Navigating Work in the US Media Industries

Navigating Work in the US Media Industries offers a critical introduction to launching a career and working in the U.S. media industries. Drawing on interviews with industry professionals ranging from production assistants to CEOs, this book demystifies Hollywood's cultures, practices, terms, and norms. Along with sharing these professionals’ experiences, the authors model how to analyse career insights as industry discourse, teaching readers to critically examine how different positions, identities, and career stages can influence one’s experiences in and conceptions of the media industries. Each of the thirteen chapters provides topical overviews, defines essential terms, contextualizes interview excerpts, poses discussion questions, and closes with recommended readings. Topics covered range from securing beneficial internships to navigating labor organizations, from financing independent films to measuring audience reactions. By grounding concepts like authorship, conglomeration, and financialization in the lived experiences of working professionals, this book equips future media professionals with the tools needed to engage with industry discourse, contextualize career advice, and navigate potential obstacles they may encounter in their careers. This book is an invaluable resource for students, scholars, and aspiring professionals wishing to better understand the business of film, television, and digital media, and essential reading for those seeking a future career in the U.S. media industries.