4 answers
hannah
Student
Lima, Ohio
4
Questions
Asked
323 views
Hi!What would you suggest if you wanted to get started on a film career (whether that be on the screen or production team), as a teenager in high school? Thank you!?
I am also wondering which colleges would you recommend and what i should have on my resume to be considered. Also, how to immerse myself in film within my community.
Login to comment
4 answers
Leslie Lai
Social Impact @Roku
3
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Leslie’s Answer
Hi Hannah! One way to get more exposure to filmmaking while in high school is to join community organizations that provide training and networking to high school students. At Roku, we work with a national non-profit that offers these opportunities across the US, check out: https://freshfilms.org/
There are several more out there so I'm sure if you search online, you can find various programs by location and cost. Best of luck!
There are several more out there so I'm sure if you search online, you can find various programs by location and cost. Best of luck!
Devin Rice
Filmmaker
5
Answers
Saint Petersburg, Florida
Updated
Devin’s Answer
Hi Hannah,
It's awesome that you're being proactive about pursuing your interest in film, especially at your age!
Filmmaking is, by nature, a collaborative effort. A good film is crafted by a team of highly skilled people. This group of people was most likely assembled through networking. In my 35 years in the film business, I've never been on a film shoot where I didn't know anyone, and when I'm making a film, I first hire people I've worked with before, people I know and trust – and that came from networking.
The good news is you don't have to be in some big film town to find people who share your interest in film. You can start right now by networking in your school, in your neighborhood, in your town.
If you want to try acting, you can find someone who has an interest in being a director or cinematographer (they are definitely out there). If you think you might want to direct, you can find people who can write scripts or operate a camera or be your talent. If you want to try shooting and editing, a smart phone and free editing software can get you started.
THE KEY TO GETTING INTO FILM AND BEING SUCCESSFUL IS NETWORKING!
A great way to get experience is to get on someone else's film as a PA (production assistant) to learn how films are made at the ground level. Being a PA on a professional film shoot is hands down the best way to learn how films are actually made (and sometimes, to learn about what not to do!).
To quote a Hollywood film mogul, “ If you want to be a filmmaker, go make films!”
I wish you great success in your film journey!
It's awesome that you're being proactive about pursuing your interest in film, especially at your age!
Filmmaking is, by nature, a collaborative effort. A good film is crafted by a team of highly skilled people. This group of people was most likely assembled through networking. In my 35 years in the film business, I've never been on a film shoot where I didn't know anyone, and when I'm making a film, I first hire people I've worked with before, people I know and trust – and that came from networking.
The good news is you don't have to be in some big film town to find people who share your interest in film. You can start right now by networking in your school, in your neighborhood, in your town.
If you want to try acting, you can find someone who has an interest in being a director or cinematographer (they are definitely out there). If you think you might want to direct, you can find people who can write scripts or operate a camera or be your talent. If you want to try shooting and editing, a smart phone and free editing software can get you started.
THE KEY TO GETTING INTO FILM AND BEING SUCCESSFUL IS NETWORKING!
A great way to get experience is to get on someone else's film as a PA (production assistant) to learn how films are made at the ground level. Being a PA on a professional film shoot is hands down the best way to learn how films are actually made (and sometimes, to learn about what not to do!).
To quote a Hollywood film mogul, “ If you want to be a filmmaker, go make films!”
I wish you great success in your film journey!
Marshall Main
Director, Manager, Videographer
75
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Marshall’s Answer
Hannah-
One thing you can do is start making videos with your phone. The tools are so easy to get your hands on these days, just start putting things together. If you aren't comfortable with writing, do a spoof/parody or copy of something you enjoy - a music video or commercial. This will start to get your hands dirty at the storytelling processes and production workflows.
Film school can be a device topic. Some people are for them and some are against them.
I think high level there are a few things to consider:
1. Budget - do you have money to survive on while you find work and get established? (Rent in LA can run you up to 2000-3000+/m depending on how many roommates you have). Do you have housing provided form family or a relative in the area you are looking for work? Do you already have debts?
2. Experience - Do you have a reel or credits already?
3. Network - Do you know people that are working currently, that can mentor you and possibly help get work or bounce ideas off of? Do you have fellow filmmakers that you can work on projects with? Do you have family that live in a industry town?
4. Freelance or Corporate: Do you want steady paycheck or to be able to set your own terms? Are healthcare and vacations important to you?
I personally found film school to be an invaluable experience. I chose to go to one that is not focused on as much theory like UCLA - which is a great school, I went to Full Sail - which is more about the process over theory. For me it was perfect. It was accelerated program, and because new classes start every month, there was 10-15 student projects being done every month that I could PA/ work on set (some sets I did other jobs, even running camera and being key grip). So by the time I finished school I have hundreds of hours to make mistakes, observe mistakes made and it didn't cost me my job. (all within 2 years) I also made several life long friends that are still working in the industry to this day. I was able to try things out and bounce ideas off professors that helped me learn and I was also able to start a network of people who share my passions while I did it. I also worked my first paid professional gigs while in film school for Disney/ ESPN.
I would research the schools that are out there and do a visit to your top one or two and see if they are a fit for you - meet the staff and other students, look at their projects and sit in a class or two.
You can lean a lot of stuff online, but there is a lot of bad info out there too, so it really takes sifting through that with lots of grains of salt and the ability to discern when its useful or BS. You will need some discernment here, but you can also start with the trades (industry) magazines/ articles [look at the guilds or at your local tech section of the library/ grocery store)
It really depends on you, how you learn and where you fall on the above points. If you don't have a nest egg to live off of while you look for freelance work and establish yourself, you will struggle. School does cost money, and most corporate roles do want you to have a degree.
