Given its status as the home of Silicon Valley, San Francisco has long been connected to digital innovations, creativity and progress. The city’s ecosystem for digital entertainment companies has cultivated an expansive entertainment and media industry. With more than 300 digital media firms calling the Bay Area home, including industry giants like Youtube, Electronic Arts and Twitter, San Francisco has solidified its position as a global hub for technological advancements in media and entertainment. Since the inauguration of the Letterman Digital Arts Center in 2005 and the tireless efforts of organizations like BAYCAT, San Francisco has continued to nurture the next generation of digital talent. Institutions like San Francisco State University further strengthen the city’s reputation as a leader in the digital media landscape, attracting a steady influx of skilled professionals eager to contribute to the industry’s growth. However, the beginning of 2024 shook the entertainment industry to its core in the face of massive layoffs that swept across major players in film, TV, music and gaming, which spelled a turbulent year ahead. The layoffs come as a result of diminishing revenue following the COVID-19 boom in entertainment consumption. Tech behemoths like Amazon and Discord, alongside entertainment giants like Pixar and Universal Music Group, have been forced to make tough decisions in the face of mounting pressures to streamline operations and reduce costs. Unity Software, a prominent game company headquartered in San Francisco, recently announced significant layoffs amounting to roughly 25% of its workforce, signaling a strategic shift aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability and profitability. Similarly, Discord, deeply entrenched in the gaming community, was not immune to the downturn, with nearly 17% of its workforce impacted by recent layoffs. These developments underscore the complex interplay between technology, entertainment, and economic forces shaping the industry's landscape.