UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Well just like everything else in New York, getting a job in the film industry
can seem daunting. But it is not as impossible as you think, if you take
advantage of your assets.
WHO DO YOU KNOW?
Yes it's a sad truth that a brilliant resume and oodles of talent will not help you until you get someone with the ability to help you to actually look at it. So answering the question "who do you know?" is your first task. And you probably know more people than you think.
1. Family: Are you fortunate enough to have an uncle or "step-cousin" in the business? Did your mom have a college roommate who now is an executive at Viacom? Then contact them. Tell them you are graduating, moving to town and am looking for opportunities to prove yourself. You are not afraid to start at the bottom (folks nothing will derail your career launch more than acting like you are too good to fetch coffee and make copies because you have a film degree. Copping a filmmaker "tude" will only ensure you a long career in the fast food, bike messenger or uber-driving fields).
2. Film School Alumni: These folks were in your very same shoes (many of them not all that long ago), and most of them got their foot in the door with the help of an alum who had gotten inside ahead of them. So now it's their turn to pay it forward...and they will. They know how you feel, and they know your education experience. Take advantage of any/all school sponsored reunions, networking events etc. Join the Facebook alumni pages and simply put the word out that you are in town and ready to work (and I will redirect you once again to the"Copping a filmmaker 'tude'" warning posted earlier.)
3. New York Loves Film!: There is a government office designed to help you filmmakers make films in New York. You should check it out often: http://www.nylovesfilm.com/new-to-film-making.php It has info on everything from permits to vendors to upcoming productions. Check it regularly.
4. Expand Your Parameters: Unlike L.A., which is a highly specialized Industry town where people only do one specific aspect of filmmaking, NYC film crew folk need to be a little more versatile, as the local film Industry is a bit more "Independent" in nature. So don't be too snobby to take a job in the art department if you area of interest and training is as a camera person, or take the available 2nd AD gig on that small indie web series, even though your dream is to be an feature film editor. NYC is a tough, expensive town to live in and you need to get into a "find work where you can get it" mode of thinking. And remember, the best way to find work is to keep working. It's a small, incestuous community. Staying on the inside of NYC Production, by working on productions, gets you first notice as to upcoming jobs.
4. Expand Your Parameters: Unlike L.A., which is a highly specialized Industry town where people only do one specific aspect of filmmaking, NYC film crew folk need to be a little more versatile, as the local film Industry is a bit more "Independent" in nature. So don't be too snobby to take a job in the art department if you area of interest and training is as a camera person, or take the available 2nd AD gig on that small indie web series, even though your dream is to be an feature film editor. NYC is a tough, expensive town to live in and you need to get into a "find work where you can get it" mode of thinking. And remember, the best way to find work is to keep working. It's a small, incestuous community. Staying on the inside of NYC Production, by working on productions, gets you first notice as to upcoming jobs.
BE PROFESSIONAL
School is over. So lose the flip flops, comb your hair, cover up the "Fuck Authority!" neck tattoos and get used to waking up early. You are now in the professional sector. And you will go far and go there fast if you prove yourself to be a reliable, intelligent, loyal, self motivated professional. If you are hired as aP.A., then be a great P.A. Do not try to let everyone know that you aspire for more (everyone already knows that "P.A." was not the top of your bucket list). But they hired you to be a P.A., so be a great one and you will not be a P.A. for long (because they will promote you). Be the guy who takes every opportunity to point out that this P.A. thing is really beneath you and hand out your "amazing super hero script" to anyone with access to anyone instead of doing your P.A. duties, and you will also not be a P.A. for very long...but not in the good way.
GET YOUR PROFESSIONAL SHIP SHAPED UP
You are now a "pro." So get your equipment and materials in professional order.
