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Job outlook for content producers in the United States
Are content producer jobs in demand?
Content producer job and salary trends over time
Content producer jobs over time
Content producer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,116 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 965 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,043 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 958 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 949 | 0.00% |
Average content producer salary over time
Content producer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $56,255 | $27.05 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | $54,797 | $26.34 | +3.8% |
| 2023 | $52,779 | $25.37 | +0.1% |
| 2022 | $52,735 | $25.35 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | $52,242 | $25.12 | +3.7% |
Content producer jobs by state
Most common states for content producers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 131 | 19% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 36 | 6% |
| 3 | New York | 19,849,399 | 733 | 4% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 300 | 4% |
| 5 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 115 | 4% |
| 6 | California | 39,536,653 | 1,172 | 3% |
| 7 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 328 | 3% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 244 | 3% |
| 9 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 219 | 3% |
| 10 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 167 | 3% |
| 11 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 167 | 3% |
| 12 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 139 | 3% |
| 13 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 122 | 3% |
| 14 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 58 | 3% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 33 | 3% |
| 16 | Delaware | 961,939 | 25 | 3% |
| 17 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 23 | 3% |
| 18 | Alaska | 739,795 | 20 | 3% |
| 19 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 19 | 3% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 15 | 3% |
Most common cities for content producers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Culver City | 6 | 15% | $71,479 |
| 2 | Needham | 4 | 14% | $48,432 |
| 3 | Fayetteville | 1 | 1% | $45,335 |
| 4 | Gainesville | 1 | 1% | $53,641 |
| 5 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $67,731 |
| 6 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $48,336 |
| 7 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $45,165 |
| 8 | Colorado Springs | 1 | 0% | $46,971 |
| 9 | Fort Worth | 1 | 0% | $45,382 |
| 10 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $71,494 |
| 11 | Philadelphia | 1 | 0% | $47,700 |
| 12 | San Francisco | 1 | 0% | $75,064 |
| 13 | Scottsdale | 1 | 0% | $47,955 |
| 14 | Washington | 1 | 0% | $55,780 |
Content Producer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of content producer experts
California State University - Los Angeles
Mercy College
Texas Woman's University
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Furman University
Truman State University
University of South Alabama
University of Kentucky
Olympic College
Longwood University
University of Wisconsin - Madison
University of Toledo
Susquehanna University
Webster University
Columbia College Chicago
Drexel University
Baylor University
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
American Society of Magazine Editors
What will help Content Producers increase their earning potential?
Uziel Colón Ramos: Make sure that you acquire as many skills as possible, and don’t stop learning once you get a job. This way you will be ready to tackle anything that comes your way. You need to be ready to wear many hats in the music universe; long are the days when you only focused on one thing. This will also give you the opportunity to have extra income by having a second job where you consult or get hired for small projects.
What Content Producer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sam Stauff: Audio production used to be just audio but now we are seeing visual arts become a part of the producer's role. Video editing, social media, WebDesign, merch posters you will need to be able to do all of that for yourself if you are an artist. If you can help your artists do these things as well you will become more valuable.
What general advice would you give to a Content Producer?
Dr. Aimée Myers Ph.D.: First, network and make connections in your desired field, whether it's publishing, journalism, education, marketing/advertising, etc. Attend industry events, join professional associations, and connect with alumni from your university. Also, use that network to gain relevant experience through mentorships, internships, freelancing, and entry-level positions. Second, stay current with trends in digital media, content marketing, SEO writing and leverage new technologies shaping communications fields. Third, consider getting additional certifications or training in specialized areas like technical writing, copywriting, digital content creation, teaching English as a second language, etc. This can make you more marketable.
What Content Producer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Aimée Myers Ph.D.: Digital literacy, multimedia creating/editing, intercultural communication, content curation/management.
What will help Content Producers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Aimée Myers Ph.D.: First, learn how to negotiate. Research typical salaries for the roles and industries you're interested in, and be prepared to negotiate your compensation package effectively, highlighting the value you can bring to the employer. Along those lines, attend negotiating workshops, especially if you are a woman. Second, really showcase your soft skills. Soft skills like communication, teamwork, and creativity are often seen in English majors more than any other academic area. These soft skills are often transferable across different jobs and industries, and they play a crucial role in helping individuals succeed in their careers, build strong professional relationships, and contribute effectively to their organizations. Employers are requesting graduates with these skills more and more.
