A recent community survey conducted by Humanitas is shedding light on the issue of food insecurity within the TV and film writing industry. The survey, called the Groceries for Writers Food Insecurity Survey, was designed to gather data on the conditions and effects of insufficient access to food among emerging and professional screenwriters in the United States.
The survey was initiated by Humanitas, a nonprofit organization behind various programs and awards in the entertainment industry. It was inspired by the challenges faced by writers who were applying for the organization's grocery cards program during the Writers Guild of America (WGA) work stoppage in 2022. Many writers shared their personal struggles, revealing a larger narrative of suffering within the community.
Using the framework of food security defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the survey included a mix of closed and open-ended questions to gather both qualitative and quantitative insights into the mental, physical, and professional impacts of food insecurity. It was open to all screenwriters and was available through the Humanitas website, social media, and partner organizations.
The survey collected a total of 509 responses over a 17-day period, with 100 film writers and 409 TV writers participating. The findings were significant, with nearly two-thirds of writers reporting that they sometimes, often, or always worried about having enough food for themselves and their families. Additionally, 60.7% of respondents revealed that they had skipped meals due to a lack of resources.
The impact of food insecurity on writers' mental and physical health was also evident. Approximately 77% of participants stated that food insecurity had a significant or some impact on their mental health, while 64.6% reported similar effects on their physical well-being.
Although the survey's sample size of 500 writers is not statistically representative of the entire screenwriting community, the results still indicate that food insecurity is a prevalent issue among this population. The margin of error for the survey was determined to be plus or minus 4.1%.
The survey highlighted the financial challenges faced by screenwriters, as well. Around 51% of respondents revealed that they could not afford to eat balanced meals in the past year. Additionally, approximately 42% of all writers reported having to choose between buying food and paying for essential expenses such as rent, utilities, and medical bills.
The survey also touched upon the experiences of writers from marginalized groups. Writers who identified as people of color (POC), mixed, disabled, and/or neurodivergent reported higher rates of food insecurity. Lower-level TV writers, in particular, shared that their job performance, physical well-being, and mental health were significantly impacted by food insecurity compared to their higher-level counterparts.
Feature writers who relied on writing as their primary income also expressed concerns regarding mental health and providing food for their families. They reported higher rates of worry about food accessibility and a higher propensity to skip meals compared to writers who did not rely solely on their writing income.
Some writers attributed their food insecurity to the higher cost of living in industry hubs like Los Angeles and New York, as well as inflation in other cities. To cope with their financial challenges, writers resorted to inexpensive and unhealthy food options, utilized food assistance programs, ate smaller portions, received help from family, skipped meals, visited food banks, or accumulated credit card debt.
The survey also highlighted the financial instability of the entertainment industry's pay system. The respondents emphasized the unpredictable nature of income and employment in film and TV, making it difficult for them to estimate their annual and monthly incomes. Many writers raised concerns about the limited access to food assistance programs due to the irregular nature of their income.
In light of the survey findings, Humanitas hopes that the data can be used as a tool to address food insecurity among screenwriters. They believe it should be an area of focus during future union negotiations and that the industry itself should take responsibility for addressing these issues.
The goal is to ensure that writers are paid a sustainable living wage, tackle the challenges faced by early-career writers, and collectively find solutions that move the community forward. Humanitas hopes that the survey findings will contribute to a more equitable and supportive environment for writers in the entertainment industry.
