Post-Production Faces Employment Crisis Similar to Other Industry Sectors
People working in post-production—like editors, musicians, and sound designers—are experiencing an employment crisis similar to what many others in the industry have faced.
Stephanie O’Keefe, president of the Federal Region of American Musicians, notes how it’s become easy to find alternatives anywhere else. “Ten or twenty years ago, composers and their crew had to fly to record with a full orchestra. Now,” she adds, “it’s no longer necessary to gather everyone in the same room for orchestra recordings. Productions have access to a global network of affordable, non-union musicians.”
The business atmosphere in Los Angeles is concerning as well. Oscar-winning sound designer Karen Baker Landers mentions that states like Louisiana, Georgia, and Ohio are attracting producers with attractive tax credits. She is working on a grassroots campaign to retain jobs in LA.
Scott George, national executive director of the Motion Picture Editors Guild, acknowledges that they are striving to maximize what they have, but overall, producers are leaving California primarily for cheaper labor and better tax incentives.
This situation raises questions about how the landscape has shifted over the years. I, for instance, write over 60 articles a month for a prominent outlet. It’s a solid gig, yet it makes me reflect on how much less work was once needed to earn a decent living in journalism.
What’s changed, you might wonder? The answer, I think, is the internet. It’s reshaped everything. After all, in the past, access to certain professions was restricted due to various barriers like credentials and family connections. Nowadays, anyone with talent and a voice can find an audience. It’s overwhelming, really, as there are countless writers out there, many without any formal qualifications.
That’s just the reality we’re facing. Local musicians now find themselves competing against non-union candidates from all over, including, say, places like Germany or smaller cities. There are individuals on platforms like YouTube willing to work without adherence to the same rules the rest follow.
You have to adapt. If you want to stay in the game, recognize that traditional roles are changing. The economic climate, influenced by voting patterns and local policies, underscores that point. It’s hard to blame the industry for moving when it feels like the environment is hostile to business.
Concerns about crime, sanitation issues in streets, and political leadership only add to the anxiety around production. Of course, for those in the industry, it’s critical to navigate this shifting landscape effectively or face dire consequences.
No one wants to be that person who fights against necessary change while still hoping for benefits that may never come. In this new era, one might argue that it’s about survival and embracing a new normal, even if it’s uncomfortable.