-Business Cards
You need them. Keep them professional looking ("cutesy" or overly clever biz cards don't inspire confidence). You are a serious professional, so have a serious card. Keep the information on it current. Keep them on your person at all times. You never know when a contact will be made. Also helps to keep a pen handy..oh and by the way "black" cards with white lettering may look cool, but you can't write on them (unless you have a silver Sharpie on hand). So keep your biz card cardstock white or a light color. They are not expensive to make anymore (vistaprint.com), and you can write them off on your taxes as a business expense. (fyi-yes, you are no longer a student and will start filing taxes in the new year....so keep your receipts!)
You need them. Keep them professional looking ("cutesy" or overly clever biz cards don't inspire confidence). You are a serious professional, so have a serious card. Keep the information on it current. Keep them on your person at all times. You never know when a contact will be made. Also helps to keep a pen handy..oh and by the way "black" cards with white lettering may look cool, but you can't write on them (unless you have a silver Sharpie on hand). So keep your biz card cardstock white or a light color. They are not expensive to make anymore (vistaprint.com), and you can write them off on your taxes as a business expense. (fyi-yes, you are no longer a student and will start filing taxes in the new year....so keep your receipts!)
-Website
On that biz card should be a simple, easy to remember website address. And that should lead to a fast, easy to read/navigate, professional website. Again "professional" is the key word. Wix.com, Squarespace.com and other website design engine sites are out there making it easy to create and maintain a site. I suggest you find successful people working in your area of interest (actor, cinematographer etc.) and check out their websites. See what all the "working" professional websites have in common. I would hazard to guess that they all have your name clearly stated, contact information easily found, and experience in the proper format that your professional area dictates. an actor for example had better have a resume in the correct actors resume format. And an effective professional headshot.
On that biz card should be a simple, easy to remember website address. And that should lead to a fast, easy to read/navigate, professional website. Again "professional" is the key word. Wix.com, Squarespace.com and other website design engine sites are out there making it easy to create and maintain a site. I suggest you find successful people working in your area of interest (actor, cinematographer etc.) and check out their websites. See what all the "working" professional websites have in common. I would hazard to guess that they all have your name clearly stated, contact information easily found, and experience in the proper format that your professional area dictates. an actor for example had better have a resume in the correct actors resume format. And an effective professional headshot.
-Resume/CV's:
We all know what these are. Make sure they are easy to read and are in the established formats that your areas of the industry use. Keep all the info current. DO NOT LIE on them. People in the business know all the tricks and terms. They will smell b.s. a mile away. If you do not have a lot of experience yet, then simply list what you have. State it in a professional manner, and know that your first job probably want have a "Vice President" in the job title.
We all know what these are. Make sure they are easy to read and are in the established formats that your areas of the industry use. Keep all the info current. DO NOT LIE on them. People in the business know all the tricks and terms. They will smell b.s. a mile away. If you do not have a lot of experience yet, then simply list what you have. State it in a professional manner, and know that your first job probably want have a "Vice President" in the job title.
You have probably already learned these formats in class, but if you need some reference you can try these:
Film Crew Resume format:
Actor Resume format:
Film Director Resume format:
Screenwriter Resume format:
-Letters of Recommendation
These might help depending on who they are from, and what job you are going for. Often they will mean nothing. If you have one, use it, but unless it's from Spike Lee saying you are the next Scorcese, don’t expect it to open many doors on their own.
These might help depending on who they are from, and what job you are going for. Often they will mean nothing. If you have one, use it, but unless it's from Spike Lee saying you are the next Scorcese, don’t expect it to open many doors on their own.
-Reels
Mostly for DP’s, editors, actors and directors. Make sure they are brief, professional and exciting/interesting to watch. Include a complete scene as well as the usual music video beauty shots version…try to look at reels of people who work. Copy them. They are working for a reason. These will be on your website (see above).
Mostly for DP’s, editors, actors and directors. Make sure they are brief, professional and exciting/interesting to watch. Include a complete scene as well as the usual music video beauty shots version…try to look at reels of people who work. Copy them. They are working for a reason. These will be on your website (see above).
