Hollywood in Crisis: Manager Reveals 42,000 Jobs Lost, TV Writing Down 42%

Raquelle David, founder of New Story Entertainment, provides a candid assessment of Hollywood's current state, describing it as the worst she has witnessed since starting her career in 2016. Since the 2023 strikes, LA County's motion picture industry lost approximately 42,000 jobs, with employment down 25% from its 2022 peak and shooting days down 42% in 2024 compared to 2022. TV writing jobs fell by 42% in the 2023-2024 season, from 1,819 to 1,319. David notes that writers' rooms have contracted, with fewer slots available for lower and mid-level writers. She advises clients to create constantly, explore indie and international productions, focus on procedurals and genre projects. She discusses Sugar23's restructuring into a branded entertainment studio, the rise of AI in the industry, and the contraction of diversity initiatives post-2020. David highlights Ryan Coogler's deal for 'Sinners' with Warner Bros., securing final cut, first-dollar gross, and rights reversion after 25 years. She also mentions the NonDē movement aiming for 50 non-dependent films in 2026, and Issa Rae's partnership with TikTok for micro-series. David emphasizes that storytellers must build audiences and create content independently.