These Gen Zers Are Leading the Charge for their Generation and the Future of Hollywood
In a recent interview with HuffPost, seven talented Gen Z writers and actors shared their experiences and insights on navigating the ongoing Hollywood strikes, the impact of the industry on their careers, and their aspirations for the future.
Sixteen years have passed since the significant writers strike in 2007, but the entertainment industry is once again grappling with new challenges. From the threat of artificial intelligence and smaller writers rooms to the removal of shows from streaming platforms and the lack of transparency regarding viewership numbers affecting residuals and livelihoods, actors and writers unions are fiercely fighting against corporate greed. They are advocating for fair and livable wages, as well as safeguarding the future of storytelling on-screen. This movement extends beyond the entertainment industry, with workers from various sectors such as UPS, education, animation, nursing, reality TV, and celebrity styling, joining forces to demand a much-needed labor overhaul in the country. Members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) are at the forefront of this battle, including the union representing HuffPost’s staff members.
For Gen Zers between the ages of 18 and 26, this labor movement holds significant relevance. As America’s most pro-union age group, according to the Center for American Progress, they have witnessed powerful leaders undermine industries and fail previous generations. Many of them experienced the impact of the Great Recession as teenagers and witnessed the backlash that followed President Barack Obama’s election, leading to the rise of Donald Trump. Additionally, they entered the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic and faced the threat of another recession. These political and economic circumstances have profoundly influenced their perspectives on work and pursuing their dreams.
The American Dream, the promise of success for those who follow the “right path” and make the “right choices,” has been questioned and even shattered for Gen Z. They are acutely aware of the realities and stakes involved. Gen Z entertainment workers aren’t just fighting for their own careers; they are fighting for the future of their industries. They are standing up for the next generation, ensuring that storytelling remains a respected craft.
HuffPost had the privilege of speaking with seven remarkable Gen Z writers and actors, learning about their experiences during the Hollywood strikes and gaining insights into their craft and aspirations. Let’s meet them:
– Danielle Duke: A 23-year-old actor from New York City who has been acting since the age of 6. She fully supports the strike, motivated by the union’s objectives to address residuals and protect against the threats of artificial intelligence.
– Francisco Cabrera-Feo: A queer screenwriter and director based in Los Angeles, originally from Venezuela. After graduating from Florida State University, Cabrera-Feo worked on acclaimed series such as Netflix’s “Gentefied” and Max’s “Gordita Chronicles.” While waiting for a fair contract, he has taken up translation jobs to sustain himself.
– Keith Sweet II: A screenwriter and multihyphenate talent from Compton, California. At just 23 years old, he made history as the youngest staff writer in the history of the “Star Trek” franchise. Despite recently selling a TV series to Amazon, he finds himself in survival mode, fighting for a better future in Hollywood.
– Matthew Keith: A 24-year-old comedy writer and actor from Los Angeles. With experience as a writer’s production assistant on CBS’s “The Neighborhood” and an actor in Season 5 of the same series, he is working towards joining the WGA and is currently employed as a barista to make ends meet.
– Jake Lawler: A self-taught screenwriter from Charlotte, North Carolina, now residing in Los Angeles. At 24 years old, Lawler recently earned a staff writer role on Disney+’s “The Crossover” after working as a development coordinator at Chaotic Good Studios and performing stunts for football commercials.
– Sofia Brown de Lopez: A 25-year-old queer Mexican American screenwriter from Monterey, California. Despite threats of a recession and a potential writers strike, Brown de Lopez remains committed to her Hollywood career and is actively pursuing union membership while working as a legal assistant.
– Emily Kim: A 25-year-old comic book author and screenwriter based in Manhattan Beach, California. Kim has an extensive background in the industry, having worked on Marvel’s “Spider-Gwen” and “SILK,” as well as TV series like Netflix’s “XO, Kitty” and NBC’s “Quantum Leap.” She was a strike captain for the WGA during the 2007-08 strike.
These young talents represent the resilience and determination of Gen Z in the face of adversity. Their stories and commitment to fighting for a fair and just industry shine a light on the importance of labor movements and the future of storytelling. As they continue to navigate the challenges that lay ahead, their creativity and passion will undoubtedly shape the future of Hollywood.
By: Ruth Etiesit Samuel (Culture Reporter), Erin E. Evans (Senior Editor, Culture), Jillian Capewell (Senior Copy Editor), Cambria Roth (Senior Audience Editor), Christy Havranek (Head of Visuals), Damon Scheleur (Senior Photo Editor), Benjamin Currie (Art Director), Maddie Abuyuan (Associate Editorial Designer)
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
