10 TIPS TO WORKING IN THE FILM INDUSTRY (PART 2)
6. KEEP UP WITH THE NEWS
I’m gonna eep this one short and sweet: Know what is going on in the world. Be on the lookout for inspiration. As Mark Twain said: “Truth is stranger than Fiction”.
Also, some of the most memorable films are based on true events so it is important to keep up with the times, have an opinion and dare to express it through your work.
7. KEEP YOUR DAY JOB (OR DON’T)
Some of you might be happily working in the industry. You can maybe skip this point.
For those of you who are still trying to get in the industry, I feel you. I’ve been there. Hopefully you have a job that helps pay the bills, whatever it is. I suggest you keep that job. Not all of us can afford to drop everything and follow our dreams and I will never suggest that. However, be aware of how much time your current job takes and make sure you make some time to follow your passion. Like I said on tip 2, make sure you make time to do the work.
Also, every few months see where you are and evaluate your options: could you maybe downgrade your life style and get a part time job instead that gives you more time to work on your passion? If you are a student and have a good relationship with your parents, could you maybe move in with them for a while so that you can save some money? See what works for you.
8. BE PROFESSIONAL
This is a general tip that can work for anyone in the world, but it is important so I am keeping it in here. This includes:
-Watch out for typos in your CV.
-Hell, watch out for typos in general.
-Be polite: Even if people are not polite to you. Greet people with a smile. Also, your mama was right: please and thank you go a long way.
-Be aware of social etiquette or protocols: write proper emails. You know, with a greeting, proper punctuation and a signature.
-If you are working with people from different cultures be aware that certain greetings might make them uncomfortable. I have learned that the hard way as a kiss-on-the-cheek-greeting-Spanish-gal.
-Be punctual: Always. There is no fashionably late in this industry. Only fashionably early.
-Know your place: Are you an assistant? Then do as you’re told. Are you in charge? Then take responsibility.
-Do the work: if you make a mistake, correct it, learn from it and move on. Just, get it done.
-Don’t ask what can be googled. Just… don’t. It’s a waste of people’s time. If you googled and are still unclear, then of course, do ask questions but have them be specific to what you have already learned.
-Be available: Offer to help even if it is not part of your job description.
9. READ
This is less of a filmmaker tip and more of a life tip in general. Reading is important. And it’s good for you. It stimulates your imagination, it inspires you and helps improve your writing and ability to focus. I am a constant learner so, as well as fiction, I love reading books about the film industry. I also love reading books on self improvement and productivity. I will of course share some of them in the future.
So please find whatever it is you like and read it and do it. I don’t care if it’s Tolstoi, manga or “Twilight”. There is no wrong choice here. Read whatever you enjoy. You never know what can inspire you for future projects.
So, same thing as with making time for your passion, make sure you make some time to read. It doesn’t have to be much. I personally like reading half an hour every morning when I wake up and then again before bed. Sometimes if I’m really tired, it’ll be less. However I always try to make some room for reading.
10. GO TO FILM FESTIVALS AND WATCH SOMETHING NEW
I am not talking about going to Berlin or Cannes (although, if it’s available to you, please go). There are so many festivals out there. I live in Barcelona, Spain and my favourites are Sitges Film Festival and D’A Film Festival (Festival de Cinema d’Autor). Festivals are a great opportunity to discover new filmmakers and also of seeing certain films that you might not be able to see otherwise.
Check out if your city or town has any film festivals you can attend. They probably will. Watch whatever you like, but I suggest you at least pick one film that you wouldn’t usually watch. Be open to new things! You never know where your new favourite director might show up or what story will inspire you to make a new film. Or simply, might personally touch you when you least expect it.