Top 5 Tips For Starting Out in the Film Industry (2023)
I sometimes wonder, what if I went back to the beginning? With all the knowledge six years in this industry has taught me. Would I do things differently?
Absolutely!
I began my career in the entertainment industry as an actor. Ironically at acting school I discovered that I like being behind the camera with the crew instead of in front of it. I got my bachelors degree in Film and Video Production and set off to become the next Wes Anderson. Yea, that didn’t happen.
The bulk of my early career consisted of “free gigs,” Weddings, and music videos for artists you’ve never heard of (and probably never will). Eventually I found myself on set with increasingly more influential people. Several commercials for companies like Doritos, Budweiser, IBM, and many more successful local businesses. I got on set with the Food Network helping to produce the famous TV show Chopped. I continued to help up and coming artists get seen and make a name for themselves. Artists like Ghostemane and Deem Spencer.
It has been a thrilling ride and a massive learning experience. I'd like to share some points with you that I’ve learned so you can avoid some of the mistakes I’ve made.
School isn’t necessary
I spent a total of 5 years in the classroom learning things that I would have learned on set. Can you imagine how much further along I would have been if I had just gone straight into the industry. Sure, I would have had to take more low end roles like Production Assistant or 3rd Assistant Camera, but I ended up working those jobs anyway some of the time.
If I had spent those five years climbing the ladder, networking and not racking up student debt then I would definitely be further along than I currently am. Which leads me to my next point:
Network Network Network
This is a referral business, plain and simple. You do a good job and the crew likes you, guess what. You’re getting the call the next time they have a project. It’s actually wild how many people don’t understand this simple concept. Seems like common sense right? But, how do you get people to like you? I’ll tell you the secret. Be a team player. Seriously. That’s it. Focus on the needs of the team and figure out how you can fulfill those needs. Don’t step on your crew’s toes by trying to do their job or even worse, pretending like you could do better in their shoes. Always collaborate and never criticize or complain.
In order to successfully grow your network and have consistent work you need to be the kind of person they want around. Seriously, the bar is so low because people don’t know how to compose themselves. Your network will grow organically if you can just be decent and hardworking.
Have Boundaries
So that whole being a decent hardworking person thing goes both ways. Some people, despite their persona non grata attitude, still make it in this industry because they are wealthy or well-connected. YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORK FOR THEM! I refused jobs in the past because I knew the Producer or Director was a clown. Some of these jobs were high ticket and high paying. It took me a long time to realize that it’s ok to have self respect in this industry and not accept every paid gig that comes my way. In fact, it is actually beneficial because a toxic set like that can affect you in a way that may lead you to carry that attitude into your next gig. You’ll save your mental and physical health by having boundaries.
How do you turn these jobs down cordially? Well you can tell them you are currently working on other projects. Always be respectful and professional when doing this. It keeps you desirable and the decent people working on that project may reach out to you for other projects in the future.
Get rid of the scarcity mindset
A lot of people, especially early on in your career, will make you feel like it will take forever to obtain stability and profitability in this industry. They will tell you that it’s impossible to get on the big productions and gigs are few and far between. These are often the people who haven’t actually tried. They did a few gigs and gave up or settled when it got tough. It IS a tough industry no doubt. But that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible, certainly if you know where to start.
When I was working on Chopped, the executive producer in charge of staffing the crew was desperate to find more Production Assistants. They were understaffed! Granted, being a PA meant that you are not getting paid a ton, you are making coffee runs for the producers and director, and wiping down the ovens after the contestants made a mess out of them. But, you have access to be able to network with all of those crew members! They were hiring people with little to nothing on their resumes and kids straight out of college!
This isn’t just Chopped. This is all over the industry. Music Video, TV, Commercial, Blockbusters and B-Movies are all desperate for decent hardworking people. The problem is people expect to get hired as Camera or Gaffer with no reputation or credibility behind them. So go get yourself some.
Always have Personal Projects
Don’t be the guy who settles into a wedding videographer job and just plays video games. Nothing against wedding videographers, they make a killing and some have mastered the art, but if that’s not what you want to do then don’t. Work on your craft, get better at the thing you want to do. If it’s Camera then go out and shoot B-roll. Practice different methods, try different lighting, get some friends together and make a short film. You will become better at your craft, build your portfolio, explore your passion and ultimately become more hirable.
I could probably do another twenty of these but I’ll save them for another time. I can speak to these things because they are mistakes I’ve made. I’ve been that guy who was not a team player, had no boundaries and no personal projects. Don’t be that guy.
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