What an Assistant Editor at Warner Bros. Discovery Wishes They Knew Before Entering the TV Industry
Morgan, an Assistant Editor at Warner Bros. Discovery, advises aspiring television professionals to realistically assess the freelance nature of the industry, noting that "the boom of peak TV is over," resulting in less consistent work. The advice given is to develop supplementary skills or income streams to navigate potential periods of unemployment between short-term contracts, emphasizing the importance of preparation for this reality.
Freelance Work, Financial Planning, Job Search Strategies, Industry Trends, Adaptability
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Morgan Hinshaw
Assistant Editor
Warner Bros. Discovery
Loyola Marymount University
N/A
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Creative
Scholarship Recipient, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. The freelance nature of TV work means short-term contracts and no guarantee of rehire, necessitating financial preparedness.
2. Navigating periods without work is crucial; having savings and a supplementary skillset is highly beneficial.
3. The industry landscape is changing, with shorter seasons and less consistent work, making financial planning and diversification of skills even more important.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone had told you before you entered the industry?
I think I had rose-colored glasses on about what it would be like to be freelance. I technically knew, but I didn't realize how challenging it would be to find job after job.
If you specifically go into TV, you're not hired by a company. For example, I work for Warner Brothers, but only for one season at a time. My contract is over then, so there's no guarantee I'll be hired back.
It's smart to learn how to navigate having significant savings and making preparations for long breaks between jobs. This is especially true with how things are changing now. The boom of "peak TV" is over, and it's more challenging to have consistent work.
The number of episodes per season has also decreased from the typical 20-episode seasons to now around 10. This means there's more space between jobs.
My advice to prepare for that would be to find an additional skill or a side job to supplement your income. This gives you something to turn to if you have a long break. Being okay with that and accepting it is important. It's better to be prepared for that possibility than not.