Why is the entertainment industry so hard to enter?
Because everyone wants in. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 2.5 million people work in entertainment and media in the US alone. Jobs range from screenwriting to set design to sound mixing. But demand outpaces supply. For every open role, there are dozens—sometimes hundreds—of applicants.
Even entry-level gigs require connections. One assistant job at a streaming platform got over 3,000 applicants in 24 hours. That’s not an exaggeration. It was posted for a single day.
So how do you compete?
Build credibility before chasing jobs
Start with projects, not positions
You don’t need a big break. You need a small start. Start by working on projects—even unpaid ones—that you can use as proof.
Sarah, a video editor based in Austin, made highlight reels for local bands for free. She posted them online. Three of those bands went viral. One landed on the Spotify top 50. She didn’t apply anywhere. They came to her.
You don’t need to work in Hollywood. You need something that shows what you can do.
Post your work, even if no one’s watching
YouTube, TikTok, and podcast platforms give you a portfolio without needing approval. Build that feed. Treat it like a resume.
Don’t wait for followers. Use it to get meetings.
What if you don’t live in LA or New York?
Location matters less than it used to
Many jobs are now remote. Production can happen anywhere. Writers rooms are on Zoom. Editing is done in home studios. What matters more is skill, consistency, and networking.
Still, visit industry hubs if you can. Go to film festivals. Attend creator meetups. Take workshops with working professionals. Get in the room, even just for a weekend.
Local experience still counts
Community theatre. Local news. Indie music videos. These all give real experience. Don’t wait for permission to make something. Build your resume from your town.
How do you get noticed?
It’s not who you know. It’s who knows you
That means your name needs to come up in conversations. People need to say, “You should talk to Kai—he’s great with motion graphics.”
That starts with outreach. Send short, specific emails. One Chicago-based assistant got their job by emailing, “Hey, I loved how your team edited episode 3. Can I send you my reel?” It worked. The editor replied.
You don’t need to network with everyone. Just start with five people. Follow their work. Support their projects. Then, ask questions that show you’re paying attention.
Keep your reputation clean
The entertainment world is small. One viral mistake can tank your chances. That’s why personal branding tools like Reputation Riot exist—to help creators protect their names and clean up old messes before they cost them jobs.
In a reputation-obsessed industry, search results matter.
What roles are easiest to break into?
Look for technical or crew roles
Camera operators, audio assistants, editors, and PAs are always needed. These jobs don’t require fame. They require reliability.
If you’re reliable, professional, and quick to learn, you’ll get called back.
Consider new media
Streaming platforms, esports, and podcast production are growing fast. According to PwC, podcast ad revenue hit $2 billion in 2023 and is still rising.
These platforms have fewer gatekeepers. You can find paid gigs faster if you know how to cut audio or prep livestreams.
Should you go to school for this?
Depends on your goal
Film schools help with networking. You’ll meet future directors and producers in class. That’s valuable.
But you can also learn skills online. Editing, colour grading, sound design—all are teachable without paying $100,000.
Some people do both. One storyboard artist we spoke to went to school for animation, then took an online rigging course that helped her land freelance gigs.
Don’t take on massive debt unless it’s worth the network
Ask schools how many grads land jobs in your field. Ask who teaches the classes. Don’t just look at brochures.
What do beginners usually get wrong?
Waiting too long to start
People try to perfect their first script or video for months. That’s a trap. Post the rough version. Make something else. Build volume, not just quality.
One screenwriter said, “My third script got me a manager. But I had to write two awful ones to get there.”
Forgetting it’s a business
If you want to make a living from art, you need to treat it like work. That means showing up on time. Meeting deadlines. Taking feedback.
Talent gets you in the door. Professionalism keeps you in the room.
Final tips for getting started
Start small. Build often. Share early.
Don’t wait for a big chance. Make something now. Then make the next thing better.
Ask smart questions
People remember curiosity. Instead of “Can I pick your brain?” ask, “How did you land your first gig as a showrunner?”
Keep your name clean
Google yourself. Fix what you find. If needed, talk to companies like Reputation Riot that help clean up old posts, bad links, or false info.
Your name is your brand. Protect it.
Play the long game
This industry rewards patience. Most overnight successes took ten years. Stay in the game.
Entertainment isn’t easy, but it is possible. Start with what you have. Build what you can. And keep going, even when no one’s watching—yet.
