How to Get a Job in the Film Industry

What to Do to Get You on the Set of the Next Blockbuster

If you want to work in film getting a job can be very difficult. Here are a few tips to help you along the way and get you working on your first feature in no time.

Network

The film industry is all about who you know. If you have friends involved in the industry, keep in touch with them. If your friends have friends involved in the industry, get to know them. You never know who will land a great job on a movie you want to work on, and can help you get in as well. It's important when networking not to seem like you're friends with someone just to get a job., that can come off badly and hurt you more than help you. If you're throwing a dinner party, send them an invite. Just keeping casual contact with some people can help keep you in mind should an opportunity become available.

Work For Free

No one wants to work for free. In the film industry working for free can however open the doors to bigger and better thing later on. The more experience you have the more attractive you will be to potential employers. Sometimes getting that experience will require you to work on some films for free. No one is going to pay you to work lights for their feature film, if you've never run lights before in a feature film. You can however often get jobs as a newbie on independent films. Small independent films are a great way to develop some real movie experience, and network with other people in the business. You may not get paid in cash; you will get tons of experience that will pay off in the long run.

Keep a Reel

Your reel is one of the most important things you can have as a film maker. Keep copies of every film that you work on, as well as contact information for other who worked on the film. Many films will want to see samples of your past work before hiring you on to work on their film. Having a reel already on hand can help speed up your hiring process and showcase what you can do.

Be Persistent