Recently, the internet has blown up with the news that you can get paid to do what you already do for free: binge-watch Netflix. Yes, Netflix employs “taggers” who watch their programming and then both analyze and categorize it, making Netflix’s recommendations for you a bit more personalized than an algorithm.
Before you get too excited, don’t send out your CV just yet unless you’ve got “a degree in film or film history and/or experience directing, screening writing or filmmaking. Applicants with analysis experience (e.g., as a critic or work in development) would also be well suited.” Oh, and you must live in the UK or Ireland, too. Sorry to be a dream-crusher!
At this point, you may be thinking, But Mia, aren’t your dreams crushed, too? After all, aren’t you the girl who talks about Netflix all the time? Who studies it for every school project she can? Who aspires to work there?
Here’s the thing, hypothetical questioner who knows me very well: I’ve got my eyes set a little higher than a job simply binge-watching Netflix (though believe me, if offered the position, I would NOT turn it down). But Netflix is so much more than just a streaming platform. It’s a globalizing force.
It’s an innovator in technology. It’s a test of concepts. To work for this company and only have the capacity to consume what it produces rather than have a say in it would be an unsatisfactory middle ground—for me, at least.
So while everyone else is keeping their eyes open for Netflix’s next binge-watching position, catch me scanning their job postings for careers that are a bit higher in ranking. For example, being a Dubbing Operations Specialist—how cool would it be to supervise all aspects of dubbing production, a task that includes working with original content, international teams, and distribution?
Or how about being the Coordinator of Post-Production for Major/Indie TV, a role that requires you to “Schedule and attend screenings, previews, premieres, etc.” Yeah, I’ll take not only attending but organizing exclusive premieres in L.A. over reporting which series have “strong female leads” from my couch any day.
Point is, in order to truly appreciate the genius of Netflix, you need to look beyond (and behind) its content. While watching TV for the rest of your life might seem amazing at first, I guarantee you’ll get bored after a while. There’s only so long you can take it before your eyes glaze over, however engaging the content is (as confirmed by my experience at a film festival this past weekend). I’d much rather be working to draw eyes from all around the world.
