Tips/experiences from all the RED community here about getting into the industry...

[Michael Vera]

Hello guys,

First off I'm aware of this thread:

http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=32327

This, however, is a different direction. My question is about after the initial learning process..

Little background info: I'm 19 and just got out of high school last year, and am currently enrolled in/going to start film school in August...

I truly do have a passion for it, in almost all aspects. From the pre-production process, to filming (whether it be doing things on set, actual principal photography, etc), all the way down to post processing, etc. I'm Interested in the different avenues of film (actually filming as a operator, DoP, etc) as well as Directing, producing, etc...

I find the task of entering the industry daunting (I in no way think its an easy thing to do), however that is the course I have chosen to go down. Unfortunately (and I believe this adds to the difficulty), in the area where I live (Northern Virginia) there aren't many huge productions to get in on (being a PA for example). So I plan on trying to connect with people in school and go from there...

My question to the RED community, whether you are someone that has made a career of it, is currently in the industry, or like me is planning on entering it....What have you done? What's your story? and what did you find helpful in your journey to break into film (no matter what branch of film)?

-Mike Vera

 

[Mark Allen]

Just a couple quick things....

1. The industry loves specialists. While your in school, discover what it is that you not only love but excel at. (If you're not sure, it's the thing people ask you to do for them again and again.) Do explore everything with an open mind though. Just because it seems like being a director is the pinnacle, most people don't understand the job and it's less probably to make a living as a director than an actor. But everyone loves a specialist. They love the people who are great at _________. Makes themselves feel safe to have that taken care of in good hands.

2. If you are even remotely considering Directing - start taking acting classes immediately. Same with writing, frankly. Most all the writers I know who work in Hollywood were actors first.

3. Ann Archer (an actress) advised me this when I was a theater student (who wanted to direct films). "If you can do anything else, you will." I always remembered it, but honestly, I don't think I really understood it until 10 years later and didn't understand how true and deep it was. I'll try to hint at what she means just so you don't miss her wisdom like I did. The industry has a lot of forms of rejection - so if you find that you can do anything else and get by - you will because why on earth would someone want to take all this rejection when there is a much more happy alternative for you. Fortunately - working on the crew is not filled with the same type of rejection. But it does apply whenever you are reaching ahead. (Like a gaffer wanting to be a DP - if you keep getting gaffer jobs, it's really hard to make the sacrifice to DP.)

4. Get exposure to the industry as much as you can. People like people they know more than people they don't know. Intern only at places you'd like to end up working with or at. Do intern. Do whatever you can to be on crews and get near people doing things you find interesting. It won't all be fun, but it's important to learn the vibe of how things work.

5. Be a big fish in a small pond. Don't feel like you have to move to Hollywood. The industry has changed a lot. As a filmmaker, you almost have a greater advantage making films in an area where people won't be expecting $1000 to $5000 to rent their location for the day and people won't try to close down your productions than in Hollywood. Take advantage of where-ever you are.


Those are just some random tips off the top of my head.

 

[Michael Vera]

That's exactly the start I was looking for...

I was thinking of trying to find local projects and PA'ing them for more "on set" experience.

 

[Nick Gardner]

Hands down the best education is to be on set as much as possible. There's more going on in NOVA than you might think. Because DC is DC, there are always movies coming and going. Keep in mind that this is a long road. The Washington Source is the big lighting rental house in that area. You could call them and get a job as a shop guy, learn the basics, and start going out on G&E jobs. That's probably the fastest way to get on set on major motion pictures in the area you are in. If you want to learn about the camera dept. that's a bit harder theses days. DC Camera has a lot of HD stuff, not sure if they have Reds, and Erich who owns the place is a really nice guy.

Take whatever you can get, and pay attention and ask questions. The advice given to me the first time I worked on a set was, "Keep your mouth shut. Pay attention. Find the heaviest thing and offer to carry it around all day" ;-)

Like I said just remember it's a long road, and you need to be in it for the long haul.

Nick

 

[Birns and Sawyer]

"Keep your mouth shut. Pay attention. Find the heaviest thing and offer to carry it around all day"

That's a great quote.

 

[Drew Suppa]

"Keep your mouth shut. Pay attention. Find the heaviest thing and offer to carry it around all day"

Art Department? :nonod:

 

[Yousuf Abbasi]

I didn't go to film school, I chose to study math/engineering instead. But, if I had gone to film school, the first thing I'd have done is borrow as much equipment as possible and play with it 24-7.