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.
However, although the film industry is very competitive, it is possible to make a lifelong career working within it. Below, you’ll find some practical tips on how to kick-start your film career.
Starting Out
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 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 may not be particularly 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.
Transferable Skills
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 on 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.
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, which we’ll list below.
Ask Your Contacts
Firstly, the film industry is all about connections, and the easiest way to find work is through a recommendation. That is to say, if you know someone already working in the industry, ask them if they can help you.
This is not just exclusive to family but to friends, past colleagues, and old classmates. If you are still in education, your professor may also be able to help you out. Asking your contacts is the easiest way to find a film internship.
This is because people are more likely to hire someone if they are recommended by someone they already know and trust. So, have a look through your contact list, both online and offline. Perhaps you won’t need to search too far to find a placement.
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 so that you will not have to be looking for work consistently.
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. Here are a few of the main film job sites.
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. Here are a few to get started.
- Film Industry Network
- Georgia Filmmakers Network
- San Francisco Filmmakers
- New York Filmmakers
- Florida Independent Filmmakers
Internships
An internship allows you to experience work within your desired field before committing to a job. In film production, this could take place as a position in a production office or working amongst a film crew.
Many production companies have year-round film internships. This is especially true for large companies such as Warner Bros, Lucasfilm, and Pixar. You can also find these by searching Google and checking out the career pages on their official company websites.
However, smaller companies might also need a film intern. To find a placement, you will need to send many emails to different companies. However, write a personalized email for each application, and don’t copy and paste a generic inquiry.
One benefit of applying to a production company is that you may be asked to stay and work for them.
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.
Film Charities
You can find film charity groups worldwide that aim to help filmmakers find work. If you are new to the industry and within a specific group, a charity can help you get started.
These film groups are for women in film, BAME, or veterans. However, they can also help students find work experience and offer general education to newcomers.
Your local film agency can help you find training placements near you. For example, their websites might list local training programs and film clubs. Some of these sites also have paid work experience and resume feedback services.
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.
Film Festivals
Not only are film festivals a great place to network, but they also frequently hire interns or volunteers. Although this will mean doing basic work (for example, checking tickets at the cinema entrance), you will also get the chance to attend events and meet filmmakers.
You can also add this as work experience on your resume. In addition to the big festivals, hundreds of thousands more take place all over the world year-round.
You can also search for film festivals with Film Freeway; often, festival sites have a volunteer sign-up section.
Low-Budget Films
Lastly, you can find work experience on independent low-budget film sets. Producers are always on the lookout for volunteers to help them during production. Once again, this will be basic work, but a key benefit is that it will give you on-the-job film crew training.
You can find low-budget productions by looking on film job sites and social media and by contacting small local production companies directly. The Facebook groups mentioned are an excellent way to see what low-budget productions are taking place in your area.
Sidestep Into Another Industry
You might call yourself a filmmaker, but that doesn’t stop you from only working in the film industry. Throughout your career, you will likely work in various media.
That’s because your skills are in demand within other creative sectors. For example:
- Animation
- Commercials
- VFX
- Games
- Events
It can also be helpful to branch out your income as a freelance filmmaker. However, you will find that it is slightly different to find work in these other areas.
Your career development might not be what you expect, but it is reassuring that you can work across a range of creative industries. What matters is that you keep developing your skills and continue to learn throughout your career.
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!
