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.
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.
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