To work at Fox, or not to work at Fox? That 'tis the question...

So I find myself in a bit of a quarry. Not a rock quarry, more like a dilemma-type quarry. After two months of unemployment I have a 2 week-or-so temp gig at Fox in their current programming department. That means I’d work for the execs who handle shows like “Arrested Development”, “The Simpsons”, and “24.” Not too shabby, non?

And the bosses are nice. Very nice! Unlike most jobs I see on the UTA list that pay $400 per week, I do not need a thick skin to deal with these people. That’s very important when you’ve dealt with those types in the past. Life is too short to deal with assholes.

And I’m making and would continue to make incredible connections. I mean this is a great opportunity for an aspiring writer like myself.

What’s the rub?

Well, the pay isn’t great, but that’s hardly an issue. It’s funny; everyone thinks that people in the entertainment industry are compensated quite well. Once you reach a certain executive level that is true. I, however, do not want to be an executive. I write screenplays, both TV and film, and would like to make a living do that. Unfortunately, there are not many jobs that would pay me to do this. Of course I’d love to be a TV staff writer, but no one will hire some unknown without an agent, so it’s wise to break in as a TV writer’s assistant. Those jobs are not offered on the UTA job list, craigslist, entertainmentcareers.net, showbizjobs.com, monser.com, ad nauseum.

So, working at a place like this would be fabulous, right? I mean access to the folks who could get me on these shows!!

Well, during a very honest sit-down interview with the “bosses”, they informed me that while the position could lead to where I would like to be professionally, it could take awhile. That wouldn’t be a problem if I was fresh out of film school, but I’m already 30. I’m not sure how old my fellow assistants are here, but the one I share an office with (that’s right, an office! No more cubicle bullshit!) is only 24. Should this even be an issue?

I can probably go back to my segment producer position at “Blind Date” in June, which was a fun place to work, but then I’ll find myself in a similar unemployed situation again in January. If you were lucky enough not to be bombarded with my e-mails/phone calls looking for work, consider yourself lucky. Being unemployed sucks, but at least I got some writing done!

So what is a 30 year old unemployed starving screenwriter to do?

Oh, one thing I forgot to mention. Fox employees get phat discounts at the studio store. That’s right, the “Planet of the Apes” remake DVD for only 10 bucks!!

Does that change things?