Should I become a filmmaker?

Are you a movie buff and talk in movie quotes? When you see a movie or show that you really enjoy, do you think, “now that’s what I want to do?”

Great, you love filmmaking! *crickets*

Oh, I’m sorry, you want to know if you have what it takes to work in film and not just be a die-hard fan. OK, then answer this question, honestly...

Do you have to, it’s an absolute must, you did not live unless you pursued your dream of working in the film industry?

I’m serious take your time.

If the answer is still YES, then filmmaking is for you. If not, then please continue to enjoy watching your favorite movies and shows. Nothing wrong with that. I certainly get a high off seeing a well-made movie that has had an impact on my life. Heck, maybe you film something every now and then. But if you have this burning, aching desire that your life will not feel fulfilled unless you see yourself on a film set, then let’s continue.
Film is a tough industry with a few ways in and no straight path. It is a hard business to get your foot in the door. To learn more about how to land your first gig in film, check out my video “How to Find Jobs in Film and TV.” The good news is, once you’re in, you’re in. Just be careful what you wish for. The hours are long and the culture can be brutal. Only those that really want it, have the passion, and are willing to tough out by “paying your dues” will survive. The industry will test your resiliency and give you plenty of reasons to quit. 

I’ve worked for over a decade in the film industry, working on large studio-produced projects with studios like Netflix, Paramount Pictures, and Universal Pictures to name a few. When I was first getting my start in Film & TV I made the decision to move to Atlanta with a bit of savings and some PA experience. I had no connections, no friends, a boyfriend back in South Carolina, and wasn’t sure if my gamble was going to pay off. I was feeling lonely and helpless. I could feel my parents getting my room ready back at their place.

Backstory

I came to Atlanta in 2010 when the film industry had a presence, but had far fewer opportunities than it does today. Any openings usually went to the established veterans. I reached out to many local crew, most did not even respond, and I was running out of options to make this move and career pursuit work. I distinctly remember having a dinner of oatmeal and cheap wine and feeling like this industry just didn’t want me.  

Sometimes life has to let you hit rock bottom before it rewards your efforts. That’s what happened to me. I got my big break in the unemployment office. To hear my full story, check out my video, “How I got my start in Film & TV.”   

Film is an unconventional industry. I’ve seen folks happen to be in the right place, at the right time, and get on a set the next day. Most times these are people who didn’t even care to work in film and happened to have a connection while looking for a job. These individuals may stay in the industry if it’s the right fit or get out quickly.

For those who really want it and have no connections, it can take months or years to create a sustainable career. You have to be consistently reaching out to people that can hire you. And the people who can hire you are BUSY. The higher up the chain of command someone is, the more impressive you need to be. So be aware of who you’re about to send your resume out to and why. Timing is also a huge key element. A crew may be booked and all crewed up on a show for months. I recommend following up with connections every 3 months in case anything circumstances change and you stay top of mind.

The entry-level position is being a PA or Production Assistant. Have you built up your resume by getting hired by local Production Companies on local shoots? Have you worked on an indie film set just to gain some experience and make some connections. Not all payment is monetary. If you have little to no experience or connections, you have to start somewhere. I do recommend doing some research on the crew you’re about to work with for little to no money to ensure it’s worth your time. Where I have a foot in the studio and indie world of filmmaking, if someone really impresses me on my indie set and an opportunity arises on a studio project, then I recommend them for that job. If I’m not able to monetarily pay it forward, then they’ve at least gained set experience and worked with professionals. Only you are in charge of your career. Don’t put all your hopes and dreams into one person, they have their own stuff they are trying to do.

Film school?

This is mainly a financial and time decision. Who will be paying the bill at the end of the day? College is not cheap in the US right now. What is your schedule like? What point of life are you in? Are you willing to make a big sacrifice of your time and start or go back to school?

Let’s look at the pros and cons. In school, you will learn the ‘how’ of filmmaking, will be surrounded by like-minded people, have access to free film gear, and have mentors that you can have conversations with. You have consistent access to filmmaking resources: equipment and people. That is your time to be creative, exercise your craft, and build your network. The college experience from a social perspective is also unlike any other. As a young adult who attended college right out of high school, it was my first taste of independence without being thrown into the real world. That was an incredibly helpful experience in my transition into adulthood. The cons is how much time and money will this cost you? You certainly can learn a lot on the job.

