Making the First Steps

I am writing this blog because I had a few emails from people asking advice on the best ways to get into the industry. So I thought I would type it into one document so everyone can use it. 

I studied film at UCLAN and I have been working in the industry for around 2 years now on both TV and film all over the country as an AD (heres my imdb page http://www.imdb.com/name/nm6009479/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1). 

So my advice is aimed mainly at people who want to work on the floor, but the advice is transferable into other areas. All the information is based on my own experience, so if you don’t agree with it, thats cool, but it works for me.

Personally, I think being a runner is a great way to start in the industry, regardless of what you would like to do in the long run. For example if you want to become a dop, don’t turn down running jobs because its not in the camera department, the beauty of being a runner is that you have to liaise with all departments. Being a runner instantly puts you around possible employers. If you want to be in the camera department, get friendly with them and tell them what you would really like to do. Same goes for any other department. The key is getting yourself around the people who do the job you want to do.

(Working on Elementary at Trafalgar Square)

So how do you get that first opportunity. Well the truth is, its all about who you know, but if you don’t know anyone there are ways around that too. 

Doing things for free, when you have no experience and don't know anyone is a great way to start. If you hear about a production you would love to work on, ring the production company. Mention you are keen to make your first steps into the industry, you have study film, and you would love some experience on the floor etc. Large production usually have a assigned quoter for work experience people so its always worth ringing. 

But be careful you are not exploited. Working for free one or two times for a week max is good, but there comes a time when you must put worth what you do, and make sure you get paid properly.

Another great way to get started is trainee schemes. There are a few good ones out there, also some that aren’t so good. You want to go for ones that are accredited by a Networks like BBC etc. I started out on a BBC Wales scheme called “Its My Shout.” You have to be welsh to join unfortunately. (I’m not welsh, but when you really want to work in the industry, sometimes you have to not let a little thing like not being welsh hold you back.) Its a good scheme because you work along side industry professionals, its a good opportunity to show people how keen you are. Make sure you keep in touch with these industry professionals also, because like I said, its all about who you know.

So now you have built your CV up with free work and trainee schemes, when contacting possible employees its important not to email with a cv straight away. Its important that throughout your career you don’t just send a CV via email and expect them to read it. ALWAYS attempt to ring first and ask them if its ok to send a cv, that way they are twice as likely to read it. Also it puts you into a impromptu interview straight away.

Another sneaky trick, is to get yourself a face to face interview instantly. Firstly find out where there production office is, lets say for example pinewood studios. Give them a quick call, explaining what you do and that you would love the opportunity to work on their production. Also mention that you are happen to be in Pinewood in the week for a meeting with another production company (what a lovely coincident) and ask if its ok if you pop in and say hi. By popping in and saying ‘hi’, straight away it puts you in an interview situation. Try it, it works! (Make sure you know what other productions are taking place there incase they ask, blagg it in other words) 

Ill finish by saying, a few more important points to remember when trying to break into this competitive industry. 

• Applying for stuff online, particularly jobs on the floor usually amounts to nothing. On professional shoots the hod’s have such good networks of contacts that they will always ask around for crew, not advertise the job online. It important that people get to know you, so they put you forward when asked. So ring, and arrange to meet people rather than email.

• On the your last day of a production, print off 50 cv's and give them out to the crew, most will bin, but maybe a few will past it on. Regardless they will remember you for doing it.

• When you are established, make sure your contacts remember you, keep in contact with them, even if you have work at the time, you never know when you wont. 

• Also when established, put worth in what you do, when you start out, yes you do have to work for free and shit money, but when you are established, set a daily fee and stick to it.

Finally, if you want to work in the industry enough, I promise you, you will make it! You have to not take no for an answer, I can’t afford to live in london, but I wanted to work on the big films there. So I bought a small van for £500 and slept in the back of it, I lived on warner brothers studios car park for 3 months. Everything worth doing is hard to start of with, but in the long run it pays off. There is nothing better than when your work doesn’t feel like work.