The Disappearing Act of Hollywood Assistants: What's Really Happening?

As Hollywood continues to navigate the aftermath of last year's strikes, which secured certain protections for writers and actors, a troubling trend is emerging for those entering the industry—assistant positions are vanishing amid climbing entry-level job barriers. Workers across the entertainment spectrum are sounding the alarm about shrinking assistant roles and unrealistic job requirements, all while taking home meager salaries that struggle to keep pace with rampant living costs.

Alex Rubin, co-leader of Pay Up Hollywood, a grassroots initiative advocating for fair pay and safe working conditions for support staff, explains the growing challenges. "To land an entry-level job, you now need to be overqualified," Rubin asserts. During her own job hunt, she applied to over 100 positions and credits her New York City experience for landing a role as a showrunner's assistant in January 2022. "I've been told it's more challenging to secure an assistant position than to get your first writing gig."

The decline in assistant roles is compounded by various factors beyond the strikes themselves, including aggressive layoffs, budget cuts, and increased consolidation among the major studios. These maneuvers are propelled by a relentless quest for profitability in an increasingly competitive streaming landscape—a shift that seems to prioritize the interests of upper management and shareholders over those of aspiring Hollywood workers.

Liz Alper, a TV writer and producer and co-lead of Pay Up Hollywood, agrees: "This industry doesn't sustain itself for the workers. It's being restructured to maximize profits for those at the top, yet the narrative pushed on aspiring employees is that they simply lack the necessary experience."

Despite these trends, entry-level roles such as working in the mailroom continue to be viewed as valuable stepping stones within the industry. A former mailroom clerk at a prominent talent agency shares insights about the position, noting a significant influx of LinkedIn inquiries—about five daily—seeking advice on how to break into this tier. Their successful placement was due to personal agency connections.

Working in the mailroom entails a range of responsibilities, from mail sorting and package shipments to moving furniture for high-stakes industry events—often while dressed in business attire. Current clerks emphasize the importance of viewing this role as a career investment, though they must also balance financial stability.

One former clerk candidly reflects, "I couldn’t imagine staying in the mailroom for two years only to see my salary remain at minimum wage, but for those committed to becoming agents, it was worth it." The experience provides unique exposure to various facets of the industry while fostering connections with agents and other mailroom staff—an essential component for aspiring talent navigating their paths.

"I want to discover my strengths and passions," shares one current clerk, underscoring a desire to find their place within the vast tapestry of Hollywood. With the industry landscape shifting dramatically, the journey for many assistants may be more challenging than ever, raising questions about who will be left to carry the Hollywood torch into the future.

As these trends unfold, industry enthusiasts and curious observers alike are left wondering: Will the next generation of Hollywood talent be relegated to the shadows, or will they overcome the rising hurdles to shine in the spotlight? Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the underlying changes in Hollywood’s labor landscape and what it means for the future of aspiring entertainment professionals.