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What made you choose working on a film crew? Are there certain qualities that help you be more efficient at what you do?
I am 18 and in High School. I enjoy films and would like to work behind the scenes.
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Leslie’s Answer
Hi Hannia!
I have been shooting film , writing plays and acting since I was a kid. I realized acting wasn't what I wanted to pursue and took a film class in college and had a aha moment, that film was my calling. I heard a movie was shooting in Oregon at a resort in the mountain's and went there and got a meeting with the production manager. I was hired onto the 2nd unit doing props and wardrobe for stunts & special effects . I had no idea what I was doing, but knew I had to meet with the 1st unit to get props and wardrobe and make sure I have everything for the shots we would be doing each day. That was the most and still is the most important thing you can do to make yourself efficient, tap into the experts. After 40 years of production, I am still doing the same. I have a commercial I'm producing and to get an accurate budget and ideas for how to produce some vfx, I will call the vfx company and explain the shot I want and get an estimate on the shots they will composite for me. I will also talk through the shots with the client and decide what shots I can buy and what shots I will have to shoot, keeping budget in mind. I will do the same for music. Tap into resources and do your homework. Think of everything you need and how to get it before you get to the set.
I have been shooting film , writing plays and acting since I was a kid. I realized acting wasn't what I wanted to pursue and took a film class in college and had a aha moment, that film was my calling. I heard a movie was shooting in Oregon at a resort in the mountain's and went there and got a meeting with the production manager. I was hired onto the 2nd unit doing props and wardrobe for stunts & special effects . I had no idea what I was doing, but knew I had to meet with the 1st unit to get props and wardrobe and make sure I have everything for the shots we would be doing each day. That was the most and still is the most important thing you can do to make yourself efficient, tap into the experts. After 40 years of production, I am still doing the same. I have a commercial I'm producing and to get an accurate budget and ideas for how to produce some vfx, I will call the vfx company and explain the shot I want and get an estimate on the shots they will composite for me. I will also talk through the shots with the client and decide what shots I can buy and what shots I will have to shoot, keeping budget in mind. I will do the same for music. Tap into resources and do your homework. Think of everything you need and how to get it before you get to the set.
Thank you for responding it was very helpful. I would also like to ask you about if you have sufficient free time in between projects. How much time do you typically have off in a year?
Hannia
It depends on if you work regularly for a busy company and/or how fast word travels regarding the quality of your work as a freelancer.
Leslie Bloom
I would also add it depends on your financial situation - if you have a spouse that is in a different industry or income is regular, you can have more time "off" because at the end of the day - you need to make rent and eat. If your only source of income is your freelance work, you will be on the hustle to make sure you have the next job lined up. Time off is not desired, and you will use that time looking for work, or pursuing other things like passion projects.
Marshall Main
Another caveat would be seasonal changes - most markets have busy and dry seasons - if your busy seasons gives you what you need to make it through the Dry season, that may be time "off" from working as well. A freelancer can set their project schedule (take on projects you want to/ can do) within the limits of what's available on the market/ demand for your skillset.
Marshall Main
Updated
Marshall’s Answer
Hannia-
What got me into filmmaking was actually my personality. I took a career assessment test(s) and was told that I would be good at it, enjoy it and that I could make a living at it. At the time I didnt even think that was possible. I love the creative process, taking someone's vision, getting to add my "spice" to the mix and creating something in the end. While in film school, I really learned my passion was the camera - capturing something through the lens.
Film School can be a divisive subject, for me it was a great experience. You can meet like minded people, try out different roles/ departments and really find your passion. Also, it takes a lot of people to make a project be a success, and you can form long lasting relationships and learn from others skills. School is not for everyone, it just depends on you and a lot of factors in your life and career goals/ path you want to follow.
I would say on a basic level, skills that will make you successful would be:
Creative: Think outside the box, different ways to accomplish goals and be adaptable
Curious: wanting to learn, adapt and change and try new things [experiment/ make mistakes]
Dedicated/ Tenacious: Complete tasks/ goals and enjoy working hard, follow up on promises/ keep your word, do your job
Humility: You are part of a team, you don't always know the answers, seek others opinions and ideas [don't be a jerk/ego!]
Networking: Talk to people often, be real/ yourself, you never know where the next job will come from
Cool Head: Learn how to take criticism, have disagreements in a creative way, express ideas and give constructive feedback, know when to talk and when to shut up.
Beyond that, I would say yes, if you can PA/ get on set, do so. The other thing to look into is possibility of school/ clubs or hobbyist groups in your area. They may be working on a project that you can help out in/on.
