Ask any writer how they managed to make ends meet before the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike, and you’ll receive a range of answers. Some may have been developing television shows, while others were finishing feature rewrites. However, with the ongoing strike now surpassing the 100-day mark, even established writers are finding alternative ways to pay their bills and support themselves. Many are turning to entrepreneurial endeavors and teaching to not only sustain themselves but also to help aspiring writers in the process.
One such writer is Leila Cohen, who has been consistently working as a TV and film writer for 11 years. Despite her success, Cohen found herself in need of money before the strike and began marketing her services as a script consultant. With the strike continuing, she has now turned to teaching, running classes on topics like turning books, movies, and podcasts into TV and building pitch decks. Cohen recognizes the importance of supporting aspiring writers while also utilizing her teaching skills to pay her own bills. Additionally, she has found joy in monetizing her hobby of crafting Bravo-themed merchandise and selling it on Etsy.
Felicia Pride, known for her work on shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Queen Sugar, found herself facing the unpredictable nature of development money in the industry. As a result, she decided to take control of her income streams and launched three Creative Career Planning Workshops. These workshops led Pride to pursue a new side hustle as a publisher and live events producer. She is developing a workbook and journal based on the challenges faced during the strike and is also hosting the Honey Chile Fest, aimed at providing a platform for marginalized audiences after the strike ends.
For Justin Elizabeth Sayre, the pandemic gave them the foresight to start preparing for the uncertainties of the industry. Despite not struggling financially when the strike began, Sayre decided to offer a Pitch-to-Pilot Workshop, leveraging their experience as a writer on shows like 2 Broke Girls and The Cool Kids. Teaching became a way for Sayre to not only keep up their skills but also to stay relevant and work with other writers. By helping aspiring writers, Sayre believes they can improve their own craft and find fulfillment in supporting others.
Related Post
Billy Domineau, who has worked on shows like Saturday Night Live and Family Guy, also turned to teaching and consulting during the strike. Recognizing the erosion of wages and job security in the industry, Domineau began offering script consultations and teaching TV pilot writing classes in his downtime. He saw an opportunity to fill a void by providing constructive feedback and encouragement to writers who often receive vague rejections. Domineau’s teaching endeavors allow him to target specific strengths in writers’ work and provide guidance on how to take risks and improve their craft.
These four established writers have demonstrated their resilience and adaptability during the ongoing writers’ strike. By leveraging their skills and passions, they have created viable side hustles that not only help them pay their bills but also support aspiring writers. While the strike presents challenges for the future of the profession, these writers are determined to find alternative paths to success and contribute to the industry in meaningful ways.
