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For this Hollywood writer, the upcoming Emmys underscore the industry's uncertainties
This year's Emmys comes at a hard time for many in the industry.
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Valerie Macon
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AFP via Getty Images
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Topline:
With the Emmys on Sunday night, this tale of a writer who works on an Emmy-nominated series is a poignant look at the current precarity that has come to define Hollywood in 2024. Even with success, this person is still worried about the tides turning once again and their career suffering a setback.
Why it matters: In entertainment, particularly if you’re a writer, you may work for a period, and then you might have a dry spell where you’re making no money. At a time when the whole business is in flux, though, that problem has only gotten worse, leaving many writers and other Hollywood professionals alike waiting for the other shoe to drop even as they’re experiencing success.
An ephemeral gig: Despite going from tending bar in 2023 to making $220,000 this year, this particular writer explains how the job “doesn’t really feel real.” Instead, it comes off very ephemeral and leaves them feeling anxious about their financial security. So, they opted for a house on three acres of the Midwest in addition to an L.A. apartment they sublet.
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After the big break: When you work on a show that’s up for awards, you may then find yourself in demand for other series. But this writer is frustrated by a series of “fake jobs” that they call “really expensive R&D.” Few shows actually get made, so the development process on new ones can feel particularly fruitless.
For more . . . read the full story on The Ankler.
This story is published in partnership with The Ankler, a paid subscription publication about the entertainment industry.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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