You won’t find a film job in the classifieds or at the job center. You get film jobs by networking, getting your name out, meeting people and making connections. It doesn’t happen overnight. But on every job you do, however small, you will meet people in the industry who might be in a position in the future to help you find work.
Print Your Own Business Cards
Easy to do using card stock & the label making wizard in MS Office
Incorporate artwork and logos – make yours stand out
Make new ones often – always have up-to-date email & cell phone
Carry them with you everywhere. You never know when you might need one
Always ask co-workers for their business card – get them in your database of contacts
You are Your Own Small Business
Act like a business person on the job – you are most likely to get work from co-worker referrals
Be easy to reach – the first one to respond usually gets the job
Make your voicemail message professional and informative
Auto forward calls from your home to your cell phone
Check your emails daily
Get Listed
Every state has a film office, usually part of the tourism office. Some states have regional offices. Their job is to promote the state to production companies. A qualified, skilled work force is one of the things they promote - thats you!
The North Carolina Film Office and Piedmont Triad Film Office have production guides in print and on the web with local crew listings.
Copies of the production guides are given to every production company that scouts in NC.
Do not list more than one position or department - it makes you look unfocused and unprofessional
Separate student and professional credits
List credits with most recent ones first
List non-film related experience in another section. It's good to show you have a history of employment, even if it's not in film
Send resumes to producers, production companies and vendors (listed in the state production guides)
Research the name of the owner of the company first by calling. Address your letter directly to them.
Follow up with a phone call a week later
Cover Letters
Always send a cover letter with your resume
Be brief. Tell the potential employer:
You are responding to his/her ad in the paper/listing on ncfilm
You are interested in a position as (insert position) on the film (insert name)
You are attaching a resume
You look forward to hearing from them
Interviews
Dress appropriately - even if you are applying for a carpenter or grip position, dress neatly. No band T-shirts, shorts or flip-flops.
Bring an extra copy of your resume and business card
Be early
Smile, be friendly
Don't complain about previous job
Information Interviews
If you have sent a resume to a production company, don’t ask for a job (unless you know they are hiring) - ask for an Information Interview
An Information Interview is a short meeting where you interview a successful filmmaker/producer/vendor about how they made it in the industry (everyone likes to talk about themselves)
Check them out on IMDB before the interview – flatter them with your knowledge of their work
Ask them how they got started in the industry
Ask what they look for in an employee
Ask what skills you might need to enter their line of work
Ask for names and introductions to people they think might help you
Call, write or email afterwards to thank them for their time
Write or email periodically with updates on your work and contact info
Networking
Networking is the name of the game in this business
Join local film organizations and websites – see links
Attend local movie screenings and festivals– meet other local filmmakers
Attend seminars and classes on new technology in the industry
Create a web page so potential employers can see your work & resume
Work on local film festivals such as the Carolina Film Festival, Hi Mom, River Run, Cucalorus, Asheville
Send a postcard or email to everyone you have ever worked with every six months saying what you have been doing and updating your contact info. Keep yourself fresh in their minds.
Unfortunately, it isn’t enough just to know how to do your job. You also need to know how to sell yourself. If people like you and like working with you they will pass your name on or request you on the next job. Every person you meet on a job or at an industry event is a potential job contact. Consistent use of the strategies listed above won’t guarantee you a job, but they will help.
Good Luck!
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