These days, finding a job in Hollywood is a job in and of
itself. The industry can be competitive and intimidating for someone unfamiliar
to the ins and outs of the business. But industry veterans will tell you that
while working in show business can be one of the most stimulating and rewarding
careers, breaking in is often the hardest part.
If you are starting out in the industry and don’t know where
to begin, you may have to put your artistic ambitions aside for a short time
before getting a foot in the door. If you haven’t gone to film school, don’t
know many people in the industry, and your résumé isn’t very extensive, you’ll
probably have a harder time landing your first job.
Your best bet may be to start off small, working
non-production related jobs on set. That’s what cinematographer Steven Fierberg
did. The director of photography for the HBO hit series “Entourage” got his
start twenty years ago as a janitor on a movie set.
“You just get to know people, and from there, people will
take you under their wing and teach you the ropes,” says Fierberg. “A lot of
cinematographers got their start as electricians or gaffers. You just work your
way up.”
It is important to remember that while you’re busy making
contacts on set, you have to be working on your portfolio in your off-time.
You may have to work on projects for little or no money in
order to develop your craft. Collaborating with peers you’ve met on various jobs
is always a great way to expand your résumé.
United Talent Agency’s production agent, Robert Arakelian,
suggests that the best thing to do is shoot as many
specs as possible and jump at every single opportunity there is to work on a
legitimate project, “often despite the lack of compensation,” he says. “At this
particular stage of one’s career, all that matters is creating a body of
work.”
If you don’t have too many connections yet, the second best
way to find work is by searching the classifieds for people requesting the
services you provide. Either way, don’t expect to be paid all that much. You may
even have to invest some of your own financial resources to get projects done.
This is when money you earn from entry-level jobs will come in handy.
Making sure your reels are well done and reflective of your
potential opens the door for more work. Beyond that, a telling portfolio will
enable you to find an agent that can share in your vision.
When looking for an agent to represent you, it is important
to find one who is straightforward, tenacious and driven. More importantly, you
must find someone who understands you and can share in the vision you have for
your career.
It is just
as important to find someone you’re comfortable with and who understands you
because, according to Arakelian, “clients rely on [their
agents] to guide their careers and to make career choices on their behalf.”
Usually, freelancers in production do not depend on publicists and managers, so
it is important you and your agent are on the same page when it comes to
decisions made about your career.
Find out what agents look for in a client and vice versa.
As long as you keep honing your craft, you’ll be seeing your
portfolio evolve and mature into something that eventually might earn you a
shiny statuette to put on your mantle as a testament of
your hard work.
You will constantly be learning new things as you work, but
you may consider enrolling in workshops or classes specifically designed to
teach you about the latest methods and technology available for your field. The
industry is constantly changing, so you must be able to adapt with it.
Otherwise, opportunities may pass you by—something you can’t allow in this
industry.
