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The Changing Economics of TV and Why it Matters to You!Here's the number that should shape how you plan this year. The WGA West's annual report, covered by Deadline, found about 5,072 writers reported earnings in 2025, down from nearly 7,000 in 2022. That's 27% fewer people earning. But total writer earnings were $1.7bn, down just 1.3% year on year. Same money, far fewer people getting a slice of it. That's the squeeze in one line. The industry isn't broke. It's just hiring fewer of us. Seasons got short, and that changes everythingParrot Analytics found the share of US scripted shows releasing seasons of more than 20 episodes fell from 19% in 2018 to 4.5% in 2023 (parrotanalytics.com). A 22-episode network season used to mean eight to ten months of steady work. An eight-episode streaming season can be ten to fourteen weeks. So a credit no longer equals a year of employment. It means more job hunts per year, slower accrual of union hours, and a lot more dependence on the same team calling you back. FX's John Landgraf counted 516 adult scripted US originals in 2023, down 14% on 2022 (The Hollywood Reporter). He also said the industry has "radically increased the cost of making television in season one" (Variety). Expensive first seasons, fewer of them, shorter runs. The reality TV door narrowed tooThis one stings. Unscripted has always been the easiest way in — PA, story assistant, AP, no union gatekeeping. FilmLA reported reality TV down about 42% in Q3 2025, among its worst quarters in fifteen years (FOX 11 LA). Full-year 2025 in LA came in at 19,694 shoot days, roughly 16% below 2024 and the lowest outside 2020, with TV more than 50% below its five-year average (THR). There is a counterweight. California expanded its film and TV tax credit to $750m, and FilmLA pointed to 18 new television series planned for the region as an early sign of a rebound. What to actually doFollow the incentive money. Don't assume LA by default — look at where fresh tax credits are pulling shows. Optimize for the re-hire, not the gig. Across short seasons, the people who work steadily are the ones a UPM or coordinator calls again. Be easy to work with. Stay in touch after wrap. Budget for 20 to 30 working weeks, not 40. Plan your money like that's normal, because right now it is. And don't write off unscripted — just don't rely on it as your only route in. - Team MFJF Today's New Jobs203 roles are live on the US board this morning and 22 of them turned up since yesterday, so the newest ones haven't been picked over yet. Recommended Job of the DayWriting & Fundraising Internship is our pick. It's with a documentary production company in the New York City metro area, part-time at roughly 20 to 25 hours a week, building the audience for a feature that's currently in post. You'd be drafting newsletter copy for supporters and helping run fundraising campaigns: the messaging, who to aim it at, the outreach materials, then tracking what actually worked. Good fit if you write well and don't mind chasing numbers. Send a short sample of something persuasive you've written. Worth doing today, because at this level people read applications as they land and start picking a shortlist straight away.
Creative & Production Assistant is with a growing content production company in southern California, and it's a genuine jack-of-all-trades job: shoots, basic edits, graphics, kit and set-up, admin and errands. You'll touch every part of a production. Roles this broad rarely sit around unclaimed, so today is the day to go for it. Office of the President Internship sits inside a major US television studio in the Los Angeles area, supporting the President's office on calls, diaries, research and script reading with honest notes. You'd also shadow the Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant. Few entry-level jobs show you how a studio joins up like this one — don't leave it a day. Also on the board — 203 live roles, 22 new today
If you have questions about these opportunities or would like to discuss your career goals, please feel free to reach out at any time. We’re here to support you! All the Best,
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Upcoming Virtual Workshops Thu 24 Sep, 7:00pm EDTDon’t F*ck Up The Coffee: Getting the Gig, Keeping the Gig Free for members
TV director Andi Armaganian (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Supergirl, Stargirl), who cut 100+ episodes before directing 30+ episodes, explains how entry-level crew actually get hired and, harder still, asked back. She covers the differences between PA roles, how referrals really happen, the on-set habits that quietly end careers, working around a director without overstepping, and turning one job into the next. For anyone chasing their first PA job — no experience needed — you'll leave knowing what "reliable" means to the people doing the hiring. Free for all Members. Book your place Thu 8 Oct, 7:00pm EDTMFJF Monthly Career Clinic Free for members
