How Do You Start and Grow a Career in the Entertainment Business?

The Industry Isn’t Just About Fame

The entertainment business isn’t only red carpets and premieres. Behind every show, song, or film is a long list of jobs. There are producers, editors, agents, writers, marketers, and managers. You don’t need to be in front of the camera to make a living.

But you do need to understand the business side. If you want to stay in the game, you can’t just create. You need to build a name, manage deals, and protect your image.

What Jobs Are in the Entertainment Business?

Behind-the-Scenes Roles That Run the Show

Many careers in entertainment don’t require performing. Here are common roles:

Talent agents find work for actors and musicians.
Line producers manage budgets and crew schedules.
Editors shape raw footage into final cuts.
Music supervisors choose tracks for shows and films.
Publicists manage how clients are seen by the press.

Each job needs a mix of creative thinking and business sense.

On-Screen vs. Off-Screen Work

People often chase stardom without knowing how much work happens off-screen. Sarah, a production coordinator for an indie film in LA, said, “Most of the actors showed up at noon. Our crew had been there since 5 a.m. setting up lighting and shots.”

If you want stability and less public pressure, off-screen jobs can be smarter and just as rewarding.

How Do You Break Into the Entertainment Business?

Start Small, Start Anywhere

Most careers start with small gigs. You might work as a PA (production assistant), intern at a label, or manage social accounts for a podcast. That’s where you learn how things work.

Even unpaid jobs can pay off in contacts. One former assistant at a Netflix set got hired full-time after offering to help during a rain delay. “I grabbed ponchos for the crew and didn’t complain. The producer noticed.”

Build a Reputation Before a Resume

People hire who they trust. In this industry, your name matters more than your LinkedIn. Show up early. Follow instructions. Say thank you. These small things make you stand out.

If your name starts popping up as someone who’s reliable and easy to work with, opportunities will come.

What Are the Money Realities?

Don’t Quit Your Day Job Too Fast

Entertainment work is often gig-based. You might be busy for months, then quiet for weeks. Until you have steady income, keep something part-time on the side.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, actors earn a median of $23.48 per hour, but most only work part of the year. Editors, on the other hand, earn around $63,000 a year and often stay busier.

Learn Contracts and Royalties

If you’re a creator, know how you get paid. Ask about backend deals. Make sure your name is in the credits. Protect your ownership when you can.

Too many people learn the hard way. A writer friend once signed a deal to sell her script for $2,000. It became a hit short film. She got nothing more. “I didn’t think to ask about future use,” she said. “Now I always read the fine print.”

How to Build an Entertainment Brand That Lasts

Your Online Image Is Part of the Job

Your reputation can help or hurt you before you even walk into a room. People Google you. They scroll your socials. One bad clip or headline can cost you a role or contract.

That’s why people turn to companies like Reputation Riot. They help remove or bury content that doesn’t reflect your real work or values.

An actor once called them after a rumour spread online during casting week. They helped him flag false posts and clean up old profiles. He ended up landing a lead role two months later.

Own Your Niche

In a crowded space, pick a lane. Be the comic who writes horror. Be the producer who shoots only food shows. Specialising makes you easier to remember and recommend.

Then, build around it. Share projects. Show process. Post with purpose.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Saying Yes to Everything

Early in your career, it’s tempting to say yes to every project. But burnout is real. And bad gigs can pull your name down.

Ask three things before saying yes:

Will I learn something?
Will I meet someone helpful?
Will this hurt my name?

If the answer is no, think twice.

Waiting to Be Discovered

Nobody’s coming to rescue you. Put your work out there. Apply for gigs. Email strangers. Post your short film. Record the podcast. Success in entertainment comes to people who keep showing up.