What got me into filmmaking was actually my personality. I took a career assessment test(s) and was told that I would be good at it, enjoy it and that I could make a living at it. At the time I didnt even think that was possible. I love the creative process, taking someone's vision, getting to add my "spice" to the mix and creating something in the end. While in film school, I really learned my passion was the camera - capturing something through the lens.
Film School can be a divisive subject, for me it was a great experience. You can meet like minded people, try out different roles/ departments and really find your passion. Also, it takes a lot of people to make a project be a success, and you can form long lasting relationships and learn from others skills. School is not for everyone, it just depends on you and a lot of factors in your life and career goals/ path you want to follow.
I would say on a basic level, skills that will make you successful would be:
Creative: Think outside the box, different ways to accomplish goals and be adaptable
Curious: wanting to learn, adapt and change and try new things [experiment/ make mistakes]
Dedicated/ Tenacious: Complete tasks/ goals and enjoy working hard, follow up on promises/ keep your word, do your job
Humility: You are part of a team, you don't always know the answers, seek others opinions and ideas [don't be a jerk/ego!]
Networking: Talk to people often, be real/ yourself, you never know where the next job will come from
Cool Head: Learn how to take criticism, have disagreements in a creative way, express ideas and give constructive feedback, know when to talk and when to shut up.
Beyond that, I would say yes, if you can PA/ get on set, do so. The other thing to look into is possibility of school/ clubs or hobbyist groups in your area. They may be working on a project that you can help out in/on.
Updated
Marshall’s Answer
Hannia-
What got me into filmmaking was actually my personality. I took a career assessment test(s) and was told that I would be good at it, enjoy it and that I could make a living at it. At the time I didnt even think that was possible. I love the creative process, taking someone's vision, getting to add my "spice" to the mix and creating something in the end. While in film school, I really learned my passion was the camera - capturing something through the lens.
Film School can be a divisive subject, for me it was a great experience. You can meet like minded people, try out different roles/ departments and really find your passion. Also, it takes a lot of people to make a project be a success, and you can form long lasting relationships and learn from others' skills. School is not for everyone, it just depends on you and a lot of factors in your life and career goals/ path you want to follow.
I would say on a basic level, skills that will make you successful would be:
Creative: Think outside the box, different ways to accomplish goals and be adaptable
Curious: wanting to learn, adapt and change and try new things [experiment/ make mistakes]
Dedicated/ Tenacious: Complete tasks/ goals and enjoy working hard, follow up on promises/ keep your word, do your job
Humility: You are part of a team, you don't always know the answers, seek others opinions and ideas [don't be a jerk/ego!]
Networking: Talk to people often, be real/ yourself, you never know where the next job will come from
Cool Head: Learn how to take criticism, have disagreements in a creative way, express ideas and give constructive feedback, know when to talk and when to shut up.
Beyond that, I would say yes, if you can PA/ get on set, do so. The other thing to look into is possibility of school/ clubs or hobbyist groups in your area. They may be working on a project that you can help out in/on.
What got me into filmmaking was actually my personality. I took a career assessment test(s) and was told that I would be good at it, enjoy it and that I could make a living at it. At the time I didnt even think that was possible. I love the creative process, taking someone's vision, getting to add my "spice" to the mix and creating something in the end. While in film school, I really learned my passion was the camera - capturing something through the lens.
Film School can be a divisive subject, for me it was a great experience. You can meet like minded people, try out different roles/ departments and really find your passion. Also, it takes a lot of people to make a project be a success, and you can form long lasting relationships and learn from others' skills. School is not for everyone, it just depends on you and a lot of factors in your life and career goals/ path you want to follow.
I would say on a basic level, skills that will make you successful would be:
Creative: Think outside the box, different ways to accomplish goals and be adaptable
Curious: wanting to learn, adapt and change and try new things [experiment/ make mistakes]
Dedicated/ Tenacious: Complete tasks/ goals and enjoy working hard, follow up on promises/ keep your word, do your job
Humility: You are part of a team, you don't always know the answers, seek others opinions and ideas [don't be a jerk/ego!]
Networking: Talk to people often, be real/ yourself, you never know where the next job will come from
Cool Head: Learn how to take criticism, have disagreements in a creative way, express ideas and give constructive feedback, know when to talk and when to shut up.
Beyond that, I would say yes, if you can PA/ get on set, do so. The other thing to look into is possibility of school/ clubs or hobbyist groups in your area. They may be working on a project that you can help out in/on.