What general advice would you give to a Content Producer?
Ann Amicucci Ph.D.: You can maximize your earning potential at the start of your career by gaining diverse experience. Seek internship opportunities that complement but don't repeat what you're learning in college so you can show employers how your internship stretched what you're able to do. If you haven't graduated yet, look for classes that will enhance the type of employee you can be. For example, adding a course in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, cross-cultural communication, interpersonal communication, marketing, or leadership and talking about what you've learned in that course in an interview will show employers that you're thinking broadly about what it means to write and communicate effectively in a workplace.
What Content Producer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ann Amicucci Ph.D.: As we continue to face a glut of digital information in our daily lives, the ability to connect with an audience in meaningful ways through writing will become increasingly important. No matter what field you work in, you'll have a message to get across to someone else. Your English degree will help you consider the humanity of that message: Who is on the receiving end? What state of mind are they in when they're considering what you have to say? What state of mind do you hope to put them in? Being a compassionate and conscientious communicator who thinks critically about how a message comes across will help you stand out in the coming years of information overload.
What will help Content Producers increase their earning potential?
Ann Amicucci Ph.D.: A college degree opens so many doors, so keep an open mind about the career paths you can pursue with a degree in English. Say you're interested in a career in publishing. Think broadly about the types of publishing companies you apply to: in addition to those that publish novels or nonfiction books you read, expand your search to include textbook publishers, religious publishers, and publishers of children's books. Also, consider what other companies would give you experience that will make you competitive for a publishing job. You might apply to grant writing jobs or social media management positions and use that writing experience as a stepping stone into the publishing world. Make sure to visit your college's career center for advice on where to look for job openings.
Professor Margaret Oakes
Professor of EnglishFurman University
English Language And Literature
What will help Content Producers increase their earning potential?
Professor Margaret Oakes: Our graduates have such a variety of careers with an English major that this is hard to answer. But perhaps this is the answer - English majors have such widely applicable skills that they need to be alert to how they can be applied almost anywhere, and be prepared to sell their skills to a potential employer.
What general advice would you give to a Content Producer?
Dr. Adam Davis: Some patience. The news gets clicks and eyeballs with doom and gloom, but the fact is, people in fields other than professional credentials (nursing, CPA) have always spent a year or two driving cabs and waiting tables. Be persistent, work networks and connections. An English degree is not a career credential; grads tend to teaching, writing/editing/publishing, but also get hired into a wide variety of firms that have use for people who can think about texts and what they mean and make persuasive cases for how to understand a given fact pattern - that's what makes it such a good preparation for law school.
What Content Producer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Adam Davis: At just this moment, getting a living wage is the priority, rather than maximizing salary. You need to get some experience that will let you move outward and upward from that first position. Your goal is a full-time position with bennies, one that uses your gifts. In letters of application and in interviews (REHEARSE for those) -- remember to talk about your hard skills and soft skills - prospective employers are not going to ask. Individualize the application for each job you really want, and think hard about what's most useful to that employer - talk about their needs, rather than why the position would serve your needs and interests. Have a story ready that illustrates how you made use of each trait you're claiming.
What will help Content Producers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Adam Davis: Work with emergent media; learn how to work words beyond writing: podcasts & video, web design, social media, blogging. These are skills easily acquired through YouTube and of great interest to employers. AI is not to be feared, but to be understood and used, and employers are going to be interested when you tell them you know how to make it work for them.
What Content Producer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Doris Frye: Employers consistently tell us that effective communication is both a skill in high demand and one that is often lacking in employees. English majors enter the workforce with exceptional communication and critical thinking skills that are already valued. With the explosion of A.I., these skills will become even more important; English majors' facility with language will become all the more essential. The ability to adapt and respond to A.I. tools will be essential going forward for those with English degrees.
What will help Content Producers increase their earning potential?
Doris Frye: An English degree is exceptionally versatile. While some will go into education, many fields value this degree. When looking for jobs, focus on searching based on employers looking for potential employees with skills in communication, research, and critical thinking rather than just those seeking an English degree. The opportunities are extremely wide: the government, advertising companies, law firms, and almost any industry that requires technical writing skills will all value a degree in English.
