Career Profile: Entertainment
 Professionals who are involved in music, dance, film and everything in between are in the entertainment industry. In short they work to entertain audiences. Regardless of their art form, their objective remains the same, to perform and perform well so as to attract fans. For most aspiring performing artists, they also desire the elusive fame and fortune only a select few ever attain. Actors such as George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Julia Roberts were not overnight superstars. Neither were bands such as Coldplay, Fall Out Boy, or even the Beatles. The path to becoming a performing artist is never an easy one, and the path to becoming a famous, multi-millionaire performer is even harder.
Luckily, for those interested in entering the entertainment industry, occupations are not restricted to only dancers, actors, and musicians. While these individuals may be the faces audiences see and love, so many other professionals in the entertainment field are behind the scenes working to produce a product. What many professionals find so appealing about working in the entertainment industry is that it welcomes almost every occupation.
For instance, the entertainment industry is in the business of making money off of a consumer’s appetite to see a movie, buy a mp3 or see a Broadway play. Correspondingly, entities such as movie studios and production companies need professionals who range from accountants, human resource managers, to C-level executives. Other industries may also find opportunity within the entertainment field. For example insurance companies work with the entertainment industry because studios must insure the production they are working on.
Career paths in the entertainment industry are vast. Aside from the most popular and desired jobs (actors and singers) other roles such as directors, producers, entertainment lawyers, agents, camera operators, to make-up artists positions are available. Insiders lament that the industry, regardless of occupation, is highly competitive, especially for those who dream of becoming the next big movie star or pop singer. Nonetheless for those who do reach their career aspirations in the entertainment industry, the monetary rewards can be substantial. Hollywood actors such as Cameron Diaz and Angelina Jolie pull down multi-million dollar paychecks for each film they do. Leading producers and directors such as George Lucas and Steven Spielberg’s compensation is equally high.
Individuals who have the energy, stamina, and the keen ability to learn to like hearing no may do well in the entertainment industry. They also have to work hard and be creative. You have to be willing to start at the bottom and work your way up.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that job growth will grow somewhat through 2014, in particular because new media is creating new opportunities but because many of the products produced by the entertainment industry are considered luxury goods it has had a bit of a rough time in today’s poor economy.
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