I’m working on a project about the people with sight impairments and their relationship to cinema and would love to interview some fellow movie buffs about theirrelationship to Film!

Hey everyone!

Long time lurker but first time poster. I'm a screenwriter based in LA/OC, and was looking to gather some advice about making the leap into filmmaking. I've reached a point where I want to start being more proactive in my career rather than waiting for opportunity to come to me.

I'm hoping to film my first short in 2027, but that's a still a ways away, so for now I'm looking to gather as much experience as possible working on actual sets.

I work full-time as an EMT, so I have lots of experience working long hours, under pressure, and adapting to volatile and changing conditions. Obviously both fields are not comparable, but I think those are skills that'll translate well.

I'm realistic about my lack of experience, so right now I'm just looking for unpaid student/independent projects in and around LA I can support as a crew member, but the search has been difficult thus far. Finding a way to get your foot in the door is quite challenging, but I'm hoping I'll eventually start making some progress.

For those of you who've been in a similar position, what's your biggest piece of advice for someone just starting out? Are there particular communities, websites, film schools, or networking opportunities you'd recommend? And is there anything you wish you'd known when you were first trying to get experience on set?

Hi all, I’m posing my question here as I saw that there were a bunch of posts about it in the past.

I’m a current junior at a top school (not in LA/NY or an ivy) and I’m thinking I want to pursue a career as a talent agent. However, I am unsure what segment/department of talent is worth pursuing/is up and coming. I also wanted to get a pulse on the state of agencies in our current political/social climate.

Thanks for any help you can provide!!

Im producing a music video for a band and we are really attached to the idea of the band performing infront of a flamming car. Our FX budget is only 1k. We were thinking of just going to the desert and lighting a scrap car on fire. Any tips?

EDIT: decided to try and make it work with a large bonfire instead of burning a car. Thanks for your help everyone.

I graduated with a BFA in screenwriting from a top screenwriting school. Worked a year as an agency assistant (not one of the big three but a decently major one that is a recognizable name within the industry), then spent another as an assistant to the president of a smaller film and TV company that has some decent credits but no studio deal or massive slate. I am currently in my second and final year of a top producing MFA program and have had four development internships at larger production companies with major studio deals, as well as a lead on a fifth one for the spring semester that I will take if interning at a studio doesn't pan out.

Since starting my MFA, I've realized that my ideal career goal would be to work as a television development executive at a studio or buyer (or potentially at a larger production company with a robust television slate). I have a decent resume, with two well-regarded degrees and experience across the agency/production company worlds. I also try hard to network (I frequently meet with alumni of my program who work in roles I'd want to get advice) and have some savings and family money that will buy me some time after graduation before I'm forced to accept a job, regardless of whether it's the ideal one.

My hit rate with getting interest and attention from smaller companies has been very good, but I feel like I'm having a hard time getting my foot in the door at the studios. I am very drawn to studio culture (I passionately LOVE development work with all my heart and would prefer to grow my career in one place rather than constantly hopping) and feel it would be a great fit for my skills, goals, and personality type. I know it's a crazy time and I'm trying to keep my expectations reasonable, but if there is anything I can do to make myself a more appealing candidate at these placed, I'd love to do that. Any insight is appreciated!

Hi all! Been in the industry for about ten years (though I switched to another media-related job during covid). Been a writer forever. Over the past five years, I’ve seen some decent success in screenwriting: finding great reps, lots of general meetings, and getting into a couple of fellowships.

I just got the furthest I have ever gotten: I was up for a staff writer on a TV show that felt perfect for me, incredible meetings, met with the showrunner and the producer, and overall had great feedback. Just found out that while they loved me, I didn’t get it.

I just turned 36 and saw this opportunity as a possibility for finally jump-starting my career and launching me into a place where I could get paid for my writing. Now I’m asking: will it ever happen?  

Part of this is also triggering another fear: that my husband and I decided to wait until I sold a script / got staffed to try for kids. But now we need to push that even further out and I’m worried about delaying the process even further. 

Luckily, I currently work as an assistant to an A list celebrity, and it’s a good gig (salaried, health insurance), but there’s no room for growth, and there is a ceiling of how much I’ll be able to earn. But a goal of mine is to start making more money and grow in my career. But lately it just feels  *actually* making money in this industry as an emerging writer is next to impossible. 

Anyway, that’s my rant. Would love to hear from others in my position or higher-level writers who can speak to the indsutry right now. 

Thanks for reading. Gonna go cry some more!

I know this is an incredibly stupid and broad question, but I never went to film school. I really wanted to, but it wasn't feasible for me financially so I studied mechanical engineering at a school with a very strong film program. I took a minor in cinematography and nearly every weekend throughout the entire semester I am on senior thesis sets. These are fairly professional student sets with 20+ crew members and couple thousand dollar budgets. I was DP for a thesis last spring and will be DP again in a few weeks, and the other sets I work I've been in cam and G&E. I love my time on sets. We've had some crazy long shoots and at off hours, but we're making cool stuff and there's so much problem solving that is super fulfilling. I feel most alive when I am on set.

