all the merger bs really kicked in, so we had a healthy amount of free food/drinks, my beloved bagel Fridays, the most amazing yearly Halloween party, and awesome bi-weekly summer BBQs on the roof. I landed this production gig after YEARS of job hunting. I think I had... roughly $70 in my bank account before my first paycheck hit? I was working miserable retail and cutting it really close. But getting to work in that building, with the hindsight I have now, was an incredible privilege, and I look back on those busy, crazy times fondly.”

“After twelve years I'm at what may be the end of my career in film. Frankly, I'm terrified of trying to find somewhere else to work, because I don't know how I'll ever find another job that makes me as happy as being on set. That said, this shit is HARD and ultimately the vets who let newcomers know at the outset are doing them a service. There are definitely people in the industry who are jaded assholes. In my experience, a lot of them are older folks who feel they never reached the heights they imagined for themselves. Some are beat down from decades of a hard lifestyle, but have to keep a roof over their kids' heads. Others are just damaged from the jump, which is kind of to be expected in the arts. You have to learn to let all of the above roll off your back and focus on your own journey.”