-Good Attitude
(I've said it before but it bears repeating) Be positive, be professional. Arrogance is not an asset. No one cares that you won the Best Student Short Award at the Joe Blow Film Festival. They are hiring a PA, not a director. Be a professional, reliable PA, and they will notice that, and hire you again…and again- Bam! You are on the inside.
(I've said it before but it bears repeating) Be positive, be professional. Arrogance is not an asset. No one cares that you won the Best Student Short Award at the Joe Blow Film Festival. They are hiring a PA, not a director. Be a professional, reliable PA, and they will notice that, and hire you again…and again- Bam! You are on the inside.
UNIONS AND GUILDS
You can find information and office locations
for the above shown and all Industry unions and guilds at this link:
JUST FOR THE ACTORS
While the other posts on this blog have good general information for anyone moving to NYC, I thought I'd make at least one blog entry specifically for those of you thinking about moving to New York, to pursue your acting careers. Below are some facts, suggestions and other info that might help you further your career, keep your sanity and avoid some of the dangers that are out there.
SO YOU'RE AN ACTOR, EH?
Great..what restaurant do waiter at?
The downside of being an actor in NYC, is that most of the work is low/no paying. You are in NYC because you are serious about your craft and have come to terms with the fact that you will most likely be living on the "struggling" side of the success border. You'll be doing odd original plays in converted storefront theater spaces for audiences of 7 people- 3 of which just stepped in to get out of the rain. You will have to borrow money from parents to pay for acting classes and new headshots because the last avant-garde play you did made you shave your head and eye brows. And if you are lucky you might get a guest star spot on Law and Order SVU, where you get three lines as a child molester being interrogated by Mariska Hargitay. But the upside of being an actor in NYC, is that you are working where the best actors in thew world are. The cliche if you can make it there you can make it anywhere is true. New York actors are taken seriously because the industry knows how dedicated you have to be to be a professional actor in New York. So if you are talented, professional, driven, savvy, well-connected, and a bit lucky, you can have a creatively rewarding life as an actor in New york, and if you don't mind traveling a lot, you can even make a living at it. Now talent you can't teach and luck is just that, "luck"- but the rest you can certainly work on. Be a "professional" actor- meaning you keep your skills, your body, and your mind in good shape. You study and understand the "Industry"- how it works, what is happening now and on the horizon. You keep your headshots, resumes, websites, business cards and other materials up to date and of a professional level. You "network". You stay positive. And you make sure you keep the idea of pursuing an art form like Acting on a separate plane from the day-to-day, ins and outs of being a professional worker in an Industry. How? Well I can't adequately answer this in a blog post. But here are few things to know:
1. WHO ARE YOU?
Now we all know that any actor can play any part. Acting is acting, and finding the truth in a character and bringing that truth to life through your instrument is what every serious actor trains to do. But that doesn't mean you are right for every role. And knowing your "type" to use a horrible word, is particularly important. My strength as an actor, the one thing I had over most other actors, was my versatility. Regional theaters loved me because I could be fit into almost any play- I could go from Shakespearian tragedy to Neil Simon comedy to rock musicals with just a wig and a costume change. But what no one ever told me (and what hindered my acting career) was that unless you are at a L.O.R.T. audition (League of Regional Theaters) no one really cares about your "range" or all the different kinds of characters you have or could play. They are casting a specific role with specific requirements and characteristics. And you hope they are enlightened directors who are looking for the "essence" of the character, but most are probably doing some level of typecasting...and if you don't fit their preconceived notion of the role should look like, you will not be getting the job. It was a bitter pill to swallow and no one took the time to tell me this. I had to learn it the hard way and do a lot of remedial "image" work- really figuring out how I came off to Casting Directors- what were my "signature qualities" my "essence." So make sure you know how the Industry sees you. And then tailor your career accordingly. Now the lucky thing for you is that you are not in L.A. where this is all consuming. New York likes "actors". They value training. So be the best trained and best prepared actor in the room. Then when the audition starts, just relax and "play."
