Navigating Uncertainty in the Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry
By Mary-Dora Bloch-Hansen
The entertainment and performing arts industry can be an exciting and fulfilling career path.
However, the industry is inherently unpredictable and vulnerable to numerous sources of uncertainty, such as shifting consumer tastes, economic factors, market fluctuations, technological disruptions, and unforeseen circumstances like the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the Writers Guild of America strike, which began on May 2 after their three-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers expired, added another layer of uncertainty to the industry’s landscape. The impact of the WGA strike on Canadian television audiences and creators remains uncertain, as the extent of its impact is subject to various factors that may change over time. Nevertheless, this strike is yet another reminder of the unpredictability that is all too familiar in the entertainment and performing arts industry.
Whether it’s due to an unexpected event or a sudden shift in the industry, uncertainty can cause fear, anxiety, and high stress, particularly when it comes to the fear of losing work. Finding ways to take care of ourselves during these unpredictable times is essential for surviving within this industry.
Thankfully, practical tools and resources are available to help navigate uncertainty during unpredictable times. Figuring out what works best for you is key! Some strategies I have found helpful over the years include creating financial plans, building community and networking, continuing education and training, prioritizing self-care (mental and physical health), setting healthy boundaries, cultivating support networks, engaging in hobbies, and taking much-needed breaks to recharge. This is a non-exhaustive list, and what works for one person may not work for another. The important part is figuring out what helps you fill your own cup during uncertainty. Developing little rituals or practices for self-care is a highly individual experience. It can go a long way for building capacity when we fall into states of burnout.
Creating Financial Plans
Freelancers and independent contractors in the entertainment and performing arts industry can have unpredictable incomes, which makes financial planning critical. A budget that includes saving for emergencies and unexpected situations is essential. Easier said than done, I know! Freelancers can also benefit from tracking their expenses, invoicing clients promptly, and negotiating fair rates. I have found QuickBooks to be a fantastic resource for managing all my income and expenses. By being financially prepared, you’ll be able to focus on your work and your art rather than worrying about your finances.
Building Community and Networking
Building and maintaining relationships with colleagues, industry professionals, and potential clients can help you stay informed about job opportunities, industry changes, and other developments that may impact your work. Attend industry events, join online communities, and engage in social media to stay connected with others in the industry.
Education and Training
Learning new skills, obtaining certifications, and attending workshops and seminars can help you stay inspired, engaged, and adaptable in the industry. By proactively continuing your education, you’ll be better equipped to handle unexpected situations and changes in the industry. It can also open doorways to new and exciting opportunities.
Self-care: Mental and Physical Health
Uncertainty can be stressful and anxiety-provoking, so taking care of yourself physically and emotionally is essential. You have probably heard this a million times, but getting enough sleep, eating well, intentionally moving your body, and finding healthy ways to manage stress, such as meditation, mindfulness, or journaling really go a long way! Staying positive and focusing on the things you can control can also help you navigate uncertainty with more confidence and resilience. Meditation apps like Insight Timer and Headspace have really helped me get through challenging times, especially when affording things like therapy or memberships at yoga studios feel financially inaccessible. Self-care is essential to maintaining one’s physical, mental, and emotional health, especially in high-pressure arts industries. It is crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle to ensure you have the energy to keep up with the demands of the industry.
Setting Boundaries
As performers or entertainment industry professionals, we are often asked to work long hours or to take on additional responsibilities. It is important to set boundaries and prioritize your own needs to prevent burnout. I will admit, setting boundaries is no easy task, but with practice, it will start to get easier. It might be helpful to practice saying “no” more throughout your day to get familiar with it and notice how it feels in your body. Setting boundaries is a great way to reduce stress and carve out more intentional time for the work, projects, and activities you are most interested in.
Building a Support Network
Building a support network of friends and colleagues can help you feel more connected, supported, and improve your overall well-being. This can involve joining a support group or networking with other industry professionals. Establishing connections with like-minded individuals is crucial. As social beings, humans thrive on relationships. By cultivating support networks that encourage peer support and resource sharing, we can create a community of care and resilience, rather than fostering isolation and competition, which are already pervasive in a highly competitive entertainment industry.
Engaging in Hobbies & Taking Breaks
Engaging in hobbies outside of work can help you relax, recharge, and refuel. This can involve things like reading, engaging with visual arts, exploring a physical practice or anything that takes your mind off work and brings you into the present moment. Regular breaks to prevent burnout by finding a healthy balance of work and rest are also essential. This can involve taking short breaks during the workday or scheduling time off throughout the year.
In conclusion, navigating uncertainty in the entertainment and performing arts industry can be challenging, but it is not impossible. By implementing practical tools and resources into your routine, you’ll be more equipped to manage the fear and unease associated with losing work due to circumstances beyond your control. By finding ways to take care of themselves, professionals can perform at their best and navigate the unique challenges of the industry.
Mary-Dora Bloch-Hansen
Mary-Dora (they/them) is a queer, non-binary millennial and second-generation settler of Italian and Danish descent residing in Tkaronto (Treaty 13 territory). They show up in their community as a multi-disciplinary care worker and artist, practicing as a clinical social worker, somatic therapist, birth and gender doula, facilitator, and educator. Their care work centers on queer and trans-affirming embodiment practices and healing arts for a more livable future. Passionate about creating inclusive and brave spaces, they bring a relational and abolitionist praxis to their community work. MD values and celebrates neurodiversity and identity-affirming spaces to cultivate resilience, re-membering and transformation in those they serve. Drawing from their lived experience of survivorship, trauma, and neurodiversity, they weave together their artistic practice and care work as tools for community care and healing.
MD studies and practices Body-Mind Centering® and is a professional member of the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA). At the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, MD attained a Master of Social Work (MSW), concentrating on mental health, gaining specialization in trans and gender-affirming counselling, harm reduction and support for folks at the intersection of substance use and trauma. They earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology Specialization from Laurentian University, where their thesis garnered them the Canadian Psychological Association Certificate of Academic Excellence. Additionally, they hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Performance from Toronto Metropolitan University.