Tips for Getting Started in Film Production and Writing

1. Leave your ego at home.

You’re probably going to have to do a few jobs you hate before you get to do anything that you like. The reality is that Production Assistants and interns do things that have nothing to do with actual filmmaking most of the time. Also, in writing, you’re probably going to get a lot of rejection letters before anything you write gets published. Just keep going.

2. Seriously, leave you ego at home.

            No one cares that you think you’re the next Spielberg or Hemmingway. Can you make coffee? Can you stand in front of a door and tell people they aren’t allowed to walk through it? Can you assist writers or agencies without mentioning the story you’ve been working on? You have to make people like you and show them that you’re an asset first and foremost. Once that rapport is established, then you can start working your way up.

3. Be proactive.

You have to put yourself out there. No one else will do it for you. Whether it’s cold calling agents, contacting production companies or publishing agencies, or relentlessly blogging and submitting your work- do it.

4. Be persistent.

            Keep trying. Don’t let rejection stop you. Rejection is a reality in creative fields, but it shouldn’t be a deterrent.

5. Get an agent.

            If you’re really serious about being published, an agent can help tremendously in facilitating your relationship with editors and publishers.

6. Be Patient.

            Finding a job and/or getting published don’t usually happen overnight. If you’re serious about working in film production or being a writer, you have to be patient because moving up the ladder, having work accepted and going through the process of publishing all take time.

7. Be open-minded.

            This sort of ties in to the ego issue, but don’t think that any job/project/article/opportunity is beneath you. Take everything for what it is- a learning experience. You never know who you might meet, and who or what they know. Be open to the possibilities.  

8. Be online.

            This works to your advantage in a lot of ways. There are a ton of blogs and articles out there with extremely helpful information and advice for young, aspiring filmmakers/ writers. Use them to your advantage. While you’re at it, build a strong online presence for yourself. People do notice that kind of thing, and networking is networking whether it’s on or offline. 

Phil Breman, 10 Tips to Getting a Job in Hollywood. About.com. 31 March 2012.

http://filmtvcareers.about.com/od/gettingthejob/a/10_Job_Tips.htm

Normally, I wouldn’t even consider using about.com as a source for anything, however I looked a this article just to see what it said and it essentially laid out in a nice, list format EXACTLY what my interviewees said. It’s an unglamorous set of tips, or rules to survive by, if you’re going to try and find jobs in the film industry.

Daisy Whitney. 7 Best Practices for Building an Online Presence. Chuck Sambuchino’s Guide to Literary Agents. writersdigest.com. 31 March 2012.

http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/7-best-practices-for-building-an-online-presence

One recurring theme that keeps coming up in both writing and film production is networking. Whether it’s finding an agent or looking for a job, one of the easiest ways to put yourself out there is by creating a strong online presence. This article gives a few great tips for doing that. 

Professor Jahn-Clough

Professor Jahn-Clough was a guest speaker who spoke more about books and getting published than my interviewees, as they are more active in film production and screenwriting. I may reference some of the information she shared dealing with publishers and agents.

Chuck Sambuchino and Writer’s Digest Editors. How to Submit Short Stories and Formatting Basics. Chuck Sambuchino’s Guide to Literary Agents. writersdigest.com. 31 March 2012.

http://www.writersdigest.com/tip-of-the-day/how-to-submit-short-stories-formatting-basics

I’ve been looking into submitting some short stories lately and found this guide really helpful. Honestly, I’d never even really considered that there is a proper way to submit, even online, so I’m really glad I found this one.

Amanda. How to Get a Writer’s Assistant Job. Aspiring TV Writer and Screenwriter Blog. 31 March, 2012.

http://aspiringtvwriter.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-to-find-writers-assistant-job.html

            This one essentially gave a slightly different perspective about things I already discussed with one of my interviewees. Overall the post was informative, though, and her blog in general is a good resource. This post is from a while ago, but the rest of her blog is pretty current. It’s essentially an advice column. She deals with screenwriting so there is a lot of information about writing and PA work. 

            The goal of my project is to learn as much as I can about graduate school, publishing writing and finding entry-level work in the fields of writing and film production. As I do not know specifically what I want to do yet, I plan to interview former professors and people active in either/ both fields about their beginnings in the fields, their current jobs and what they think is most important for young, aspiring writers/ filmmakers to keep in mind during the transition from undergrad to the real world. In addition, I seek to discuss the objective importance of having a degree in both fields, if there is one, the value of previous field experience, and how having/not having a degree, internship experience, etc. effects candidates in the eyes of potential employers.  Since my interests are varied, I’m also seeking information from writers, agents and online sources about “how to” get your foot in the door, get published, network, build an online presence, etc.