Working For Free

Entertainment--specifically, film and TV (and politics)--may be the last industry in America where it is expected, even encouraged, that "newbies" work long hours for no wages whatsoever. In front of the camera, the insiders may joke about it ("I can't technically pay you." "You just described Slavery." -- Community, Season 5 Episode 1), but among themselves the culture of running an "Intern" into the hospital for a single college credit is seen as completely natural. I ended up there three times myself during Graduate school. The Black Swan case woke up many people outside the industry, but for how long, and what does it mean for the struggling entertainment dreamer right now?

Well first of all, it means that you should respect yourself. If someone is treating you poorly, say so. Yes, I went to the hospital, more than once, for exhaustion, but it was on projects I believed in and in some cases controlled. Never allow anyone to be a "slavedriver" to you externally or berate you in front of others. There are a lot of big egos in Hollywood, and most of them are just oversized balloons. They have no reason to be petty except that that they can. Nobody, as yet, has taken the time to pop them. Be the sharp object they need. Sure, Hollywood is all about who you know, but that means knowing, and being known by, the right people. People who want to work. To be professional. To treat other people like they ought to be treated. Trust me, there are more of them than any other kind.

Those are the ones worth carrying the water for.