If you go the "Get out there" route, there will be risk there too. You should still take some classes on starting a business, and basic finance (balancing a budget, calculating taxes and return on investments etc.) This does not need to be a degree, but books and courses will be of value to you since Freelancing is running a business - you should be an LLC or SCorp and will need to be sure you understand tax laws and how that affects your income and you will need legal advice (you may need to sue clients that dont pay). Always get things in writing, read all the fine print in your contracts and be sure to watch out for people taking advantage. LA is unforgiving.
Finding what role on set you think you want to pursue will help as well. There are job sites out there like Mandy Production hub, staffmeup etc. You can try to land a PA role in your local area if possible. Freelancing is in itself a process, and something that will come with the industry, so learning how to run a business will be helpful. I have gone into more detail in some of my other answers here on CareerVillage.
One thing you can do is start making videos with your phone. The tools are so easy to get your hands on these days, just start putting things together. If you aren't comfortable with writing, do a spoof/parody or copy of something you enjoy - a music video or commercial. This will start to get your hands dirty at the storytelling processes and production workflows.
Film school can be a device topic. Some people are for them and some are against them.
I think high level there are a few things to consider:
1. Budget - do you have money to survive on while you find work and get established? (Rent in LA can run you up to 2000-3000+/m depending on how many roommates you have). Do you have housing provided form family or a relative in the area you are looking for work? Do you already have debts?
2. Experience - Do you have a reel or credits already?
3. Network - Do you know people that are working currently, that can mentor you and possibly help get work or bounce ideas off of? Do you have fellow filmmakers that you can work on projects with? Do you have family that live in a industry town?
4. Freelance or Corporate: Do you want steady paycheck or to be able to set your own terms? Are healthcare and vacations important to you?
I personally found film school to be an invaluable experience. I chose to go to one that is not focused on as much theory like UCLA - which is a great school, I went to Full Sail - which is more about the process over theory. For me it was perfect. It was accelerated program, and because new classes start every month, there was 10-15 student projects being done every month that I could PA/ work on set (some sets I did other jobs, even running camera and being key grip). So by the time I finished school I have hundreds of hours to make mistakes, observe mistakes made and it didn't cost me my job. (all within 2 years) I also made several life long friends that are still working in the industry to this day. I was able to try things out and bounce ideas off professors that helped me learn and I was also able to start a network of people who share my passions while I did it. I also worked my first paid professional gigs while in film school for Disney/ ESPN.
I would research the schools that are out there and do a visit to your top one or two and see if they are a fit for you - meet the staff and other students, look at their projects and sit in a class or two.
You can lean a lot of stuff online, but there is a lot of bad info out there too, so it really takes sifting through that with lots of grains of salt and the ability to discern when its useful or BS. You will need some discernment here, but you can also start with the trades (industry) magazines/ articles [look at the guilds or at your local tech section of the library/ grocery store)
It really depends on you, how you learn and where you fall on the above points. If you don't have a nest egg to live off of while you look for freelance work and establish yourself, you will struggle. School does cost money, and most corporate roles do want you to have a degree.
If you go the "Get out there" route, there will be risk there too. You should still take some classes on starting a business, and basic finance (balancing a budget, calculating taxes and return on investments etc.) This does not need to be a degree, but books and courses will be of value to you since Freelancing is running a business - you should be an LLC or SCorp and will need to be sure you understand tax laws and how that affects your income and you will need legal advice (you may need to sue clients that dont pay). Always get things in writing, read all the fine print in your contracts and be sure to watch out for people taking advantage. LA is unforgiving.
Finding what role on set you think you want to pursue will help as well. There are job sites out there like Mandy Production hub, staffmeup etc. You can try to land a PA role in your local area if possible. Freelancing is in itself a process, and something that will come with the industry, so learning how to run a business will be helpful. I have gone into more detail in some of my other answers here on CareerVillage.
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1179
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi, Hannah ! A career in film is one that takes lots of time, education and resources. The very first thing I would suggest is to choose one aspect and focus on it because you will need to learn the craft fully, acting or production, and it does take a lot of focus and time. Later on in your career, depending on how things are, you can do both. You will pick up tips on both by doing one, however.
While still in high school, think about making a video channel and produce your own videos. You also may go to your local college's film departments and ask about working on student films. This is a good way to have work to show to the colleges when you apply. Visit local theatres and meet people your age who have an interest in acting, writing and directing. You could probably form a small group and produce some work. You do need good equipment for high quality video and audio so you'll have to be financially prepared to invest in that.
Off hand, the best schools for acting that pop on a resume are Yale, Julliard and U.C.L.A. The American Film Institute in Hollywood is tops. Since you live in Lima, you may not want to relocate just yet. If that's the case, than Ohio State University at Lima would be a good choice. Wright State University in Dayton, Kent State in Kent and Ohio Northern University in Ada. Take a look at their websites and see which program you like the best. Film Connection Film School is in Lima. You may want to network there with students, visit the school and explore opporunities.
Best wishes to you in a wonderful career in film !
While still in high school, think about making a video channel and produce your own videos. You also may go to your local college's film departments and ask about working on student films. This is a good way to have work to show to the colleges when you apply. Visit local theatres and meet people your age who have an interest in acting, writing and directing. You could probably form a small group and produce some work. You do need good equipment for high quality video and audio so you'll have to be financially prepared to invest in that.
Off hand, the best schools for acting that pop on a resume are Yale, Julliard and U.C.L.A. The American Film Institute in Hollywood is tops. Since you live in Lima, you may not want to relocate just yet. If that's the case, than Ohio State University at Lima would be a good choice. Wright State University in Dayton, Kent State in Kent and Ohio Northern University in Ada. Take a look at their websites and see which program you like the best. Film Connection Film School is in Lima. You may want to network there with students, visit the school and explore opporunities.
Best wishes to you in a wonderful career in film !