To enter the film industry, you must first understand how the hiring process works. Unlike normal day jobs, the majority of film workers are self-employed.
As a result, this means finding your own work. This can be especially difficult in an industry where people typically hire those they know first. Although the film industry is very competitive, it is possible to make a lifelong career working within it.
Below, you will find some practical tips on how to kick-start your film career.
Starting Out As A Freelancer
As a filmmaker, you are likely going to be a self-employed freelancer. This means that you will be actively looking for clients to work for, as well as filing your tax returns.
Freelancers work on a job-by-job basis; however, there are a few contracted jobs in film production. Keep in mind that contracted production jobs are hard to come by. But if you are certain that you don’t want to be self-employed, look for work in the offices of film and media companies.
This work won’t necessarily be creative, but it will provide a more secure income.
Being self-employed isn’t easy. It will take time to build up a client list and become trusted. However, for many people, work does become easier after a few years.
Try To Be Patient
Firstly, to make enough regular income as a freelancer, you will need to build up a client base. This means promoting your services and building trust amongst a network of filmmakers. It will take time to meet enough people and find enough work to freelance full-time.
This is why many filmmakers have side jobs when they first start. Having a part-time, flexible job is useful during these early stages.
The majority of job roles in the film industry require previous work experience. This initial experience can be found in several ways.
- Working on student films
- Making your own films
- Working on low-budget productions
Find Entry-Level Film Jobs
Secondly, there are also entry-level film jobs that don’t require any past know-how. However, since the film industry is highly competitive, producers will still prefer to hire people with initial experience.
The traditional entry-level job roles are production assistant and trainee. A production runner is a general entry-level role that requires basic work across all departments (such as making tea and coffee). A trainee is an apprenticeship-type position working for a specific department, such as a grip trainee, camera trainee, and make-up trainee.
So, specific trainee positions like this are great if you already know what department you would like to work in. The runner role allows you to work across various departments and experience how they all work together.
Set Work Routes
Another way to get into the film industry is to work within your desired job role straight away. This could mean working on low-budget films for many years before being trusted in professional productions.
As a result, many people work between low-budget films and professional work. This allows you to practice your desired job while earning a decent income.
For example, a person might work as a production designer on low budgets and as an art department assistant on professional productions. This allows them to build up their portfolio and still earn a good income.
Whatever your job role and work route, try to apply to jobs in bulk (expect to get 1 out of 10 jobs you apply for). In time, you will build up enough contacts and clients to not have to be looking for work consistently.
Check Film Job Sites
There are job sites that specifically advertise film work. Most work on these sites will be low-budget, but it is the easiest way to find local projects and build up your work experience.
Follow Film Facebook Groups
These groups are good for networking with other filmmakers and sometimes advertise their work. To find groups, use the Facebook search bar and look for groups that apply to you.
| Film Industry Network |
| Georgia Filmmakers Network |
| San Francisco Filmmakers |
| New York Filmmakers |
| Florida Independent Filmmakers |
Apply To Internships
Many major studios and small local production companies will offer film internships for aspiring filmmakers to get hands-on experience. These positions are competitive but worth it and might be your direct ticket into the film industry.
We also have another article that gives more tips on how and where to find film internships.
Contact Film Commissions
These are government-run organizations created to encourage filmmakers to shoot in particular regions. These sites will contain information and advice for local filmmakers and occasionally advertise professional work. On some of these sites, you can also add your details to a crew database.
The only catch is that film commissions favor people who already have experience in their job role. However, it can be useful to see what help your local commission can offer.
Start Networking
Many filmmakers and producers hire those they know and trust first. This is why networking is important if you want to get into the film industry. Networking can be as simple as meeting people on set or connecting with people on a Facebook group.
Film commissions, festivals, local cinemas, or unions also host networking events. By working on low budgets and taking advantage of training opportunities, you will eventually make enough contacts to freelance full-time.
Here are some organizations that run filmmaker networking events year-round.
Summary
To sum up, this is how to get into the film industry. It’s a matter of being active whilst building up your experience, skills, and contacts. Good luck!
FAQ
If you have never worked on a film set, you will need to find some initial work experience.
The film industry’s entry-level jobs are production assistant and trainee. If you have no previous on-set experience, these are likely the only positions you will be able to find paid work within.
A production assistant (or runner) is a general assistant on set who makes tea and coffee, answers phone calls, and drives actors to the set. In comparison, a trainee is a junior role within a specific department, such as a sound trainee, a camera trainee, or a grip trainee.
If you know exactly what department you wish to work in, it makes sense to pursue a trainee role. In contrast, apply for runner roles if you don’t know what job you want or wish to work within the production management team.
A career in the film industry might not have been your first career choice in life. So, if you find yourself switching jobs, consider how your past work can cross over to film.
For example, if you worked previously in an admin position, your current skills can transfer to a production office. Skills such as management, organization, teamwork, and budgeting also help a film set.
The advantage of having some past career experience is that you are more likely to be trusted with early responsibility. Additionally, you can use your past skills to move up the ladder faster and tailor your resume to meet the requirements.
As mentioned, you won’t usually find a full-time job on a film set. You will find them at production company offices and within television and commercial companies. These positions can still be creative but won’t be on feature films or TV series.
In reality, full-time work will be just as competitive as freelance film crew work. You will need to similarly start in entry-level positions or cross over your past career skills. Still, starting any new career, even if not creative, will take time.
Dream job roles include all of the above-the-line positions in the film industry, such as screenwriter, producer, director, actor, and DOP.
All of these popular roles don’t have a set career path. So, if you look at the biographies of people within these roles, you will find varied careers. Of course, what is certain is that you need to practice your craft, such as by making your own films, studying films, or learning by watching others.
Above all, you will need to be patient and never stop learning. Both of these will help you in your journey.
