The disappearance of the middle class of the entertainment industry

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Why it matters: Those who come to Hollywood from middle-class backgrounds in Los Angeles don’t have family in the Midwest to move home to — and they’re not interested in uprooting themselves to move elsewhere. In a consulting assignment that offers freedom but requires constant hustle and bustle, once the basics are sorted out in Los Angeles, this 43-year-old person not only has no money left for retirement, but also no vacation and is no longer able to dependent on financial support from their parents. Costco sells staples like toilet paper and paper towels.

A Producer’s Predicament: This development producer accepted a voluntary buyout from a major entertainment company. Now they work as independent consultants, their salary is about $3,000 to $4,500 a month, and she and her spouse stick to a strict budget that allows only occasional indulgences ($100 a month to splurge on a trip or to treat yourself to other delicacies).

Continue like this: The producer says that there are days that are so depressing that they don’t want to get out of bed, especially when they hear about friends and colleagues being fired. But they still choose to move forward, develop projects, support creators and build community.

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This story is published in collaboration with The anklea paid subscription publication about the entertainment industry.