Since graduating in 2024 from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, 22-year-old Brandy Hernandez has applied to nearly 200 entertainment jobs, rarely receiving any response. While she never expected instant success, she assumed entry-level roles would be within reach. Yet, due to production slowdowns from the pandemic, historic California wildfires, and dual Hollywood strikes, the industry has become increasingly hostile to newcomers. A recent move by President Trump to impose 100% tariffs on foreign-made films adds further uncertainty, prompting studios to cut costs and eliminate junior positions once considered a stepping stone into the business.
Graduates like Ryan Gimeson, who finished film school during the 2023 writers’ strike, feel disillusioned. Industry veterans acknowledge the unprecedented challenges. Tom Nunan, with four decades in the business, calls this the most disruptive period he’s seen. The Writers Guild of America reports a 42% drop in TV writing jobs during the 2023–2024 season, with a third of those cuts affecting junior-level roles.
The scarcity has prolonged entry-level tenures and limited upward mobility, leaving fewer openings for new graduates. The shift from network TV to streaming has drastically reduced writing opportunities. A decade ago, networks like The CW offered hundreds of staff writing slots. Now, binge-driven streaming formats require fewer writers, fewer episodes, and offer shorter contracts.
Some, like Peter Gerard, who moved to Los Angeles in 2023, were caught unaware by the downturn. Others, like Jill Goldsmith, recall more serendipitous eras when chance encounters could launch a career. But today’s aspiring writers are met with fear, stagnation, and few opportunities. Even those who secure jobs, like 26-year-old Lore Olivera, acknowledge the fleeting nature of their positions and the industry’s reluctance to take chances on fresh voices.
Still, many aren’t giving up. Chapman University graduate Jolaya Gillams decries the obsession with remakes and hopes for a revival of originality. In the meantime, she, Hernandez, and others are turning to self-initiated projects—creating films with no budget, winning awards, and pursuing their passion independently. For many, personal fulfillment is becoming the new definition of success.
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