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What is the best way to secure a job in the film industry?
What is the best school, what connections should one try to make, etc.
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Hank’s Answer
My standard answer is this: If you really want to be in the film industry, "film school" may not be the best route.
Why?
First, a college level film program is rather expensive. If you're truly serious, my suggestion is to take the money you plan to spend on school and move to LA. You're in New York already--seems as if you're in the city-- and that could work, too.
Then research every legitimate film production company you can find and offer to apprentice yourself for free on their next productions. Tell them why. Keep working on films, figure out what particular discipline appeals to you the most, then focus on that.
If you learn, are great to work with, and are enthusiastic, eventually you will start to get paid.
So why not film school?
First, every single student is at your level. They all want what you want. What you need are people in the industry above you. Those are the ones who can help your career. Sure, film school might be fun, but you can spend way less money and have way more fun doing pretty much anything else.
All that said, there's nothing wrong with a college education. But I never asked one single person who has worked on any of my productions where they went to college or even if they went to college.
When I was growing up, my dad often reminded me, "Aim high. There are fewer people at the top."
The film industry is still very much an apprentice-driven enterprise. You can see it in film ending credits. Becoming a film school graduate for tens of thousands of dollars may still not get you in the door of what is actually a pretty small industry. But hanging out, seeking out professional-level contacts now--not after four years of school, and offering to help for free can go a long way toward making a career.
If you have unlimited financial resources, sure, spend four years in film school. But realize after you graduate you will still start at the bottom.
Which is where you may be now.
Decide if you really, really, really want to be in the film industry. It can be a heartbreaking endeavor.
Compare the cost of film school versus surviving in a filmmaking-rich city. Also, there are hundreds of YouTube videos on every aspect of filmmaking. Learn the language.
Pick a city and research production companies (obviously NY or LA). Watch film ending credits for people and company names.
Make test inquiries from where you are now (costs pretty much nothing to do that).
Ask a famous filmmaker to mentor you. It's risky but so what? Find ways to apprentice yourself to film productions.
Why?
First, a college level film program is rather expensive. If you're truly serious, my suggestion is to take the money you plan to spend on school and move to LA. You're in New York already--seems as if you're in the city-- and that could work, too.
Then research every legitimate film production company you can find and offer to apprentice yourself for free on their next productions. Tell them why. Keep working on films, figure out what particular discipline appeals to you the most, then focus on that.
If you learn, are great to work with, and are enthusiastic, eventually you will start to get paid.
So why not film school?
First, every single student is at your level. They all want what you want. What you need are people in the industry above you. Those are the ones who can help your career. Sure, film school might be fun, but you can spend way less money and have way more fun doing pretty much anything else.
All that said, there's nothing wrong with a college education. But I never asked one single person who has worked on any of my productions where they went to college or even if they went to college.
When I was growing up, my dad often reminded me, "Aim high. There are fewer people at the top."
The film industry is still very much an apprentice-driven enterprise. You can see it in film ending credits. Becoming a film school graduate for tens of thousands of dollars may still not get you in the door of what is actually a pretty small industry. But hanging out, seeking out professional-level contacts now--not after four years of school, and offering to help for free can go a long way toward making a career.
If you have unlimited financial resources, sure, spend four years in film school. But realize after you graduate you will still start at the bottom.
Which is where you may be now.
Hank recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Chris’s Answer
If you want to be on the creative and production side of things, start working on projects available in your area or make your own projects. It's important to have some type of reel or video portfolio of your work. This could be something as simple as a YouTube or TikTok account where you showcase your work or as fancy as having a website with links to your work. The more you work on productions, the more people you will get to know, and the more you can add to your portfolio and your resume. There are a lot of great online screenwriting courses and guides as well as video tutorials about lighting, sound, camera work, and editing. The more work you have to show off, the better!
If you do not want or need to be on the creative side of things, there are TONS of jobs within the film industry such as accounting, food services, office/administrative tasks, location scouting, and legal services. Have a specialized skill and focus on applying to positions within the film industry specifically. Once you get the first job and do well at it, you will meet people and network and be in-the-know to find other jobs as they arise.
If you do not want or need to be on the creative side of things, there are TONS of jobs within the film industry such as accounting, food services, office/administrative tasks, location scouting, and legal services. Have a specialized skill and focus on applying to positions within the film industry specifically. Once you get the first job and do well at it, you will meet people and network and be in-the-know to find other jobs as they arise.
