Free Master Classes Help Hollywood Workers Transition To The Creator Economy

As job losses mount in Los Angeles film and television industry, a leading digital talent firm is stepping in to help entertainment professionals adapt.

G&B Digital Management, one of the first and largest independent digital talent management firms, is offering a free, in-person master class aimed at teaching actors, creatives, and crew members how to thrive in the creator economy. Titled “Flipping the Script,” the four-hour master class is being offered through G&Bs educational arm, College of Influence. 

“Every day I get calls and emails from workers in the film and television industry asking about opportunities in the Creator Economy, making it very clear theres a huge cultural shift taking place,” said G&B Founder and CEO Kyle Hjelmeseth. “With many out of work and dealing with the challenges of this transition, there’s an urgent need for education and training. That’s why we wanted to offer this class free of charge and provide the tools to help creatives grow their audience, build community, and amplify their careers on and off the screen.”

Founded in 2015, G&B Digital Management oversees a roster of more than 100 content creators and has generated nearly $100 million in brand partnerships with companies including Chanel, Dior, Target, Estée Lauder, Disney, and Walmart. The College of Influence, G&Bs educational division, provides training for influencers, public figures, brands, and digital newcomers on how to grow and monetize their online presence. The organization aims to equip emerging creators with the tools they need to turn influence into opportunity.

There are two Flipping the Script master classes scheduled, on Aug. 21 and Sept. 4 at Soho Houses Soho Works in West Hollywood. Registration is now open to members of A.M.P.A.S., the Television Academy, and the various Hollywood guilds.

Each master class will consist of three sessions, the first two of which are led by Hjelmeseth and G&B Director of Education Joey Gagliardi. Session 1, “The Tools of Influence,” will teach attendees how to find their niche and stand out in a crowded digital space, as well as how to build trust with their audience. Session 2, “Selling via Social and Building Connection Through Content,” will teach attendees how to construct a marketable profile, establish a strategic plan, and promote partnerships, with a hands-on content creation assignment.

The third session features a panel discussion titled “The Intersection of Hollywood & Real-World Creator Dynamics,” with panelists Stephanie Liu Hjelmeseth, actress-turned-content creator Sally Pressman (“Army Wives”), and Chad Jamian, the actor and entertainer behind the viral cat account @mervthepet. The panel will be moderated by Kyle Hjelmeseth.

The creator economy has emerged as a rapidly growing sector, offering new opportunities as traditional entertainment employment contracts. While Los Angeles film and TV production declined by 5.6% in 2024 and dropped another 22.4% in Q1 2025 compared to the previous year, digital content is surging. Nielsen reports YouTube is now the most-watched video platform in the U.S., and Goldman Sachs projects the creator economy could reach $480 billion by 2027.