The Working Writers Survey

1
Have you finished at least one full-length screenplay or TV pilot? * This field is required.
YESNO
2
Which best describes you right now?* This field is required.
Working steadily, writing is my main income
Working, paid to write in the last two years
Paid at least once, but not in the last two years
Not yet paid to write
3
What do you mainly write?* This field is required.
Features
TV
Both about equally
4
Where do you live?
Los Angeles area
New York area
Elsewhere in the US
Elsewhere not in the US
5
What year did you finish your first full length screenplay or teleplay?* This field is required.Please enter the four digit year, ie 2026
6
How old are you?* This field is required.
Under 25
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 59
60 +
7
Did you study film or writing in school?* This field is required.
No
Undergrad
Graduate degree (MFA etc.)
Both undergrad and graduate
8
What year was your first paid writing job?* This field is required.Please enter the year as a four digit number
9
How old were you when you got your first paid writing job?* This field is required.
Under 25
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 59
60 +
10
What was your first paid writing job?* This field is required.
Option or sale of spec feature
Feature writing assignment
TV staff writer (or higher)
Paid fellowship or lab
TV Sale
Other
11
How many finished scripts (features + TV) had you written before that first paid job?* This field is required.
1
2-3
4-6
7-10
11-15
16+
12
What MOST directly led to that first job?* This field is required.
A referral from a friend or colleague
My rep sent out my work
A contest, fellowship, or pitch forum
The Black List or similar platform
An assistant or support staff job
A short film or self produced project
A cold query or submission
Other
13
How were you paying the bills before?* This field is required.
Industry job (assistant, coordinator, PA, reader, etc.)
Job outside the industry
Other creative work (acting, journalism, advertising, etc.)
Full-time student
Supported by a partner, family, or savings
Other
14
Did you have representation before that first paid job?* This field is required.
Manager only
Agent only
Both
Neither
15
How did you get your first rep?* This field is required.
Referral from a friend or colleague
Contest or fellowship
The Black List or similar platform
Query letter
Met them through a job
I’ve never had a rep
Other
16
How many paid writing jobs have you had in total?* This field is required.
1
2
3 - 5
6 - 10
11 - 20
More than 20 / I've lost count
17
How long after that first paid job did you get your second?* This field is required.
Within 1 year
1 - 2 years
3 - 5 years
More than 5 years
I haven't had the second job yet
18
Are you a member of a writers guild (WGA, WGC, WGGB, etc.)?* This field is required.
Yes, currently a member
I was a member, but I’m not currently
Not yet: I haven’t had guild-covered work
No: my work has been outside guild coverage
Not sure
19
If you did join a guild, what year did you join?* This field is required.
20
How many of your paid projects have been produced?* This field is required.
None
1
2 - 3
4 +
21
In the last 12 months, what percentage of your income comes from writing?* This field is required.
None
Less than 25%
25 - 50%
50 - 75%
75 - 100%
22
How many finished scripts (features + TV) have you written?* This field is required.
1
2-3
4-6
7-10
11-15
16+
23
Do you have representation?* This field is required.
Manager only
Agent only
Both
Neither
24
How are you currently paying the bills?* This field is required.
Industry job (assistant, coordinator, PA, reader, etc.)
Job outside the industry
Other creative work (acting, journalism, advertising, etc.)
Full-time student
Supported by a partner, family, or savings
Other
25
What are you currently doing to break in?
Contests
Fellowships or labs
The Black List or similar platforms
Querying reps / producers
Working an industry assistant / support job
Networking and meeting people
Making shorts or self producing
Writing groups or classes
Other
26
When you started writing seriously how long did you EXPECT it would take to get paid?* This field is required.
Less than 2 years
2-5 years
6-10 years
More than 10 years
I didn’t think about it
27
If you could go back and give yourself advice just as you were starting out, what would your advice be?
Huge
Large
Normal
Small
Ok
Ok
28
May I quote your answer above anonymously in the published results?
Yes
No
29
Do you subscribe to Hollyweird?
Yes, as a paid subscriber
Yes, as a free subscriber
No
30
How did you find this survey?
The Hollyweird newsletter
Instagram or TikTok
Substack notes
BlueSky or Threads
A friend or colleague forwarded it
Another newsletter or podcast
Reddit or an online writing community
Other
Should be Empty: