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. 

So far I've made some updates to my resume and started my CV. I'm still working on making both completely up to date and picking writing samples to include. I have two or three pieces in mind, however I need to edit them more before including them. I also need to work on a cover letter and a sample query letter. I don't think I'm going to attempt a personal statement (yet). I completed one interview with one of my former professors. He is an instructor here at Rowan and has an MFA in Screenwriting from Colombia University. In addition to teaching and writing, he works for two film production companies, one of which he cofounded. I'm still waiting to hear back from my other potential interviewee. She is a freelancer who's worked on numerous well-known television series and films as an assistant director and/or production manager. I'll know more about how I'm going to structure my final paper once I hear back from her. In the meantime, I'll be researching some sources to supplement my interview and drafting my abstract. Generally, I'm trying to learn as much as possibile about the opportunities available that are related to both film production and writing (screenwriting and otherwise). The more I talk to people in these fields, though, the more I'm learning that there is no straight and narrow path to success. Most people wander, take a while to figure out what they want to do and work a lot of mediocre jobs that let them know what they don't want to do. The only way up as far as film and writing go seems to be sideways backwards around and through, as long as you're making connections and learning. 

I have considered grad school, but I don't know exactly what I want to do. I think if I was going to go, I would go for an M.A. in either Film History, Creative Writing or Screenwriting first, before committing to pursuing any degree higher than that. I don't have any specific programs or schools in mind. I haven't looked into grad school much- it's really only been a recurring and passing thought since I don't know exactly what I want to do. Ideally, out of college, I would like to work for a production company in or near New York City. I could see myself working in development or sales. I think I'd be good at both. I'm having trouble picking out specific things to focus on, though. Some of my interests seems completely unrelated to my area of study and I've focused more on working than being active in clubs and organizations on campus. I don't have much experience in my field outside of coursework, my current internship and personal endeavors.  

Careers in Writing Arts Self Evaluation

1.    List your personal strengths and weaknesses (responsible, procrastinator, creative, etc.).

a.    Creative, persuasive, procrastinator, late

2.   List important or related courses you have taken.

a.    Writer’s mind, Film Scenario Writing, Creative writing 1 & 2, fiction writing, principles of literary study,  writing children’s stories, film production 1

3.   What is your major and specialization? What is your overall cumulative GPA? In your major? How many credits have you taken in your major?

a.    RTF/Creative Writing 3.45/ ? 33 RTF/30 writing

4.   Do you have a minor or coordinate major? Explain.

a.    Creative Writing (concentration)

5.   List hobbies, activities, interests, especially those related to your major.

a.    Writing

b.    Photography

c.    The food industry

d.    Vegan cuisine

e.    Yoga

6.   List all the offices you have held in clubs or writing associations.

a.    Rowan Television Network (member)

b.    Cinema Workshop (member)

7.   Do you hold any special licenses?

a.    none

8.   List special skills. Have you served in the military? Have you ever published? What computer programs are you skilled in?

a.    5 years sales experience

b.    managerial experience

c.    Photoshop

d.    Adobe Audition

e.    Final Cut Pro

f.     Adobe Premiere

9.   List the types of writing you do the most.

a.    Short stories, prose, essays

10.                  List awards, honors, academic or otherwise.

a.    none

11.List special programs in which you have participated.

a.    none

12.                  List charity work.

a.    Volunteer for Downbeach Film Festival

b.    High school

13.                  List any scholarships you have received.

a.    Rowan University Tuition Assistance

b.    High school

14.                  List key projects and roles you have played in them.

a.    Dog- (short film), art director

b.    Addiction (working title)- short audio mockumentary, writer, producer, director, editor

15.                   List all jobs you have had (dates, length if employment, promotions, responsibilities, title, etc. Note: it’s okay to say “Summer 2010” and not list specific dates.

a.    Sunglass Menagerie- sales, assistant manager (Summer 2007-present)

                                              i.     Retail, oversight, ordering, sales, maintaining register

b.    Natural Foods (January 2012-present)

                                              i.     Cashier, consultant, retail

16.                   Describe the kinds of employment you seek (rank order of your top three job goals)

a.    Development for Film/TV production company

b.    Writing for magazine/blog in field of interest

c.    Teaching

17.                   List three people who can recommend you and how you have been associated with them.

a.    Bruce Lehrer- Employer Sunglass Menagerie 5 yrs

b.    Jonathon Mason- course instructor, internship

c.    Drew Kopp- course instructor

Since I decided that I want to be a writer, I've been so overwhelmed by the scope of what that actually means that I find myself frozen in the idea itself and not able to actually start doing it. I know the things I'm interested in and the kinds of pieces I would potentially like to write- ideas flow as I'm walking from class to class, in between tasks at work, while I'm cramming for an exam in a subject I don't care about- it's like I'm too busy learning how to be a writer or paying for how to learn how to be a writer that I'm not actually writing. Like now, for instance, I'm writing this post in my public speaking class because it's the first chance I've gotten since Tuesday. I think trying to focus on select topics would help ease my racing mind and channel my thought flow into something more productive than the vague abstractions about vegetarianism, feminism, pop-culture  and why they all matter that settle hopelessly in the limbo of the Notes app on the iphone that I take for granted (another topic for musing), slowly easing into a a complacent, stagnant existence. I'm ranting now, but I'm ranting because the assigned articles got me thinking- I may not know exactly how I see myself in a few years as a writer (in a few years, or as a writer), but I know the habits that I'll have to change to get anywhere, and I think I'm ready to get started, starting by focusing my attention and efforts on topics I care about (finally) and forcing the laissez- faire writing habits I've employed thus far in my dances with language and to evolve with me.      

I'm a senior at Rowan University majoring in TV and Film Production with a concentration in Creative Writing. I'm interested in writing for the screen, blogging about television, films and other things I think merit discussion, short stories and poetry (sometimes). I'd like to gain some field experience on the development end of film production before deciding if I'd like to pursue my education further. So far, this introduction makes it seem like I have a better idea of what I want to do post-grad than I actually do.  I'm also interested in photography, the food industry and vegan cooking.