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Step 1
Move to Los Angeles. To maximize your chances of getting a job in the film industry, move to where the movies are made. Some cities outside of L.A. are popular filming locations, like Vancouver and Albuquerque. Moving to these towns can help your chances of getting a film job, but not as much as moving directly to L.A.
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Step 2
Decide what area of film you want to work in and go for that one department. Hollywood is great at pigeon-holing people. So if you want to work in development, don't look for a job in sound. If you do, the next thing you know, you'll be a re-recording mixer and no one will see you as anything different. There goes your dream of developing scripts! When you ask for advice on how to break into Hollywood, be specific and tell people what position you ultimately want.
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Step 3
Meet people that work on movies. Go to events, parties, screenings, film festivals, and receptions. Talk to people and ask them advice on how to get a job on a film. Be enthusiastic and upbeat, but don't overdo it! Getting work in the film business is all about networking. The more people you meet and impress, the more opportunities for work you will have.
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Step 4
Use every single contact you have that might be able to get you a film job. Most people get jobs on films through a relative, a friend, or a friend of a friend.
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Step 5
If you want to do production work (that is, on-set jobs) and you have no experience, look through the crew notices in the Hollywood Reporter production breakdowns, in Backstage, and on Craigslist. There are student and independent films in particular that will hire set production assistants ('Set P.A.'s') and other no-experience-necessary workers. Do as many of these film shoots as possible and tell the head of the department in which you ultimately want to work that you would love to learn from him/her. And remember, be enthusiastic, but don't overdo it! Personality goes a long way in L.A., and if your personality annoys anyone, it can hurt your career.
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Step 6
If you want to work in an office setting for film, look at job listings in the Hollywood Reporter and Variety classifieds, on Craigslist, and on the major studios' websites. Send your resume in to every listing you find that you qualify for. Also, sign up with temp agencies that the studios use. Temping is a common route to getting a full-time job at a studio.
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Step 7
If you want to work in post-production, but don't know anyone in the film industry, find the production breakdowns in the Hollywood Reporter. Fax your resume to the production offices with a cover letter stating your interest in editing. Every film editorial needs a post-production P.A., also known as a 'runner' because they run to and from post facilities. This position requires no experience, but it does require a car and car insurance.
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Step 8
If you are in college, get internships at the major studios or independent production companies through your school's Career Center. Be diligent and get to know the people you work with. Let them know through your hard work and enthusiasm how much you enjoy working for the company. This is another extremely common route to a full-time job.
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Step 9
Once you land a job in the film department you are interested in, make absolutely sure to work hard and let everyone in the department know that you want to be there. Hard workers get hired movie after movie; slackers don't get hired again. Don't get blacklisted by slacking on the job. Your reputation means everything, and Hollywood is much smaller than most people think.
Comments
starlet67 said
on 5/29/2009 Helpful info!5*
bethandlee said
on 4/19/2009 It's a lot of work but it can pay off. Quite a bit of hitting the pavement. Thanks for the tips on how to get a job in the film industry. 5*
chrissyjohnson said
on 4/16/2009 Great tips on How to Get a Job in the Film Industry! 5* rec
sonni57 said
on 4/6/2009 Good tips on how top get a job in the film industry.