How Do You Know If You Can Make the Cut?

The fact is, this industry is actually way smaller than you think it is. This fact works completely to your benefit. It really is all about who you know and who knows you. It’s about connections. After that, it’s about how hard you work, if you’re a nice person who can be trusted and someone who can do the job. Sounds simplistic? Sure but it’s true.

If you’re really into horror films and you really want to make horror films, the scene is so small that within just a few jobs you’ll know who the pros are who are making those films in your area.  Your job is to have the understanding and work ethic it takes to work work on the set. Set your sights on getting those skills down and then get on set any way you can. Take the unpaid PA job if it gets you on set. Sure you’ll work hard, super hard but you’ll be kickstarting your career much faster than you would be if you were sitting in some fancy auditorium listening to someone talk abstractly about filmmaking. That stuff just doesn’t work.

If you think you have the drive, skills, and talent it takes to make it, stick it out and work on as many projects as possible. Know that you’re going to get bashed around a little bit. You’re going to take a few licks, but it’s ok. As long as you stick it out, you’ll be ok. You’ll make it through. You’ll have a career.  You know why? Because as long as you’re driven, work hard, and aren’t a jerk, someone is going to need you on set.

Got commonsense? Good. Do you usually wear close-toed shoes, especially to a film set? Good. Are you more focused with doing a good job than being Mr. or Ms. Cool? Good. Do you refrain from name-dropping every second? Well, then you’re probably going to be ok.

The truth of the matter is, you need to have a certain amount of skills, awareness, and drive to start working in film. From there, you learn more and more as you go. Even if you were to enroll in some super-expensive film school, any learning you do will be on set or in post. After that, learning comes by doing the work on professional sets. One absorbs more information and gets more sophisticated with time.

So if you really want to work in film, learn the basics and then work hard and be pleasant to be around. Then be someone who answers their phone, returns texts and emails and who says yes to project, even those spec ones that pay nothing to start. Let the pros out there know you’re always down to work and they’ll be calling.

Working hard, being likable, and always being ready for anything will get you further than any diploma ever will. Being able to really dig in and throw yourself into the fray is worth ten times whatever you would pay for a diploma from NYU because it will get you further faster. Being on one set with a real “can do” attitude will earn you connections and cement your relationships with everyone on set.

The film business is about who you know and what they think of you. If you’re willing to go the extra mile to ensure that they know that you’re a real go-getter you’ll have no problem making the cut.

Learn more about training from within the filmmaking industry in your own hometown at www.filmconnection.com.