Through-the-Back-Door-photo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Every year about this time, I get a slew of emails and phone calls from students looking to get a job in video and film production, which is a big part of how I make my living, and has been for 30 years.
I have to say, the video and film world hasn’t changed much over the year in terms of how you break in — this despite an ever-increasing number of video and film undergrad and graduate programs.
Few of us can afford to hire someone full-time these days, plus we’d be reluctant to hire an untried worker. Once, I hired someone for the summer who ended up falling asleep during an interview. Yes, it was hot; yes, the interview was long.
Then, a cameraman tried his best to get shots of feral cats being trapped in the wee hours of the night. The visual was clear enough but he wasn’t trained, I fear, well enough to be able to wait for the shot, even for a few seconds. We got lots of traps clapping shut, or having been clapped shut moments before. It was maddening.
Another time, I hired a crew through a well-known crew broker (whom I love!), and part-way through the interview realized that there was a buzzing sound in the room. It was the audio guy. Asleep on a very comfortable couch in an air-conditioned suite in Las Vegas. I’m just saying that it’s important to us producers and directors to hire the best of the best. Sir.
There are lots of stories of just not getting the best.
You might get lucky, if you have a friend or relative in the business. But most likely, you’ll start off by volunteering. Or even just watching — until someone says, “Hey, you! We could use an extra set of hands over here.” One day, you’ll be given a chance to assistant produce, or perhaps assist the film or video cameraperson. The opportunity will come out of nowhere and, as is often the case, it comes before you expect it.
But once you’re in, and you prove that you can show up on time as well as give 110% even after midnight, you’re in.
Suddenly, producers are handing your name around. You’re in the credits. Or some such.
The nature of film and video production is that there are many jobs that you can’t possibly train for in school, or at least learn fully. Your full dedication and ambition will keep you on the mark, and you might well find that you find a job that you had never imagined clicking for you. Wardrobe. Script supervisor. Line producer.
How to get a job in film and video production
- Call your local film and video office (or find them online) and review the local directory of video and filmmakers. Attend their meetings. People always welcome newcomers eager to learn.
- Locate a Women in Film and Video chapter in your region for a copy of their directory. In the listings, individuals and companies list either the kind of clients they have, or actual names of clients and productions. Here’s a list of Women in Film and Video chapters worldwide. Attend some meetings.
- Find a statewide of regional directory of video and film services in your geographic area. Oz Publishing makes one for just about every part of the United States.
- Choose some video and film production companies that sound sympatico with your dream jobs.
- Call production companies. There are always names listed next to production companies. Tell them you want to volunteer. If you don’t hear back within a week or two, call again. Like any kind of marketing, persistence pays off.
- If this doesn’t work, or even if it does, call up people and companies who do the kind of work you want to do (camera, lighting, writing) and ask for half an hour of their time so you can interview them about their jobs. You’d be surprised how well this works. People who don’t have “a second” to chat on the phone with job seekers will clear their calendars to help people who genuinely want to know more about the industry.
Media is an exciting industry. The best way for you to get ahead is to be excited as well. I know you need a paycheck, but you’re young, right? Leave a day or two a month to help out on other people’s productions, and you’ll watch the world begin to open up to you.
Related articles
- Tips on How to Become a Freelance Cameraman (brighthub.com)
- Tips for Applying to Documentary Film Internships (brighthub.com)
Great article. I did some of these things, mostly by bothering friends of friends and now I work for an established video production company based just outside London.
I wrote some thoughts of my own as to how to get into the industry.
http://www.liquidproductions.co.uk/743/how-to-get-into-the-video-production-industry
I think it is great that there are articles out there for people to learn how to get into the industry. Getting into the film industry isn’t easy but it isn’t much different than any other industry. In almost any industry nowadays, the only way you are going to get a job is by having experience so you are going to have to find a way to get that whether through an internship or volunteering. You also have to be persistence and not just sit and wait. You need to also make yourself noticeable and show you have a strong work ethic. If you really love what you want to do then you will do anything to get it.
Film and video. Yeah, everybody wants to get into film and video. Why? Fame and fortune. Only a small few actually want to get into it because they are true storytellers. Most people just want the attention. Hey look at me i’m important listen to my story isn’t it awesome yeah give me your accolades and follow me and worship me… Then the business aspect enters the art. How much money can we make.
If you truly are a filmmaker you have this great thing called the internet to display your work. You have great tools called editing software. You kids today have it easy and all you do is dream about being a filmmaker and how much p**** you’ll get because you are a loser in that department.
The market is flooded with wannabes and wackos. We have to play nice because we don’t know who the real filmmakers are from the fake dreamers. You want in on an industry that lies for a living. Film school is now a collective of bullish***** who just talk and talk and talk about how their idea is the best.
Let’s see you write a story. Then put that story onto the screen in the way you envisioned it. Oh you don’t have the money or the tools. Then you don’t have what it takes and are not serious about being a true filmmaker. Do you seriously think that someone else is going to give you the money? Oh here kid give it try. Here’s a million dollars for you to show us how good you are. Wake up.
Go to school to learn how to be productive to get a real job where you make real money and actual become self sufficient and not a drain on society. Save up for things like retirement emergencies go travel. See the world. And along the way take a camera with you. Do you understand?…
Great article.