Joshua Abboud Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Director of Bachelor of Liberal StudiesUniversity of Kentucky
Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies
What soft skills should all Content Producers possess?
Joshua Abboud Ph.D.: A maintained and active social media presence will publicly demonstrate your writing abilities while also helping you to connect with other writers and job opportunities. As a writer, you always want to be writing, and Twitter is writing, Instagram is writing, etc. They can also be places to announce your current projects. You can only write so much on a resume, but social media allows you to amplify your abilities and keep a record of your work.
In addition to developing your writing ethos, you will have to have a good sense of time management and the ability to focus. You will more than likely be working on several projects simultaneously, with different due dates and requirements. Keeping them all straight and delivering your work on time is critical to acquiring projects in the future. We don't all have the same organizational methods, so you need to know how you work and what workflows are best for you. Then you will need to fine-tune those methods, live with them, make them part of you so that they become part of that writing style you are honing. Writing doesn't always come easy and fast, so the more you can develop a strong sense of organizational skills that are adaptable to the different projects you work on, the more you can manage the requirements of different jobs.
Amy Hesketh
Full Time FacultyOlympic College
Social Sciences & Humanities (SSH) Division
What soft skills should all Content Producers possess?
Amy Hesketh: -Collaboration.
-Teamwork.
-Project management.
-Crew management.
-Professionalism.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Content Producers?
Amy Hesketh: -Film production.
-Videography.
-Video editing.
-Video streaming.
-Budgeting.
-Scheduling.
What skills stand out on Content Producer resumes?
Amy Hesketh: Ability to work with a variety of editing software (Avid, Adobe Premiere Pro/Audition, Resolve). Screenwriting and story development.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Content Producer job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Ryan Stouffer: I think the job market we've seen a lot of different trends here that kind of happened since the pandemic. On the one hand we've seen a lot more opportunity actually believe it or not, so many more organizations realize they need to. Get into social media and they get into the Internet, and they need to tell their stories online right. That's how we're connecting with customers right now is online platforms, as opposed to the traditional you know foot traffic or you know billboards on roads advertisements on radio things like that so.
On one hand there's a lot more opportunity because so many more organizations realize they need to connect and they need to get in this space and the need to tell her story. And to there's a lot more opportunity because space boundaries have kind of been removed as a barrier for a lot of employment and the communication studies field, because. Now I mean with digital technology is everyone working from home it doesn't really matter if you're working in turning whatever for someone in San Francisco or someone. In Virginia, you can still do that job here through these technologies here, so one example of that I grew up in the middle of nowhere Michigan and my mother works at the Chamber of Commerce right now. And they had some staffing issues and so actually got an intern from Virginia who's now working for my local county. Small county and Michigan so there's been kind of that increase, of course, the pandemics also had some harmful effects on the job field here there's just so much more uncertainty right now organizations i'm think are expanding as much.
Also, a lot of students, want to get into the sports world via either broadcasting camera work technical side of things, social media. So many different aspects of course the sports world is just in a huge state of upheaval, especially the smaller sports world where a lot of our students go, you know smaller baseball teams minor league soccer teams. Things like that so there's been kind of that just upheaval in the lack of ability to plan, so I think of a lot of organizations just aren't hiring right now, just because they're kind of holding steady and waiting for the US to move on here, so I can see those the double edged sword has as many things in the world, here or yes there's been definitely some.
What soft skills should all Content Producers possess?
Dr. Ryan Stouffer: Increase uncertainty and probably lack of hiring some fields other fields again because I mentioned are doing better than ever, I think soft skills are the two biggest I have our communication, surprise, surprise and project management. Communication I think in the again the digital age, working from home working from all over the country both the written communication and oral communication needs to be top notch and proactive.
I know many of my soon-to-be-graduates struggle, sometimes being proactive in their communication reaching out to me when things are happening as opposed to after things are happening, so I think that idea of always being open always responding like hey I got that email or yet i'm working on it may be a few days and just always having that communication flowing here is one of the most important skills in both written and oral format.
And i've mentioned project management so many people are now either working from home or working on their own much more working and kind of out with direct without direct supervision.
