Writer’s Assistant Purgatory
Posted in Business, Education on Oct 26th, 2010
One of the most prescient pieces of advice I received was from a showrunner buddy of mine. He said that it was imperative for me to do anything else besides work as an assistant while working towards for a staff writing gig – what he specifically said was, “Go hang cabinets until you get hired. But assistants tend to be seen as assistants…not writers.” This guy’s been a pro for almost twenty years and his resumé is all high-line stuff, so I greatly value his advice.
Which isn’t to say I haven’t interviewed for assistant gigs in the past. The recent past, in fact. But it was probably telling that the last EP I met with kindly turned me down by saying, “You’re a writer – not an assistant”.
So the article I’m linking to at “L.A. Magazine” has special significance for me. I’ll tell you up front – this is a tough read for aspiring scribes like us. But it’s a splash of realism that we could probably all use as a touchstone when considering our futures in the TV business.
Enjoy!
5 Responses to “ “Writer’s Assistant Purgatory”
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That certainly was an article that hits close to home for myself. But it doesn’t mention that there are many exceptions to the rule of WA’s not moving up.
It helps if you are not the usual Joe White Guy from New York trying to break in like thousands others exactly like you. Networks are always under pressure to comply with diversity initiatives. So if you are a desirable ethnic minority or woman or both you might find yourself in the right place at the right time if you are a bright and ambitious. A producer of a popular prime-time animated show explained that she got to be a staff writer from being a WA because she wanted to be one and the network demanded the producers to find a minority candidate.
I am not an ethnic minority but I got my first TV writing shot as not only as a WA but as a temp as well.
Being an assistant is not for everyone. Some people literally do not have the capacity to work for other people; other people don’t have the capacity to push themselves to the next level.
That said, this article depressed me unspeakably. People do get marooned in these jobs and never make the leap to the next level, and god forbid, I might be one of them.
But let’s keep in mind that a) the author of the piece is a former assistant-never-turned-TV-writer — and not in any position to impartially consider whether these jobs pay off and b) there are nowhere near as many examples of the payoff scenario in the article. (Actually, are there any?)
Writers’ assistants do get scripts, and they do get staffed. And truthfully, I think the age of the folks interviewed speaks to another truth: 20 years ago, there weren’t that many options for assistants to move up. Every year since has been better than the one before.
And yes, of course I’m going to say that: I’m a writers’ assistant and I would very much like a freelance script
You guys both bring up solid points – I didn’t mean to imply that the WA/PA route is no longer a valid way to end up with a produced script. Obviously, it depends very much on the room (and who’s running it) but there’s a reason we’re all trying to get the jobs. Freelance possibility + connections = awesomeness.
That said, I try to pass along anything I hear from credible pros and the idea that folks don’t have to end up an assistant before getting staffed is a potent idea for someone like me.
Of course, we all know the MOST important thing is to keep writing writing writing! And then write something else.
Wow, I never thought about that. Being a writer’s assistant always just seemed like the logical first step. Very interesting indeed.
Melissa Rosenberg (formerly of Dexter) said she will not hire a staff writer who was not first a writer’s assistant. I think it is dependent on who your showrunner is and their own philosophy.