Where Did All the Hollywood Assistants Go?

Where Did All the Hollywood Assistants Go?

As a seasoned observer of the Hollywood landscape, I find myself deeply troubled by the current state of entry-level jobs within the industry. The tales of assistant positions being cut and the escalating requirements to secure them, while pay remains stagnant amidst a surging cost of living, resonate all too well with me.


Although last year’s Hollywood strikes provided some benefits for writers and actors, numerous lower-tier employees have reported an increase in barriers when trying to secure entry-level positions post-strike.

Throughout various sectors, it’s been reported that numerous entry-level assistant positions are being eliminated, and the qualifications for these openings are becoming more stringent. Simultaneously, wages remain stagnant despite an escalating cost of living.

According to Alex Rubin, a co-leader of Pay Up Hollywood, it’s necessary to be more qualified than required for an entry-level position in the industry. Even before the strike, Rubin applied to over 100 jobs and believes she only landed a showrunner’s assistant role in January 2022 due to her diverse experience in various industries in New York. Rubin further explains that getting an assistant job can sometimes be more challenging than securing your first writing job.

The concentration of assistant roles in the entertainment industry can’t be solely blamed on strikes, but rather the strategic actions taken by big entertainment companies during and after these events, such as layoffs, cost-cutting initiatives, consolidation within studios, delayed or cancelled projects, and an increased emphasis from Wall Street on turning streaming platforms into profit.

Liz Alper, TV writer and producer, and co-lead of Pay Up Hollywood, states that this industry is not self-sustaining and was never intended for the benefit of workers. Instead, it’s being manipulated to boost profits for executives and high-ranking individuals. Simultaneously, they claim that inexperienced people are the reason for its operations.

Regardless of the current situation, a mailroom job – where figures like Michael Ovitz and David Geffen initially made their mark – is generally considered an advantageous stepping stone into this particular field.

A previous employee from a prominent talent agency recounts to The Hollywood Reporter that during their tenure, they’d regularly receive around five LinkedIn inquiries daily seeking advice on landing the role. This individual, choosing to stay unnamed, managed to secure the position through a connection within the agency.

In the mailroom, responsibilities encompass handling mail, shipping packages, moving furniture for events while dressed professionally, wrapping gifts for clients following extensive training in gift-wrapping, and routing calls to agents’ assistants. A present employee at a significant talent agency explains, “I believe that when you’re in a job like this, you understand it’s a career investment, but at the same time, you have to be financially savvy.

The ex-mailroom worker comments: ” Frankly, I found it hard to comprehend spending two years in the mailroom only to end up with the same minimum wage at a desk. However, for those who aspired to be agents, it seemed worthwhile to them.

Working in the mailroom offers a unique opportunity to learn about various sectors within the agency and connect with agents and colleagues from the mailroom. This experience could help identify one’s strengths, interests, and passions, ultimately guiding the choice of future career path. As one current clerk expresses, “I want to discover where I excel and what truly motivates me. Once I do that, I’ll know where I belong.

Originally published in the October 30th edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To get your own copy, simply click here to subscribe.

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2024-11-04 22:24