And so the ability to stay organized and stay efficient is huge, something I personally feel i'm really strong and I always try to impart my my students come up with an organizational strategy, make sure none those balls get dropped, make sure you know where all your projects are because I think that ability to do that be efficient and work from home work from anywhere is a really something you'd set soon to be graduates or recent graduates apart here.
How have salaries changed over time for Content Producers?
Dr. Ryan Stouffer: Salaries had changed a little bit did they've increased a little bit over time in our field, I think people are more real and now realizing the importance of having social media marketers social media managers who manage that organizations brand to help tell that organizations story on of course journalism I teach them future journalists to we've seen those tickets, a little bit.
But I think mostly salaries are you know slightly moving up here, but we haven't seen any huge jumps, and that is one of the disadvantages. Of the communication field here is there's there's a lot of opportunities out there, and a lot of different places, can people a lot of places people can go. But those salaries tend to be a little bit lower to start here until you really find your niche and your expertise and work your way up a bit so. Taking up a little bit, but I that is definitely not the selling point I think of my field is the starting salary.
What type of skills will young Content Producers need?
Patricia Hastings: Young graduates will need a few skills outside of the usual ones for a good journalism job. They will have to be able to interview for jobs via Zoom or whatever system is used. That's a different skill set than being in person. I also believe students will have to work harder to "brand" themselves. Why should someone hire you? Do the resume and work examples say "I am the go to person for getting this done?" Make an elevator pitch for yourself and see how hard it is to do. The usual skills still need to be there-video, social, maybe audio-because that's what it takes today.
I also think graduates needs to be aware of the information that's out there, and be suspicious or know enough to check for accuracy. If a photo is digitally manipulated, will you know? How can you tell? In my opinion, this is maybe the biggest skill needed. What is balanced and researched as to what is created to satisfy some agenda? This has and will continue to be an area to watch.
What experience really stands out on Content Producer resumes?
Patricia Hastings: The experience I think everyone needs is video, for those who aren't going into that area. Everyone uses video. Having an understanding of how to make your message or story translate to video is important and it's not that easy to do. That, and the ability to enterprise story ideas. Actually taking an idea and turning into a story for online, or broadcast or print is key. You can't tell the story the same way for each one, and so to analyze and then make a good story is important.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Content Producer job market given the pandemic?
Deborah Orloff: Working remotely and meeting via Zoom (and similar video conferencing platforms) is obviously a huge trend, and I expect it to continue.
What skills stand out on Content Producer resumes?
Deborah Orloff: Flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing situations and new technology has become more important than ever! Creativity and entrepreneurship are also very important!
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Content Producers to find work opportunities?
Deborah Orloff: Large cities (like New York) have always offered the most opportunities, and I expect that to continue. However, with companies downsizing and consumer demand being lower due to the pandemic, entrepreneurs can do well anywhere!
Craig Stark Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Communications, Department Head of CommunicationsSusquehanna University
Communications Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Content Producer job market given the pandemic?
Craig Stark Ph.D.: Probably more remote work opportunities. I would expect many employers will find it more cost-effective to have employees work from home or remote sites, which means employees have to have a good working knowledge of time management and technical skills.
What Content Producer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Craig Stark Ph.D.: If a graduate needs to take a gap year from work, the best thing I think they could do is stay involved with the industry. Subscribe to email and text updates from trade magazines, follow regulatory agencies like the FCC and FTC online, and stay in touch. Maintain contact with anyone that you've networked with and attend any virtual job fairs or conferences that you can. Use the time to practice and hone any technical or professional skills that you're interested in. The most important thing is to stay up-to-date and involved as much as you can, so that when the gap year is over it will be easier to get back into the swing.
What general advice would you give to a Content Producer?
Craig Stark Ph.D.: Be flexible and willing to change goals and perspectives. The industry is constantly changing and evolving but fortunately you can do anything with a communications degree. Use that flexibility to your advantage and do the best you can to prepare for any industrial, professional, and personal changes in your life.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Content Producer job market given the pandemic?
Lara Teeter: The most obvious trend is that "Virtual Theatre" is not going to be going away. In addition to television, film, Broadway & Regional theatre, cruise line and theme park work...our students and professionals alike have had to hone special skills in both the performance and technical aspects of virtual theatre. The other given is that the digital audition room (video submissions and even callbacks for projects) will continue to be used by producers, directors, casting directors, and agents. This is a real money saver when you consider the cost of flying someone in (director, casting director, talent), put them up at a hotel, and then rent the space to hold the audition. I do NOT feel that the "in-room" audition will go away, but the virtual audition room is something that is here to stay!
