It’s called “the industry” for a reason.  Hollywood film is, first and foremost, a business.  When creative people move to Los Angeles to be in the film business, they should recognize that the art is secondary to the business.  In Hollywood, there would be no art if that art does not make money.  What matters to the people in charge is filling the seats, no matter how unoriginal and unnecessarily serialized the superhero movie of the month (ahem Batman v. Superman).  That said, art does come out of the film business.  The art of film can be thought provoking, emotionally evocative, thematically nuanced, and downright beautiful.  Our first weeks in Hollywood have been defined by a mixture of advice among those in the industry, providing the opportunity to objectively see both the business AND the art of Hollywood film.

First, the business.  We have been advised to read about the business.  The implication is that if you can teach yourself the business, you can make it in Hollywood.  Furthermore, you need connections.  Network, network, network, and maybe, just maybe,  you can get a job.  Work hard, climb the ladder from the lowest rung and make connections all the way up.  Do good work, have an endless supply of optimism, and you might keep your job.  Perhaps you will even get another.  Hearing this type of advice, while practical, useful, and certainly full of truth, becomes disheartening.  Does anyone get a job in this town who actually merits it? Is it even possible to distinguish yourself by your art, or is it just who you know?

Now, the art.  Frank Spotnitz, in particular, discussed the creative skill-set required to be a writer in Hollywood.  While not denying the power of the business, Spotnitz’s advice is the sort that makes an aspiring filmmaker breathe a sigh of relief with the knowledge that the Hollywood business is more than money.  Spotnitz advises aspiring writers to remember that the audience is always smarter than you are.  He tells writers not to aim for good (if you aim for good you will attain mediocrity) but to aim for the best episode of television ever (and if you are fortunate you will attain good).  He says that the harder you work, the more energy you gain to work harder.  The more people we meet in the industry, the more evidence we have that this advice is valid.  Work really hard, really love what you’re doing, and you may just squeeze some art out of this business.