Tag Archives: career in film

Get a Job in Hollywood

film careers,
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How to Get a Job in Hollywood

Get your foot inside the magical Hollywood door.

You want a career in the movie business, but you need the experience of having your first break in the film industry before you can get a job. You can choose internships or volunteering. In other words, you must demonstrate the ability to do whatever is needed and do it well with no or low pay. Once you are in and do a professional job, the opportunity to work is always available. Most important to the process, however, is that you are willing, in the beginning, to work for low pay or even for free. The idea is to accumulate a list of credits- a portfolio, a reputation.

Production Assistant

Here is an example of what not to do – this happened:

Production Manager: “The job is a six-day shoot. We need a couple of PAs to do everything.”

Applicant: “Okay.”

PM: “Saturday is an early call – 3 AM.”

Applicant: “Wow! That is early.”

PM: “Do you know how to build IKEA furniture?”

Applicant: “I don’t build IKEA furniture. I tried that, and I am not good at it.”

PM: “Well, send me your resume…”

The applicant didn’t get the job because of his response to the earlier call, “I don’t build IKEA…”

Here is an example of what to do:

Production Manager: “The job is a six-day shoot. We need a couple of PAs to do everything.”

Applicant: “I am willing to do whatever you need.”

PM: “Saturday is an early call – 3 AM.”

Applicant: “No problem. I will be there.”

PM: “Do you know how to build IKEA furniture?”

Applicant: “Sure. I’ve done that before.”

PM: “Good! What is the best way to reach you…”

The applicant got the job because he responded positively and was willing to do whatever was needed. Even if he failed at IKEA furniture before, it doesn’t mean he will come again. The point is, he will try. He is willing. Production managers need an upbeat crew without creating problems on the set with “I can’t do that.”

Work on Local Film and Television Jobs

Hollywood hires based on reputation and perseverance. You know who you know is another way to get your foot in the door.

It would help if you built a portfolio of decent and reputable work. Build a resume by being willing to take on whatever task the production offers at whatever pay the company provides, even if that’s nil.

Like a production assistant, an entry-level job pays an average flat rate of $125-$250 a day, including meals. As a production assistant, the best pay rate I experienced was $250 for 12 hours, including overtime.

Nevertheless, please don’t get too excited because you may still find it hard to attract any work by offering your services for free. The unpaid crew requires insurance, guidance, and food. It even costs the production time and money to hire you.

Your best opportunity to build your portfolio is to work on smaller independent shoots where the production, most likely, can’t afford to pay you or feed you well. On the upside, track these shoots down and volunteer! Once your resume shows the depth of your experience, you can aim for bigger crews on larger shoots and better pay.

It is most beneficial to start making contacts in your local area. You can contact your local film commission and see if they have a hotline number or a website promoting jobs. Most big-city film commissions do. Check with your film commission weekly to see if a production company is coming to town. Take the time to visit the film commission office, make yourself known, hang around a bit, and help the office. The production companies sometimes leave a contact number with the film commission.

Some cities or regions create a film production directory for companies to use when they come to the area. Some guides charge for listing your services, while others offer it for free.

You can Google “film production directories [enter state] and examine what comes up. The California Film Commission office maintains a website for California, and the link is at the end of this article.

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Places to Find Jobs in Hollywood

The film industry is a creative business, so be creative and come up with unique ways to find work. As you call these contacts, make sure you find out about other productions coming up and their contact numbers – in other words, network. Tell them you’ll call back if they are too busy to talk. Be courteous.

Here are some general numbers and websites to contact for information on film work in the area. My book, Breaking Into Film, comprehensively lists film work resources.

  • California Film Commission — 800-858-4749
  • San Francisco Film Commission Hotline — (415) 554-6244
  • New York Film Commission — 212-803-2330
  • New York City Film Commission — 212-489-6710
  • Texas Film Commission — 512-463-9200
  • Chicago Film Office — 312-744-6415
  • Illinois Film Office – 312-814-3600
  • New Mexico Film Office – 800-545-9871
  • The City of Seattle Film Office – 206-684-0903

Update Your Resume

Like any career, building your credits in a competitive industry means you are a professional. Act like a professional. People see you as a professional. Film careers last a long time because those individuals are professionals. Never do half of what your true potential is capable of doing. Learn, be alert, work hard, and be friendly and helpful. Hollywood needs people like you.

