Treat Hollywood less like a monolith and more like an ecosystem. There’s no single path in, only intersections of creativity, relationships, and timing. Focus first on mastering your craft, because skill builds credibility, and credibility attracts opportunity. Then nurture genuine relationships—collaboration is the currency of this industry. Be prepared to build your own momentum: write, produce, or volunteer on projects that align with your voice. Persistence matters more than perfection; every “no” refines your approach. And remember, integrity travels faster than gossip. The entertainment world is vast but tightly networked. Always remember that your reputation precedes you. Lead with generosity, curiosity, and follow-through, and Hollywood will eventually make room for your vision, grit, and know-how.

—Jared Ruga MFA’16 MBA’16 JD’16, Emmy-winning and GLAAD-nominated producer

As a writer, your script is your calling card. Write that terrible first draft, then refine until it’s the best you can get it on your own. Then ask for feedback from people whose opinions you trust—preferably other writers or industry professionals. Address any notes you get multiple times. Otherwise, address only the notes that resonate with you—you know your story best.

Do not chase trends—it never works. Write what you know. Read any and all scripts you can get your hands on. Make connections with people in the industry and politely ask them to read your script. Give them ample time, and if they respond well, ask for help getting your script to the right people. And keep writing—those people will expect you to back that script up with another great script.

—Stephanie Groff BA’21, screenwriter who recently sold a script to Sony

Opportunity can (and will) come knocking on the door at any time, so be ready. Read, write, shoot, edit, repeat—prepare yourself as much as you can so when the time comes, you can show what you’re made of. Ultimately, your attitude is key. Stay positive, work hard, and give it your all. It’s a tough business, but if you can prove your value and be a team player, you can achieve anything you want.

You have to constantly reinvent yourself, especially with the changing state of our business right now. The opportunities for studio-based projects are changing, but the need for material is still there. No matter what field you’re interested in, being a good storyteller is key. I encourage you to learn how to write, further your education, watch everything, and don’t let the challenges change your mind.

—Rick Page BA’94, cinematographer whose credits include Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Blockbuster

The advice I always give to people is to become well-rounded. Find the career you want to do, then do every single job surrounding it to fully understand and get better at your sought-after career. As a screenwriter, it benefits me to act in something to understand how written words are performed; to direct something to see how to make written words work logistically; or even to produce something to fully understand what does and doesn’t capture attention throughout the process. Every aspect of these things makes my writing better because I’m more informed about what works and what doesn’t. And I’m not talking about anything huge—you can just do small experiments and work with friends on short films. Trust me, studios always want the people who are the most informed. But, truly, this can translate to any chosen career.

—Jeff Dixon BA’99, whose animated show Curses! premiered last year on AppleTV+

WEB EXTRA

What is it really like to work in Hollywood?

We asked our panel for the inside scoop.

Hollywood is every bit as dynamic as it looks, but not always for the reasons people expect. The excitement often comes less from red carpets and more from the creative problem-solving that happens daily behind the scenes. It’s a place where art, commerce, and technology constantly collide, so adaptability is essential. What might surprise readers is how entrepreneurial the work truly is. Even established professionals operate like start-up founders—assembling teams, pitching ideas, and reinventing themselves with every project. Hollywood rewards persistence and curiosity as much as talent. When you find collaborators who share your vision, the process can be electrifying, and when you don’t, it can be humbling. Either way, there’s rarely a dull moment.
—Jared Ruga

Anyone who works in Hollywood arrived here chasing a dream, so yes—it’s as exciting and fulfilling as it sounds. Most of us simply love being part of the magic. But it’s also grueling: endless rewrites in development, long hours in production, and the heartbreak of projects that never get picked up are all part of the grind. Success in this business takes grit and perseverance—and your own definition of success to begin with, particularly for creatives. Freelance work is hardly a stable source of income. Even those who land steady jobs at legacy studios or streamers contend with the volatility of an industry helmed by ego and trend-chasing. As a prolific TV producer once told me: if studio executives truly knew what the next hit would be, they’d all be effortless billionaires—and likely wouldn’t still be working at a studio. But they’re not. Instead, Hollywood survives on educated guesses, gut instinct, and a love of storytelling. (Entertainment is a terrible business model.) And it might surprise readers to know that diplomas don’t open doors here—relationships will. Connections, kindness, persistence, and a little audacity matter far more than credentials. So don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. You might get one response for every hundred attempts—but that one response can change everything.
—Stephanie Groff

Hollywood is a big town, but it’s also just a place on the map.  The people you work with are the ones who make the difference in your experience. The rich history of our industry there makes it fun and exciting to be a part of and for me, working there has been a challenge, at times exciting and at times, daunting. You have to keep trying. There are a LOT of people trying to make it in this business, so your attitude is key, along with refining your skillset.
—Rick Page

Forgive the obvious comparison, but this industry really is a roller coaster. There are extreme highs and plunging lows. But for people who would rather be on that twisty roller coaster filled with extremes instead of traveling on a straight road at a constant 25 mph, it’s tailor made for us. What people may be surprised to know, as well as my favorite thing about working in this industry, is the wide variance of humanity you interact with on any given day. Yes, it’s an industry full of dreamers and creative types, but it’s also so much more blue collar than people realize. This is a union town, and people sometimes like to demonize Hollywood, but it’s an industry chock full of hard-working people from all ends of the spectrum. And I love that about it.
—Jeff Dixon