Updated
Mary’s Answer
The best film school is no film school. I went to USC for film and really wish I'd just stayed doing what I did BEFORE college.
In high school, I got an internship at a local film/tv studio (in Northern California). The first year was unpaid and I received work study credit for school. The 2nd year they offered me minimum wage and I stayed on for a 3rd year. I was editing, doing sound work, going to on-production shoots, being the assistance camera person, runner, etc. I loved it. My hands were deeply in what I already wanted to do.
I thought that USC would launch me to the next level. Instead, it bogged me down in student loan debt and taught me outdated practices that weren't applicable to the real world.
They invited in all of the top directors, producers, screenwriters, and actors to talk to us and give us advice (which was amazing) but they all said: "Work for free in the industry for a year or more, making connections. Eventually, you'll start getting hired and meeting the people you need to book your next gig". Almost none of them went to film school.
My roommate after college, who didn't major in film at all and came out of college in Boston, moved to California and almost accidentally fell into the make-up industry. She didn't go to school for it and she did exactly what the professionals all said..."Work for free". It took her years of those low paying gigs to get onto the larger productions. Even working unendingly on top movies and tv shows, it STILL took over a decade for her to get into the union where she was considered a legit hire. She's doing great, even won an Emmy, but film school had nothing to do with it.
In high school, I got an internship at a local film/tv studio (in Northern California). The first year was unpaid and I received work study credit for school. The 2nd year they offered me minimum wage and I stayed on for a 3rd year. I was editing, doing sound work, going to on-production shoots, being the assistance camera person, runner, etc. I loved it. My hands were deeply in what I already wanted to do.
I thought that USC would launch me to the next level. Instead, it bogged me down in student loan debt and taught me outdated practices that weren't applicable to the real world.
They invited in all of the top directors, producers, screenwriters, and actors to talk to us and give us advice (which was amazing) but they all said: "Work for free in the industry for a year or more, making connections. Eventually, you'll start getting hired and meeting the people you need to book your next gig". Almost none of them went to film school.
My roommate after college, who didn't major in film at all and came out of college in Boston, moved to California and almost accidentally fell into the make-up industry. She didn't go to school for it and she did exactly what the professionals all said..."Work for free". It took her years of those low paying gigs to get onto the larger productions. Even working unendingly on top movies and tv shows, it STILL took over a decade for her to get into the union where she was considered a legit hire. She's doing great, even won an Emmy, but film school had nothing to do with it.
Updated
Gabriela’s Answer
Hi Andi! I have plenty of friends in the film industry who attended NYU, Parsons, and the New School. I'd look into those schools! Additionally, USC has a great film program.
Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!
Updated
ANDI’s Answer
I'd say it depends on the job you're looking for in the industry.
My mom was in community college for accounting. One of her instructors used to be a film accountant. She made some calls and my mom ended up being the same for a number of years. She started in payroll and then moved over to the corporate billing side. She'd work on a movie or show for a few months, then take a hiatus for a little while and then find another project to work on. A lot of work was in our town, so she was home at night, but she did have to travel quite a bit, depending on locale. Through her, my siblings and I started becoming extras on sets and then I becase an accounting file clerk and my sister became a production assistant.
I would see which avenue you're interested in and start looking for upcoming projects in your area. You may be able to get a small job on set to get your foot in the door and get your name out there. Word of mouth goes a long way and eventually you'll begin getting calls from people you previously worked with, asking if you'd like to work on future projects with them.
My mom was in community college for accounting. One of her instructors used to be a film accountant. She made some calls and my mom ended up being the same for a number of years. She started in payroll and then moved over to the corporate billing side. She'd work on a movie or show for a few months, then take a hiatus for a little while and then find another project to work on. A lot of work was in our town, so she was home at night, but she did have to travel quite a bit, depending on locale. Through her, my siblings and I started becoming extras on sets and then I becase an accounting file clerk and my sister became a production assistant.
I would see which avenue you're interested in and start looking for upcoming projects in your area. You may be able to get a small job on set to get your foot in the door and get your name out there. Word of mouth goes a long way and eventually you'll begin getting calls from people you previously worked with, asking if you'd like to work on future projects with them.
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