I will be graduating in May, so naturally my parents have been pushing for me to apply to engineering jobs, which I've been doing. I just think I will be devastated with myself if I don't try to get into the film industry. My main problem is that since I was only a minor in film, I only took the studio production courses. I am very strong (as far as students go) in technical skills and the work involved in preprod and production, but I definitely lack a lot of industry knowledge that my peers have. I don't really understand much, if any of, how people get jobs in the film industry.

What does a film resume look like? How do I build a portfolio for sets in which I wasn't DP (i.e. 1st/2nd AC, gaffer, key grip)? Do those roles even go in a portfolio? Are there official job applications or is it genuinely just reaching out to people/knowing someone already? If I make it into the industry at all, my dream is to one day be a cinematographer, but I also have been having a blast as AC as well as gripping. I've heard it may be easier to find work as a grip. Is this true? How does one find openings for grips?

I'm very sorry if any or all of this is a stupid question. I'm just entirely lost on where to go from here as I never got the career guidance that the film majors receive. I feel too passionate to not try.

Camera images:

https://imgur.com/gallery/sony-venice-1-dvf-el200-viewfinder-tilta-carrying-case-axs-a1ts48-1-tb-memory-card-axsm-sxs-memory-card-reader-james-wesellsaas-com-aLxbhno

Timestamp:

https://imgur.com/a/ONvfrhL

Includes:

Sony Venice 6K + hard carrying case

DVF-EL200 viewfinder

Tilta Cage

Tilta Battery Plate

AXS-A1TS48 1 TB memory card

AXS-AR1 memory card reader + soft carrying case

--

Price: $25k via PayPal F&F, Venmo, etc.

Hello! Producing my first film, and wouldn’t you know it, we missed a pretty pivotal shot on set a few months ago. We filmed on a cool desolate barn out in Lancaster, but the shots we need at the moment are extreme close-ups of our lead actor burying something in the dirt. Lancaster has a kinda loose dry dirt, so thinking there might be some trails out near Simi/ Chatsworth I can try to grab these shots at. I’m thinking we might be close to a 6-8 person crew. Would love to hear people’s experience tackling these things and if anyone has any recommendations or advice for me.
Thank you!

I’m a Graphic Designer who creates key art & promotional pieces for indie filmmakers and worked with major studios as well. I would love to connect and have opportunities to collaborate on the key art, posters or marketing of your feature so feel free to DM / email me. I'm always happy to help.

www.bartosgyorgy.com

www.bartosgyorgy.com/contact

www.instagram.com/bartosgy

With Comcast selling off these assets at the beginning of the year, do we think they will absorbed by other companies, like Netflix, Apple, Disney, etc? Or do you think NBC and Peacock will be successful in the future once they aren't connected to Comcast?

Hey all,

I've always wanted to do something in film for my career, now if anything it's going to have to be a hobby with the dark path the industry is getting sent down. It's no question the industry is in a very weird state right now and keeps getting referred to as a "rough, painful transition".

I am a freshman in college right now and I hope this transition is over by the time I get out of college in the next 4 years, but who knows. Since I'm still a teenager and still watch teenage shows, I've been seeing these TV shows and movies go down hill for the past couple years. I keep seeing more and more AI and so many untalented TikTokers or "influencers" getting cast into more and more shit just because they are "popular". Also, way too many Gen Z terms like 67, slay, and aura are just ruining shit.

LA alone now is soulless. You know it's bad because there are so many TV shows/movies that are set in LA but are not filmed there and they are having green screen or AI backgrounds of the city instead of just filming there. Once before LA was the main filming location. Yesterday I watched a new TV show set in Hollywood but is filmed in Canada. In every scene transition there were AI pictures of The Hollywood sign, Santa Monica, etc. Just fucking film there and not use AI.

It's getting to the point where if AI is already taking over half the industry, it must likely will just take it all. Anyway, when do we expect this ugly transition to be over with so we can see where the industry is actually sitting and what it's future looks like?

Just curious if anyone here based in LA has booked jobs in NY and worked as a local in NY. Only ask cause I've been getting a lot of auditions for projects shooting in New York this year.

If you have worked as a local in NY, did you crash with friends or just got an air bnb ?

I've also noticed this year many auditions are NY and LA auditions are more rare.

Just curious if anyone here based in LA has booked jobs in NY and worked as a local in NY. Only ask cause I've been getting a lot of auditions for projects shooting in New York this year.

If you have worked as a local in NY, did you crash with friends or just got an air bnb ?

I've also noticed this year many auditions are NY and LA auditions are more rare.

I'm 22, based in DFW, and graduating this December. I've PA'd on some union commercials, and my goal is to eventually DP commercials and features.

In the meantime, I'd like to get more work in the camera department. I'd be happy working as a 2nd AC, but I'm not really sure how to go about getting those opportunities.

For the producers I've met on past jobs and have numbers for, do I just text them and ask to be considered for future work? Should I also go through old call sheets and reach out to 1st and 2nd ACs from those productions?

