Dance, Monkey, Dance: The TikTokification of An Arts Career

Is this the new working for exposure?

You’re probably asking, “Why is this paywalled?” Paid subscribers are the backbone of The Film Maven and becoming one shows support for independent journalism, as well as female- and disabled-created content. If you want to read the full story consider becoming a paid-subscriber. It also allows me to write really fun articles. And becoming a paid subscriber gives you access to The Trade, my examination and exploration of topics in the entertainment industry, my Popcorn Disability articles on disabled representation in film, and more. I also cross post these over at The Film Maven Patreon where you can subscribe, at the same price, without supporting Substack itself. So consider becoming a paid subscriber today!

It’s the last phrase any creative person wants to hear: Your social media needs to be bigger. Since I graduated college in 2006, I have never had a job that didn’t involve writing in some capacity. Copywriting to corporate communications to editorial to corporate social media to book. That’s the exact trajectory of the jobs that I’ve had over the last 19 years, and I thank my lucky stars that I’ve gotten as many chances as I have on a Bachelor’s of Arts. But, alas, in the decade after Facebook told us we should “pivot to video,” this writer is facing an existential dread:

Must I really garner a following on TikTok before I can continue my work?