What skills stand out on Content Producer resumes?
Lara Teeter: People. The casting agents, talent agencies, management companies, directors, and choreographers ALL want to know a) who you've studied with, b) who you've worked with, c) what agent represents you and, d) what casting directors keep submitting you. Broadway? Always. But if you have been part of a staged reading or if you have done a small role in a play or a musical that is being mounted in a regional house and the director or choreographer is someone who has a reputation for doing great work...that counts a lot.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Content Producers to find work opportunities?
Lara Teeter: Throw a rock over your shoulder and hit 20 in one throw! Literally, everywhere you turn, if you are hungry and smart, there is a place to find work. I like to use "Everything was Possible - the birth of the musical FOLLIES" by Ted Chapin as an example. He was in a position to fetch coffee for Hal Prince and Stephen Sondheim, and Michael Bennett. After so many years, he was chosen by the Rodgers and Hammerstein families to run their business. He's also the co-founder of ENCORES. There are many "good places" to find work. There are also some "not so good" places to work. A young actor's journey must encounter both so that as they mature in the business, they can, hopefully, begin to choose what places/directors/organizations that they prefer to work with as well as those they don't. Until that day, however, a job is a job. The MUNY, The Glimmerglass Opera, Goodspeed, Pittsburg Civic Light Opera, Wichita Summer Musicals, Lyric Theatre in Oklahoma City (these last two is where I got my start in the 1970s!), Barrington Stage, American Repertory Theatre, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Alabama Shakespeare, Seattle Reparatory Theatre, Theatre Under the Stars in Houston, TX, Broadway Sacramento (formally California Musical Theatre)....the list goes on and on!
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Content Producer job market given the pandemic?
Duncan MacKenzie: The fine arts' job market is always aggressively entrepreneurial and requires our practitioners to establish their voice and space. With many of our more traditional paths squeezed or closed, we see an increased enthusiasm for online venues and the kinds of work that can support them. After the pandemic, we expect to see a return to the materially based practices and those with performative and social aspects, as the audience will be looking for less mediated experiences.
What skills stand out on Content Producer resumes?
Duncan MacKenzie: For all young artists, organizational skills, digital and web-based skills, and an ability to communicate verbally and textually are very important; beyond that, craft-based skills relevant to whatever is being made are always crucial.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Content Producers to find work opportunities?
Duncan MacKenzie: Artists can find relevance anywhere they want to work, but often, they must build the audience for their creative output. It is more comfortable in big cities such as New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, as they have pre-existing channels and communities for art-making and viewing. Still, those cities can be significantly more expensive to live in.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Content Producer job market given the pandemic?
Michael Wagner: We primarily serve the traditional digital media industries (game design, animation, visual effects, VR/AR, etc.). In our fields, the pandemic's most significant trend is the rapid development of solutions for virtualizing digital media production systems. Companies have started to move much of their production into cloud-based development environments that allow developers to work in geographically dispersed teams.
What skills stand out on Content Producer resumes?
Michael Wagner: Primarily an understanding of how to be productive in virtual teams. Anything that proves that somebody is capable of working independently and reliably.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Content Producers to find work opportunities?
Michael Wagner: In our fields, location is no longer a serious concern. People work from anywhere. There are still traditional pockets of media industries such as LA, but the overall tendency is to move into remote work arrangements.
What type of skills will young Content Producers need?
Chris Hansen: Students who want to work in media fields would benefit from a broad base of production skills as well as a solid understanding of theories related to visual aesthetics and what makes production more dynamic and visually interesting.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Content Producers to find work opportunities?
Chris Hansen: Most cities of any size have businesses and churches that need media professionals. Every business needs a media presence for their website, or social media, or advertising. So whether they do that with in-house media employees or outsource to firms or freelancers who handle the work, having these skills will make you employable in most medium-sized or large cities.
How do you envision technology impacting Content Producers in the next 5 years?
