Thoughts on the entertainment industry

[vitejose]

I’ve been working in entertainment doing odd jobs (camera operator, audio engineer, stagehand) for the past couple years. However, in the past several months, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about whether it’s a worthwhile career choice—whether I am providing anything for the betterment of society. It’s just all so fleeting; people spend $50 to be titillated for three hours and then go home.

I like to use farming as a measuring stick:

• spiritually edifying physical labor
• provides real, concrete goods for society
• there are no televised Farmy awards for Best Farmer in a Supporting Role

Hopefully, you can see why I consider farming a worthwhile occupation for Christians (even though I currently have no plans to become a farmer).

But does entertainment meet the same standard? I’m thinking of film/television/theater, primarily, although I wonder this about some adjacent industries like journalism as well. I guess what I’m asking is this: Is the entertainment industry a viable or even possibly good career for a Catholic of good conscience?

 

[Irishmom2]

I suppose it would depend on who you work for. There are many good entertainment options. It would be a matter of finding a job working for a company that produces something worthwhile.

 

[Elf01]

I think society is very influenced by our entertainment. I think more people working on producing media that promotes Catholic values would be a good thing. Go for it.