How to Get Work in the Film Industry

film careers,

Why Work In Film?

Why try to build a career in film as a professional?

A good reason to have a career in the industry is that it continues to grow. The resources for showing a movie seem endless. We have movie theaters, the Internet, streaming, and Blu-ray/DVD—significant companies distribute films. Many film jobs are available in California and other parts of the country, both in front of and behind the camera.

Periodically, the American Film Marketing Association (AFMA) conducts a study of filmmakers’ economic impact. Its findings are rewarding for those eager to work in the film or entertainment industry, particularly those interested in roles that do not involve the financial and emotional risks associated with fields such as acting and film crew work.

Hey, there is nothing wrong with being an actor or a member of a film crew. AFMA’s study reports that the industry is mature and growing. An industry that needs dedicated professionals in various trades is an opportunity for you.

Internet and Streaming

Filmmakers- independent and major studios- account for over 408,000 jobs nationwide. The report primarily includes those who work as consultants or freelancers. The bulk of the workforce is pretty much contract workers. The film industry’s “total U.S. economic effect” is over $12.5 billion.

Total production costs of network prime-time television, first-run syndication programs, and streaming platform offerings are enormous. Who gets all that money? You guessed it — film and television professionals who worked hard to make it in the business. That’s you.

The AFMA study concludes that there is a growing demand for films and entertainment. With the added benefit of many new formats like streaming and opportunities provided by emerging telecommunications and computer technologies, the industry is growing by leaps and bounds. It is most likely to continue to do so.

Nothing feels better than working in film because it's such a creative industry.
Nothing feels better than working in film because it’s such a creative industry.

Seventy-five percent of the people polled: Do you think you could make a successful career in film? Said, “Yes.”

Entertainment Industry

If you read the trades, you learn about the industry and how its growth is increasing and will continue to grow, verifying AFMA’s reports. Among the most validating reports on expansion in the film industry is CBS.com reporting that most Americans are streaming movies. Most of that streaming happens on Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and Disney. As the list grows, so will the number of job opportunities.

Of course, figures like this rise and fall, and the business of film can have its shifts, even some of the large and most successful companies with hardly any warning.

Because the entertainment industry is creative, you have to be innovative to work in the industry. Reading the trades and studying books about the business will help you get your foot in the door. Once you are in the door, you need to maintain your foothold by acting professionally and learning more about the industry.

Breaking into Film is a book you should read to learn about the business. It is an easy read but dated. The bulk of the career book offers advice, tips, and fundamentals for getting your foot in the door and building a long career in the entertainment field.

The book offers samples of resumes and letters, which are vital to this industry. The book also discusses the dress code. How are you supposed to dress for an interview versus for a set? It dedicates a whole chapter to the importance of networking and establishing relationships.

Film producing lasts forever because it's an endless industry that keeps evolving.
Film production lasts forever because it’s an ever-evolving industry. 

Industry Publications

Reading the trades is a vital part of being in the business and will help build your career. Some other publications to read are Film & Video, Filmmaker, Film Comment, Cinefex, and Cinefantastique. Each publication focuses on an aspect of the industry. Cinefex covers special effects, while Cinefantastique covers fantasy, science fiction, horror movies, and television.

Entertainment insiders tend to read publications that fans read to see how their competition is doing. They primarily read the “Calendar” sections of newspapers, the Los Angeles Times business section, and the Sunday edition of The New York Times.

Guilds, associations, and other unions distribute newsletters to their members. These newsletters are also available for non-members at a price. They specialize in current and upcoming events that interest you for networking purposes.

For the most part, these publications are available online.

United Talent Agency List

The best source for film job openings is the United Talent Agency List. This printout, published once a month or so, lists jobs that are important enough to pursue in the industry.

For over 30 years, the list has been where all the significant players place the job openings. The big hurdle is that the list is practically impossible to obtain unless you are one of the agency’s clients or connected to an industry insider.

Anonymous Production Assistant is a website that publishes the agency’s list. Reports say people get film jobs from the webmaster’s postings. If I were you, I’d give it a try and see what happens.

First Job in Film

Breaking into the entertainment industry is not easy, but it gets easier once you have your first job. It’s vital that you persevere and don’t give up. Each job leads to the next job offer, which takes time and effort.