Chris Hansen: In digital media, technology is ever-changing. It's a field that's rooted in technological advances, giving us better ways to do what we do. So technology will change, and students in this field need to learn not only whatever is current, but they need to learn how to adapt as things change.
What type of skills will young Content Producers need?
David Carren: Critical thinking, a significant component of all successful creative endeavors, will be a considerable asset. Another essential ability to collaborate or work with others efficiently and effectively will also matter a great deal.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Content Producers to find work opportunities?
David Carren: For theatre, any area with a robust creative perimeter of professional theatre and narrative film and television production. This would mean living in a central metropolitan area or production center.
How do you envision technology impacting Content Producers in the next 5 years?
David Carren: The most significant impact will be in the nature and expansion of digital delivery systems for narrative film and television and live theatre.
What experience really stands out on Content Producer resumes?
Nate Bynum: Performance experience is the most apparent accomplishment theatre employers look for on a resume. The documented ability to sing, dance, and act, are still the standards that define a well-rounded theatre performer. A summary showing roles in a wide variety of genres (classical/period/musicals/comedies/dramas) will undoubtedly stand out versus one limited in number and scope. As well, classes taken are of interest to a potential employer. Courses in movement, voice, diction, screen acting, stage combat, etc., will suggest that the student was focused on being--or the program forced them to be--well-rounded and involved. And, fortunately, or unfortunately, the school can make a difference to employers.
The more prominent and more well-known the program, the more famous the alumni, the more severe or well-trained the student is deemed to be. I say "unfortunately" because that is often far from being true. There are many good students to be found on large and small campuses. A well-rounded theatre student has trained in various genres (stage, musicals, film/tv, opera) to prepare for a career in the arts. The operative word being "career." Say, for example, the theatre student is applying to teach at a university. The classes or specialized area of training becomes a lot more important than the proven ability to perform. And with that, the ability to write and communicate orally.
How do you envision technology impacting Content Producers in the next 5 years?
Nate Bynum: It will ever increase. Long before the pandemic, more and more stage performers were being asked to submit auditions via self-tapes. That process can be a time and money saver for both the theatre and the actor. Still, stage acting is centered around performing in front of a live audience, and the best way to prove confidence and ability in doing that is to audition live and respond to feedback in real-time. Recording and streaming live performances is already an issue causing legal ramifications between SAG-AFTRA and AEA. This is a sensitive issue at present.
On the other hand, technology has already impacted film/tv acting, and I think it is to stay there. A reliance on self-taped audition submissions, and Zoom auditions, will probably remain a norm in the on-screen discipline because, again, of time and cost. I think everyone is eager to get back to in-person auditions, getting adjustments in the room from the decision-makers, and just direct reading the room. Still, a lot of money has been spent on the equipment during the pandemic, and no one wants it only to become obsolete. Also, a lot of actors are getting good at self-taping. As well, casting directors have a lot more opportunities nowadays to cast multiple shows. The quick turnaround demanded from network, cable, and streaming shows doesn't allow for many in-person auditions.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Content Producers?
Nate Bynum: Undoubtedly, training was greatly affected during the pandemic. Arts training is now, and has always been, hands-on. Even if classes were allowed in-person, social distance spacing is anathema to the movement in the discipline. Theatre and screen acting are collaborative arts. Teachers and students have to work together and nearby. This can not be accomplished via Zoom and 6ft. spacing. Social distance does not exist in the arts. Thus, the limits placed on teachers and students in executing exercises, performing scene work or tech work, or proving to understand the intricate details of a particular art were lost and will have to be learned at another time.
What general advice would you give to a Content Producer?
Sidney Holt: The biggest challenge facing editorial hopefuls is uncertainty. Magazines and websites were already experiencing unprecedented challenges as the consumption of media changed and publishers shifted from advertising-supported to reader-supported business models. The pandemic only accelerated those trends. For new graduates, that means fewer opportunities to work for established brands (and where those opportunities do exist, it means working remotely, at least for the foreseeable future, which in turn means fewer opportunities to enjoy the kind of one-on-one training that furthered the careers of previous generations of writers and editors).
That's the downside. The upside is that the skills and energy young journalists can bring to a media organization are especially valuable during a period of extraordinary change. But you have to be prepared to be resilient. Not only is "the gold watch after 50 years" gone; you have expect you won't be in any job very long, at least in the early years of your career.