Starting a career in the film industry is a lonely business, but just imagine each month if you could speak with an experienced filmmaker and get answers to all your questions and concerns. Better still you can share your worries and listen to others, compare notes and learn all the tricks and tips to getting ahead in the Film Industry. Well, now you can via the MFJF Monthly Career Advice Clinic! Come along each month to get your questions answered and learn from our amazing community. The clinic takes the form of a virtual 60-minute workshop hosted by experienced filmmaker Christina Northrup. Christina will present each month and take live Q&A from anyone who wants to talk, if you want to just listen that is absolutely fine. The overall aim of these monthly workshops is to help you establish your film career! Starting a film career can be very lonely, constantly thinking you are on the outside looking in, desperate for somebody to recognise you have what it takes. And the truth is you are not alone, everyone feels the same. Sharing our concerns, listening to others and having an experienced filmmaker pass on her guidance is one very large step in the right… Book your place |
Today's Daily Job ListProduction Assistant Teaneck, New Jersey · Closes 20th September A major broadcast television network is looking for a Production Assistant to join their team in Teaneck, New Jersey. In this job, you'll keep the day-to-day running smoothly: prepping and organising… 2nd Assistant Director, Production GTA, Ontario · Closes 9th September A fiction series shooting this autumn is looking for a non-union 2nd Assistant Director. Prep starts late September and the shoot runs until the end of November, all in the GTA, Ontario. It's paid.
You'll… Various Crew, Production Remote · Closes 9th September An indie filmmaker is looking for Various Crew across Production for a micro drama — a murder mystery with detectives, old trauma and plenty of suspects.
They need people across production, sound… Creative Internship Westland, Michigan · Closes 21st September A creative content company is looking for a Creative Intern to join them part-time in Westland, Michigan. In this job, you'll research pop culture, gaming and narrative trends, then talk through what… Theatre and Motion Picture Assistant New York, New York · Closes 20th September A world-leading full service entertainment, media and sports agency is looking for a Theatre and Motion Picture Assistant in New York. In this job, you'll support a senior agent working across Motion… Wardrobe & Makeup Artist, Production Greater Toronto Area, Nova Scotia · Closes 9th September An independent feature film, a coming of age drama, is looking for a Wardrobe Assistant and an Assistant Makeup Artist. This is a volunteer role, so no pay, but you get a feature film credit out of it.
On… Various Crew, Production GTA, Ontario · Closes 9th September A filmmaking event in the Greater Toronto Area is looking for Various Crew across Production for a final crew call.
We found this one posted in a social media group rather than through an employer we work… Office PA, Production Etobicoke, Ontario · Closes 8th September A non-union Television Series is looking for an Office PA to join their Production team in Etobicoke, Ontario.
The dates run from mid-September through to January, with a break over Christmas. You'll need… Creators Assistant Nashville, Tennessee · Closes 20th September The world's leading full service entertainment, media and sports agency is looking for a Creators Assistant in Nashville, Tennessee. You'd be supporting an Agent in their Creators team, which represents… Junior Lighting Artist Vancouver, British Columbia · Closes 21st September One of Canada's largest independently owned animation studios is looking for a Junior Lighting/Compositing Artist to join their team in Vancouver. You'd be working on feature and episodic CG series for… Office of the President Internship Burbank, California · Closes 20th September A major US television studio is looking for an Office of the President Internship in Burbank, California. You'll support the President alongside her Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant, handling calls… Office of the President Internship Burbank, California · Closes 20th September A major US television studio is looking for an intern to join the Office of the President in Burbank, California. You'll support the President alongside her Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant, handling… Creative & Production Assistant Oceanside, California · Closes 21st September A growing content production company is looking for a Creative & Production Assistant to join their team in Oceanside, California. This is a proper jack-of-all-trades job. You'll help out on shoots and… Digital Design Internship Lysaker, All States · Closes 20th September A world-leading image sensor and semiconductor business is looking for a Digital Design Intern, running in the Summer of 2027. You'll join an international team designing advanced CMOS image sensors… Writing & Fundraising Internship New York City Metropolitan Area, New York · Closes 11th September A documentary Production Company is looking for a Writing & Fundraising Internship in the New York City Metropolitan Area. As the intern, you'll help build the audience for a feature documentary currently… |
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