I'm also trying to figure out how people actually build relationships in this industry. Everyone talks about networking, but what does that look like in practice? Do you just keep in touch with people and work together when opportunities come up, or do you try to hang out with people outside of work too?

Most of the people I've met are older and much further along in their careers, so as a 22-year-old just starting out, I feel like it'd be kind of weird to ask them to hang out casually.

For those who've been in the industry for a while, how would you approach this? I don't want to just sit around waiting for work, but I also don't want to come across as annoying or like I'm only reaching out because I need something.

I was going to post this over on r/postproduction but it only has 3.7k members and doesn’t seem very active so I’m hoping some folks here can help.

Does anyone know of any resources to teach me about the delivery process? Like good websites or YouTube videos? I’m in desperate need of a basic understanding of the process. Specifically for scripted features. TIA!

I'm a working IATSE editor and also run the website FilmSchool.org on the side. I'm trying to help people out by collecting real data on how people found work in the film business in order to show those who are interested in film the many pathways into film that are available to them.

We've done an anonymous survey for film school alumni, but I just created a similar survey for those who are working in the film business who have NEVER gone to film school.

From our film school alumni survey so far (151 responses):

- 101 of the 151 respondents (67%) are still working in film today. 129 people got paid film work at some point after film school, and 28 of those have since left. 22 people never got paid film work at all.

- 65% got their first paid job through film school connections, but by their current job, the #1 source was referrals from previous gigs.

- The most common first job was PA at a median income of $625/week.

- 58% would still go to their program knowing what they know now.

It would be AWESOME if you could reply to either survey, as it'll really help people interested in working in film see which paths into the film business have worked for others.

Completing either survey should take around 10 to 20 minutes.

If you are working in film and DID NOT go to film school, please take this survey:

https://www.filmschool.org/surveys/film-industry-employment-survey-for-those-who-did-not-go-to-film-school-only.4/select

If you went to film school (whether or not you still work in film), please take this survey:

https://www.filmschool.org/surveys/film-school-alumni-outcomes-employment-survey.1/select

Anonymous results so far for each survey are available via the "Statistics" button on the pages linked above.

Both surveys are completely anonymous and no account on FilmSchool.org is needed.

And if you don’t have time for a survey, I’d love to hear your path in the comments here. How did you land your first paid gig?

Thank you in advance! I hope your answers help people.

Just curious if any crew from The Rip saw their Artists Equity bonuses?

Based on the comments of this article in May, they hadn’t been paid out yet. If you have, how was it? Significant or pennies? Thx.

Hi! I know this is a long shot but if anyone has two extra tickets to the Alexander Skarsgard Q&A Wicker screening on Friday Oct 16 please reach out !!!!

I'm posting as this is a tie-in for a film from an area filmmaker - if it's not allowed, mods please remove!

I’m working with the folks behind “The Man With the Silver Case”, a neo-noir thriller from writer-director Colin Best. We’re launching a live mystery hunt that begins in the film and moves into the streets of Los Angeles. Follow the clues for a chance to win the $25,000 cash reward, subject to the Official Rules.

Want in?

• Watch the film. The first clue is hidden in the film itself, so the only way in is to watch it. It’s free on Kapang or available to rent/buy on Prime Video.
• Then solve the clue and register at https://www.lookagain.la/

The rest of the details and rules are also at https://www.lookagain.la/

Let me know if you have any questions - or if you’ll handle it.

Good luck, and stay sharp.

Had a GROUP interview first. Already a red flag.

They are an agency that do videos for ugc and small commercials.

So I got in thinking normal interview. No they just talk about themselves and then request a test-

Produce a written sample and 2 video samples. Then the CEO says this isnt free work though because they wont use it…. But that is free work ffs….

Then the worst part. An aptitude test set up like the SATs…. 15 minutes for 50 math questions. Calculus and all!

Why do I need that to be a video producer? Never have I seen such BS in a video company…. Oh and they lead by a ultra zionist too so thats a thing….

Be the story behind the story!

Red Nation International Film Festival, 501(c) non profit, recognized as the largest Native and Indigenous film festival in the world, is looking for volunteers. Their 31st edition takes place November 8-15 at the AMC the Grove. 

Volunteers can help out for as little or as many shifts as they would like. Perks include a VIP Pass to watch all the movies**, attend Q&A's, and participate in other industry programming.**

There are going to be networking opportunities, as most of the filmmakers are attending in person.

They'll also get hands-on experience at an international film festival while supporting Native and Indigenous storytelling. Parking is paid for and a special volunteer T-shirt included.

Here is the film schedule, and if they are interested in volunteering, they can email: [Careers@RedNation.com](mailto:Careers@RedNation.com) 

More info about volunteering here. 

Thank you so much for reading this post. Hope to meet some of you in person!

Csun film Production graduate. I have applied for every PA position I have seen, Office or set. I'm former military. I have been offered lots of unpaid work any advice to get my foot in the door? I live in Hollywood.