Survive Till 25'

Last week, I wrote a blog about the challenges currently facing the film industry, and it clearly struck a chord. One response, in particular, caught my attention:
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“I keep hearing ‘survive till 25’ from production folks.”

That phrase has been making the rounds lately, and yesterday, during a webinar I was speaking on, it came up again. I was caught a little off guard since this was the third time I’d heard it this week. When asked for my thoughts on the topic, I simply said:

“Whatever role you play in the film industry, if you can afford to hang on till 2025, you’ll be okay. The film industry is a resilient industry, everyone needs film and TV; it’s simply about getting over this hump.”

But the truth is, this isn’t just a catchy phrase—it reflects the serious financial strain many in our industry are feeling from last year’s 7 month strike. A lot of people, from Producers to smaller production company’s aren’t getting paid, especially by major production companies. Several of these companies are struggling, and Paramount is one of the big names in the conversation, as they navigate both internal financial challenges and the ripple effects of industry-wide disruptions.

There are thousands of people who work tirelessly behind the scenes—Many of them rely on contract work to make a living, but as production slows, so do their paychecks. With the previous strikes, studio mergers, and the rapid transformation of distribution models, the opportunities for steady work have dwindled. The impact is not just felt by those in front of the camera, but by everyone who makes a film or television show come to life.

Unfortunately, many talented and essential crew members are finding themselves out of work, and without the pay they deserve. Major productions have stalled, and deals with major studios are being restructured or delayed. I myself have had two films cancelled and one put on hold this year alone. While independent filmmakers continue to push forward, even that space has been constrained by limited financing and changing distribution landscapes.

Paramount, one of the pillars of the industry, is no stranger to these challenges. The company has been grappling with significant financial strain, which has affected its ability to pay production teams on time. I am limited as to what I can say, but they are in heavy layoff mode and have all but cancelled their own productions. If a show hasn’t been cancelled, it is bring migrated to CBS or put on hold. Adding to the complexity, Paramount is navigating merger discussions as the industry continues to consolidate in the face of evolving market conditions.

Mergers between studios, like the rumored Paramount-Viacom-CBS consolidation, are designed to create efficiencies and help the companies compete in the new digital-first world of streaming and on-demand content. However, during the transition, many people are left in limbo. The restructuring of departments and production priorities means fewer projects, smaller budgets, and deferred payments for those who are contracted to work on films and shows.

It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially for independent filmmakers and small production company, like myself trying to stay afloat while the behemoths reconfigure themselves.

Despite these challenges, I stand by my belief that the film industry is resilient. There have been difficult times before, and the industry always finds a way to bounce back. As we move toward 2025, streaming platforms and audience demands continue to shape the future of entertainment, and I believe new opportunities will emerge from this transformation.

In the meantime, it’s critical that we, as a community of filmmakers, support each other. Collaboration and innovation will see us through this rough patch. For those of you out there feeling the strain, remember: surviving till 25 isn’t just about hanging on—it’s about positioning yourself for the opportunities that will come once this storm passes.