ICYMI: Where the Jobs Are; Doc Drama; TV News Star $$ Falling
Catch up on our recent best
We hear about the job stats and headlines. But the human impact of what is happening to entertainment’s workforce was felt acutely felt over here this week after we sent out our new Series Business newsletter on Monday.
Our piece was called “Where the Jobs Are Now (And Not)” and it quickly drove an avalanche of subscribers.
Elaine Low offered reasons to keep going, highlighting opportunities people might not have considered using information gleaned through interviews with execs and headhunters (‘Survive ‘til 25’ has become a mantra in the industry). Also our new London correspondent, Manori Ravindran, revealed the jobs situation on her end of the pond. Among the areas covered in the piece:
The career fields still growing in Hollywood at studios and elsewhere.
The area you’re probably not thinking of for new jobs.
Where executive recruiters are placing Hollywood pros.
The future of creative jobs for the next 12-18 months.
A pivot to FASTs.
If gaming is still a viable plan B for entertainment execs.
Whether you’re planning your next move, or hoping to just stay in the industry, please have a look at Elaine’s guide.
Separately, one bit of housekeeping. We see many of you habitually forwarding every issue of The Ankler to your entire office or team. We appreciate the enthusiasm, but please respect the fact that we run a business here too. We will be reaching out to some of you personally in the coming weeks as each subscription is meant for one paying subscriber. Reminder: We offer group subscriptions at 10 percent off, individual subscriptions and gift subscriptions, and are happy to help with any of the above.
Lastly, remember to catch our team on 89.3 LAist, NPR’s #1 station in L.A., every Thursday. This past week, Elaine was on “Morning Edition” to talk jobs, and Sean McNulty hit “All Things Considered” to talk the Disney-WBD-Fox sports streaming announcement.
And now, our best of the week, ICYMI:
What Happened to the Once-Hot Doc Market?
Streamers were once smitten with small stories. Then came celebs, sports stars and true crime. But Peter Kiefer, back from Sundance, saw glimmers that a tiny gold rush could be back:
Sinking TV News Salaries
MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow and Fox News’ Sean Hannity command $30 million and $25 million a year, respectively. But, as Claire Atkinson reported, the days of eight-figure host paydays look to be coming to a close, with budget cuts, linear’s death spiral, and AI anchors here:
Why Do We Treat Theatrical So Badly?
Richard lays out a blueprint for the future of a successful theatrical business, including less streamer scapegoating, supporting the development of more stars, and — gah! — abandoning film critics:
The Double Exposure Effect
Acting nominees Emma Stone, Colman Domingo, Jodie Foster, Lily Gladstone and Sandra Huller all have the benefit of having two great roles out at once. Will the multiple exposures help Oscar chances? (Just don’t ask Eddie Murphy about Norbit.) Gregg Kilday investigates:
☀️THE WAKEUP
Again, we’ll repeat, if you aren’t already starting your day with Sean McNulty’s morning business newsletter, you’re not even in the same conversation as the smartest people working in entertainment:
🎧 PODCASTS
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THE ANKLER
Disney’s Next Decade A new 'sports Hulu', gaming and the future of linear TV and film come into focus:
MARTINI SHOT
If Lucy Ran a TV Network Rob Long on how to out-psych the sting of the football being pulled out from under:
👓 THE OPTIONIST
IP Picks🔎: A Sriracha Feud Gets Spicy Plus, a haunting quartet of horror short stories
FINAL HOUSEKEEPING!
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