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Killer
Techniques
To Get A Job
In The Film Industry!
by: Ronald K. Armstrong
Getting a job in the film
industry can be very
challenging. It is not like
other industries, which are
based upon how well your
resume is written or how
well you interview. Industry
jobs are very lucrative and
highly sought after. This is
in part because they can be
very rewarding experiences
presenting the opportunity
for travel, glamour and
fame. Although not
advertised, most of these
positions are secured
through social networks,
referrals and word of mouth.
So being a social butterfly
can be to your advantage.
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Most people in the industry are
looking to employ dependable,
honest and hard working folks.
It is not an industry that is
conducive to working with
newcomers. When money is at
stake and people’s reputation on
the line, no one wants to try
the new gal or guy. In addition,
it can be an industry where the
turnover rate is very high.
Start out first with preparing a
good resume one which focuses on
your particular expertise. List
previous productions you’ve
worked on before. If you are
just starting out try working on
some student projects or intern
positions to build your resume.
You can get some great resume
and interview tips at:
www.careerstrategies.blogspot.com
Next, here are some killer
techniques that will help you
get your first gig and beyond.
Develop a social network.
These are usually friends and
family members working in the
industry or know of someone who
is working. Keep in contact with
them through email and phone
calls. If there is a new project
or open position they are likely
to spread the word. A great way
to make these contacts are at
industry functions. Go to these
events and collect as many email
addresses as possible. The next
day start emailing the people
that you’ve met but DO NOT
openly ask if they know of any
gigs. Your goal is to develop a
rapport so that they trust you.
With that trust firmly
established they will open up to
you regarding important news and
events. In recent years the
Internet has really exploded
with job opportunities. Do a
Goggle search for film
organizations and chat rooms.
Sign up for as many as possible
and make it a point to stay in
touch with them on an ongoing
basis.
Another technique is to get a list of films about to go into
production. The Ross Report and
the Hollywood Reporter both
carry complete lists. Create
interesting looking post cards
that highlight your expertise in
the field. Send the postcards
out to the production manager
and also to the production
company on a monthly basis. The
idea here is to keep your name
in the spot light. As I said
earlier, the Internet is a
really great place to find work.
One of the best sites to visit
is the Mayor’s Office in your
city. When films come to your
area they have to file for a
permit. The Mayor’s Office then
keeps records which they post on
their site of available film
jobs. Keep in mind not to put
too much weight on the job
itself rather look at it as a
networking opportunity. You may
need to take a job that pays
nothing in order to make the
necessary contacts. If you play
your cards right one job can
lead to another and so forth.
Just make friends with as many
people as possible but don’t be
intrusive. There are also job
boards that specialize in film
work. One great thing about them
is that they allow you to set up
a “job agent”. These virtual
agents work by emailing you
alerts whenever a new position
is posted. You can sign up for
one at
www.rkacinemasociety.com
or
www.freecastingcalls.blogspot.com.
Organizations can be
an instrumental tool in your job
search efforts. Not only will
they invite you to important
industry networking events but
they can be the key to getting
into an internship, mentorship
and training program. I would
also advise signing up with temp
agencies as well. Now there are
literally hundreds of agencies
out there that specialize in
everything from accounting to
graphic arts positions. Find an
agency that places for
entertainment jobs and register
with them. The trick here is to
call the agency everyday asking
if they have work for you. Don’t
wait for them to call you rather
make yourself available to them.
My last bit of advice would be
to take the proactive approach.
Create a great website and start
emailing your URL out. This is
part of your marketing campaign.
Write interesting blurbs about
yourself and the productions
you’ve worked on. This will
create a buzz about you and your
service.
Now here’s the killer technique that is sure to help you land job
after job. On your website
create a job board and offer to
post open job positions for
free. When people start sending
you breakdowns you’ll be in for
sure. If you do this right you
will be the first to get
information on new jobs in your
area. But to really make this
last technique work be sure to
share the information with your
network. If you scratch their
back they’ll be sure to scratch
yours by passing along any good
gigs to you. Follow these tips
and you’ll be getting the steady
work you’ve always wanted!
About The
Author
Ronald K.
Armstrong is a noted author,
filmmaker and recruiter. He is
President of the RKA cinema
Society which is an organization
dedicated to helping aspiring
actors and filmmakers. Mr.
Armstrong is also the founder of
the revolutionary Kamitic Acting
System.
http://www.rkacinemasociety.com
ww.TalentInternet.com
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