The Importance of ....

 ... To be honest I've got a couple of things bouncing around in my head today, so I honestly have no idea where this is likely to go. For those that don't know me, I work in the film industry, so a lot of what sparks my rants lately have to do with that. Not specific issues, but broader things, like the issues I discussed last ramble ... the shift in focus in Hollywood from making movies to making money (and really the shift in businesses ... specifically large corporations, which is what most studios have become). 

I've been working in this industry for ... well it will be 30 years later this year so I'm just going to start calling it 30 years. I've seen a lot of change in my time. The rise of digital audio from the reel to reel audio recorders, the move to high definition, the death of film (Ok, ok, there's still some film being shot, but let's be honest, there's still people shooting on VHS if you look for them ... While I still honestly believe that there is a look to film that digital doesn't quite capture, the medium is basically no longer a mainstay in the industry) and the rise of purely digital production. "AI" being the latest big change in the workflow, but I'm not going to talk about THAT elephant at the moment, however.

It's, honestly, one of the things that I love about my job. The constant change, the evolution. Encountering new processes and workflows, finding the flaws and coming up with solutions. Learning new tech and figuring out how to best integrate it into the current workflows, or sometimes how to manage something similar without the expensive new toys.

There are two pieces of advice that I give to every student tour, young new hire, or anyone else interested in starting in the industry. The first is to make 100 percent sure that you love it before you commit to it, because this industry does not tolerate half measures. And secondly I don't care where you're going to school, focus on internships (the Professors don't always care for that one, but it's true).

 Students will occasionally ask me why. The answer is simple, experience. Internships told me that I really DIDN'T want to try and be a DP. Not that I didn't enjoy working with the cameras, setting up shots, and the artistic part of that job, but it showed me that I HATED working on set and in production. It also gave me experience in parts of the industry that I hadn't considered. And when it came time to get INTO the industry it was that experience that got me that first job, not fancy film degree I had ... and that was a job in a city where I didn't know anyone, where I had no connections in the industry and was at just about every disadvantage you can have starting out as a result.

This is very much a networking industry, knowing someone, getting a reference from them, or a suggestion of who to call or contact is the primary source of finding work, particularly early on. Internships give you connections and, more importantly, gets you connections that have experience with you in the working environment. Meeting people that you don't know at a networking event is all well and good, but the chances of them giving you a referral or a reference from that meeting are slim. If they're looking for someone and you just met them recently, maybe you'll get a leg up as you are fresh in their thoughts .... if they don't have names with better references already in line.

But I can tell you ... it isn't just about getting an internship and showing up. No. Show interest, ask questions, pay attention and show it. Interns, obviously, are often given the errands, understand that a lot of jobs start that way and own it, if you're frequently getting coffee for someone at the same time each day, have it ready for them, the way they like it, before they ask for it. Don't have an assigned task at the moment, ask someone if they mind if you just hang out and watch, or, if you see someone is busy, ask if there's something you can help them with. Be willing to learn things outside the area that you think you want to go into. First, learning is always good. Secondly, you might find another interest.

If you show an interest in learning, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to helping out. You will distinguish yourself to the people you're working with and it will put you on a short list. More than that, the industry is small, and even if where you had your internship doesn't have work for you right away, they may suggest a contact at another company or reach out to see if their other contacts are looking for anyone. THAT is gold.

I will tell you from experience if I got an email with a resume, I'd look it over and file it under possibilities, but if I got a resume for a prospect from someone that I knew, someone I had worked with in the past or otherwise knew professionally, those resumes went into the call back folder ... that was the folder that was my first go to if none of my personal contacts were available. Why? Because someone that I knew had vouched for them, as opposed to the otherwise random resume that just showed up.

Because here's the thing about a reference or a referral. By giving it they have said that they approve of you, and, to some degree, that is putting their reputation on the line for you, and there are very few that will be willing to do that unless they know that you will be a good fit, that you can do good work. If I recommend someone to my contacts, it's going to be someone that I think will leave them with a positive reflection on me. And if you're the intern that sat around waiting for someone to tell you what they needed done ... you aren't the one I'm recommending.

I know, I know, you're going to film school ... surely you'll just jump into an editor's gig, right ... yeah ... no. Doesn't work that way. You're not getting out of school and editing the next Marvel movie. If you catch a lucky break you might land a post PA position with the edit team. If you do, remember what I told you about getting people coffee. ;)