2. ACTING CLASSES ARE A MUST
This is true for any serious actor in any city. You must keep you tools sharp. You must keep your acting muscles taught and agile. A chef keeps their knives clean and ready for work at all times. An actor keeps their "knives" sharp and ready to go at all times as well. And acting classes, on top of being vital for keeping your skills sharp, are also a great place to meet other actors (and even sometimes directors) who can become friends, colleagues, and resources for you to find agents, hear about auditions, get day jobs, etc. They are not competition, they are colleagues and a support system. Don't be jealous someone got a role. Be happy for them. They'll be happy for you. Find your peers and engage with them with respect.
So you must find the quality classes and teachers in the area. There are thousands of classes and teachers in NYC. Some are great, and many are crap and some are literally crooks taking advantage of desperate young actor wannabes. Be methodical in how you choose a class. Ask yourself and answer for yourself "What exactly am I looking for in a class/teacher?" Research the classes and instructors. Who teaches there? Can anyone go or do you have to audition? (FYI- If "anyone can go", then chances are you are gonna be in a class with anyone who could not get into a class they had to audition for.) Ask other actors you like and respect where they study.
I personally will recommend only a few places on this blog as I have personally witnessed/experienced them to be of quality. Check them out but ultimately you must find the school/class/teacher that challenges and fulfills your own specific goals.
Bob Krakower:
This is the one name every trained actor knows (or should). He is the "Leslie Kahn" of the East Coast" (If you do not know who Leslie Kahn is, check out our Life in Los Angeles sister blog at: ) He is extremely hard t get to and get appointments with but if you can, you should.
This is the one name every trained actor knows (or should). He is the "Leslie Kahn" of the East Coast" (If you do not know who Leslie Kahn is, check out our Life in Los Angeles sister blog at: ) He is extremely hard t get to and get appointments with but if you can, you should.
http://www.bobkrakower.com/
New York Stage and Film/Powerhouse Theater at Vassar summer Apprenticeship:
NYS&F is a fabulous Theater Company with a Film division as well. They host a unique summer apprentice ship on the campus of Vassar College in Poughkeepsie. If you want to escape the City summer heat and do some great work and take some great classes, check this program out.
http://www.newyorkstageandfilm.org/
The Atlantic Theater:
They have a full time conservatory as well as part time classes and summer programs. The Atlantic theater reputation is well established and quality teachers/instructors pass through their classes.
https://atlanticactingschool.org/
The Barrow Group:
A well established and lauded Off Broadway Theater Company, The Barrow Group now has training for actors and playwrights. Check out their approach and info at the following:
https://www.barrowgroup.org/
Upright Citizens Brigade:
UCB has the only accredited improv and sketch comedy in the country. Classes fill up fast so do;t dilly dally. And until you get into advanced classes, the range of talent in the class members will vary greatly...but if you are good you will rise.
https://newyork.ucbtrainingcenter.com/
New York Stage and Film/Powerhouse Theater at Vassar summer Apprenticeship:
NYS&F is a fabulous Theater Company with a Film division as well. They host a unique summer apprentice ship on the campus of Vassar College in Poughkeepsie. If you want to escape the City summer heat and do some great work and take some great classes, check this program out.
http://www.newyorkstageandfilm.org/
The Atlantic Theater:
They have a full time conservatory as well as part time classes and summer programs. The Atlantic theater reputation is well established and quality teachers/instructors pass through their classes.
https://atlanticactingschool.org/
The Barrow Group:
A well established and lauded Off Broadway Theater Company, The Barrow Group now has training for actors and playwrights. Check out their approach and info at the following:
https://www.barrowgroup.org/
Upright Citizens Brigade:
UCB has the only accredited improv and sketch comedy in the country. Classes fill up fast so do;t dilly dally. And until you get into advanced classes, the range of talent in the class members will vary greatly...but if you are good you will rise.
https://newyork.ucbtrainingcenter.com/
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