My personal recommendation is if you eventually land a more technical position like Director of Photography, Director, or Editor, then you will need some additional education. Honestly, most positions will require learning a special skill set. College will teach you the technical aspects and hands-on experience in a low-stakes environment. Whereas job experience will pay you, will throw you in the deep in to learn as you go, and will build your network.

There are other ways besides college to learn a specific skill set. You can always take an online course, read a few books, or attend some webinars. This will be in your free time and likely without any type of official certification. So it really depends on your end goals, learning style, what chapter of life you’re in, and how important is a traditional education for your end goal.  You can make it both ways: with or without a formal education with a piece of paper proving your “expertise.”  The bottom line is you need to hone your craft and have relationships with people that can hire you. You build a relationship by establishing a connection, build trust with that person, and get experience to earn yourself a reputation.

Needs & Goals

Be open to opportunities, but have your end goal in mind. What do you ultimately want to do in Film & TV? If you don’t know, that is fine. Keep accepting opportunities and asking questions to find clarity. Or maybe you know exactly what you want to do: “I want to be a DP.” Then five years into your career of working in camera, you realize working as a DIT is more aligned with your skill set and personality. You didn’t give up on your dream, you recognized a better fit for you.

This industry has many rushing currents and there will be times when you get an offer that you need to weigh if it’s right for you. You have the short-term need of paying the bills. Then you have your long-term goal and will need to consider how this opportunity will build towards my end goal? Perhaps it’s working with a very well-known, established crew where a recommendation by them will continue to pay off. Or it could be a credit that will give you some major cred in and outside of the industry. Or it could be a lower-paying project where you get more responsibility and a greater chance to learn more skill sets. But I’m getting ahead of myself. I’m talking about a point in your career where you have an established reputation and numerous job options. Then it’s up to you to navigate toward your end goal. Exciting right?! OK, let’s backtrack to how to get started.

Location

Where are you currently living? Are you in an area where films and TV shows are made consistently? If not, you need to live where the work is. I was living in South Carolina before coming to Atlanta. Before making the move, I beefed up my skill set and resume. I made the most of the opportunities in my area by getting hired on reality TV, commercials, and indie sets. Theater is another solid way to go. I moved with 3 months of expenses saved up so I didn’t have a side hustle. I also had no kids I was responsible for. So everyone’s financial plan and needs will look different. Plan accordingly if a major life change is needed.

Network

You can also be digitally networking to plant some seeds of connections prior to the move. Asking for a 15-minute phone call to pick someone’s brain, is a relatively low ask. Offer to work around their schedule and be specific about how much time you’re asking of them. Make it an easy ‘yes’ for them. Then be prepared with questions to ask. Be sure you do your research on this individual. Act like you’re paying $1,000 for that 15-minute phone call and you’ll get the value out of it. You’ll likely make an impression and gain a connection if you’re prepared with relevant questions. Your goal with these initial outreaches is to get answers that you can’t find anywhere else, gain insider knowledge, get on a professional’s radar, and become top of mind by maintaining a relationship so it can grow over time.

You need to have a flexible schedule and be ready to work at a moment’s notice. Often you will get booked the next day with a call the evening before. No time for putting your 2 weeks’ notice in. I’m not saying it’s fair, but that’s the way it goes. Oh, are you going to miss your kid’s 2nd birthday? Oh damn….I just got real there, didn’t I? Sorry, not sorry. You will very often need to make personal sacrifices for this industry, especially at the beginning. That’s why I asked at the start of this post, if you have no other choice than to work in film, only then is this career for you. I do hope the industry will shift so we can all have a better work-life balance.

Risk Management

Getting into the film industry is not risk-free, it does take a strong commitment. You must move to where there is work. That alone is a big obstacle for a lot of people. You MUST be networking at all times. Opportunities come from the people who know you and trust you enough to give you a shot.

Gain experience and exposure to whatever craft you wish to pursue. Learn in a lower-stakes environment to ensure you have enough interest in learning the skillset you wish to pursue.

Once you’re in, there is a lifestyle that may or may not be right for you. A filming schedule changes at a moment’s notice and it can be difficult to have a work-life balance. You may also have an unusual work schedule like starting in the mornings at the start of the week and finishing in the late evening at the end of the week.

It is a freelance industry. You are responsible for finding opportunities to get yourself on a job.

What do you think? Do you have what it takes to work in film?