Posted on 11/02/2019 9:48:09 AM PDT by NoLibZone
Four years ago, Christina Mondy arrived in Hollywood like many, with big dreams. At 23, hers was to become a showbiz writer. And like many, the Connecticut native was told in order to get her foot in the door, she first had to pay her dues as an assistant.
After an unpaid internship at a boutique management and production firm, Mondy landed a job as a full-time assistant at a major talent agency. But instead of pushing her that much closer to realizing her writing ambitions, Mondy says, It all came crashing down on me.
Over the course of nearly a year, Mondy worked 50-plus-hour weeks, she said, making $11.25 an hour. Barely getting by, she had to defer her student loans. She said she was subjected to constant verbal abuse by a boss, and that an agent had her stake out a comedy club for weeks to see if a comic hed noticed on Twitter showed up.
She said she wasnt reimbursed for gas and was discouraged from seeking overtime pay. When she complained to HR about her treatment, Mondy said, she was told, Maybe this industry isnt right for you. After making a scheduling error, she said, she was fired.
Being an assistant in Hollywood has long ranked among the most thankless jobs in the industry. Subjected to grueling hours, low pay, few benefits or protections and the vagaries of monomaniacal bosses, assistants have largely toiled in silence because it was considered a golden ticket to advancement but no longer.
The plight of Hollywood assistants gained currency last month after Chernobyl screenwriter Craig Mazin and John August, writer of Aladdin, devoted a portion of their podcast, Scriptnotes to the subject.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Yeah, and it’s a huge dog eat dog world too- everyone betraying everyone to get ahead- no thanks- the majority of people will fail- some will get rich- it’s just like gold prospecting- almost all will go broke trying, a few will get rich- but those that do will have to invest everything over and over again- taking massive risks- knowing it could all come crumbling down-
It’s a hard hard life unless someone is super talented, hard working, and gets lucky being discovered-
But like the starving artists said “I paint because I must”- Art just has a way of infecting a person- The smart ones realize their limits, and drop out and pursue other career choices, OR recognize their own talent (If they are truly talented), and keep at it and give it a shot, succeed or fail-
The infection of art is a terrible thing- and only a rare few are actually good enough to become legends-
Here on Long Island she could get 29.00 per hour as a flag girl on the road electrial and underground gas crews. Good money for zero dkill. In her off time she could write write write and submit submit submit...until, if ever, someone gives a damn. That is how you make it as a writer.
Life is hard when you have no marketable skills.
Don’t forget the handsome young men willing to do the same, that’s always been a part of Hollywood, too. Right along with a ready supply of children and underage victims.
I once had a dream of becoming a Key Grip.
At least they don’t have to put out anymore.
Instead of burning all of California, just burn Hollywood.
Cronyist Hollywood is like other US industries: pay low wages and let the US taxpayer subsidize the rest.
You're right. I knew a fellow who lived in a big fancy house in Big Sur, CA, but he was the caretaker, made almost nothing. Also volunteered for the fire department, which was money when there was a fire, thank goodness not often. His book was eventually turned into a movie. I don't know how much he was paid, lost track of him, but was happy that he had that much success.
Cry me a river!
I started as A US Marine at $78 a month with 168 hour work weeks.
On the plus side my employer provided the ammo.
They get the opportunity to build Twitter and Instagram followings which for young people today is more valuable than designer goods.
The high end freebies would come in handy to sell on Ebay for much needed cash. That’s what I would do with it if I made $11.25 an hour.
And the #metoo movement is made up of the 100 that didnt
For as bad as FatHarv is, for every one who said no 200x said yes
Gated communities Private security, especially armed All white hoods. Elite schools
Multiple homes, private jets. Extravagant consumerism
If you choose to work for The Devil, don’t complain when you find yourself in Hell.
The economy is based on cheap labor from illegal aliens to unpaid assistants.
Hollywood dangles the 'one day you'll be discovered' dream.
A few may be 'discovered' and advance. Most will struggle to get by holding on to 'the dream'.
Watch the movie. “Swimming with Sharks”. ,pretty good portrayal of Hollywood and assistants.
Welcome to Hollywood, kid. Why did you think working for a talent agent was going to be a nice thing? They’re monsters. You have to be brought up within their culture to survive.
Exactly. You would be hard pressed to come across a successful person - one who can really say he made it - who worked just a 40-hour week.
Those who insist on 40-hour weeks and do nothing more can expect to never rise above worker drone.
My question to her: are you any good at writing?
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