Finding Jobs

[DDirector]

Ah, the moment when you want to put your skills out there and show everyone what you can do by making a film. You have fun and love doing what you do all while getting paid to do it... sounds, just Awesome!

But, the reality is, its not that easy to find a place to work at/for. Whether its freelance or a permanent job.
Sure, for those who have been in the industry for many years and have worked on big name films its easier, but not when you're just starting out.

Although I'm not JUST starting out, I have done many projects, its just that finding continuous work is hard.

I've been searching on Mandy and Craigslist for jobs as a Cinematographer/Camera Operator/Gaffer, and some other similar jobs, and how many have I gotten a reply back to? Maybe 1 or 2. And it seems that those that reply back, don't even have the funding for the project and seem to be more of a 'voluntary' job. Or those that say its paid, AFTER completion and money is raise from distribution.

Although I am not brand new to this, I still do some work for free to gain more experience, credit and make more friends. But, there has to be a limit of when it stops being voluntary and gets serious.

I'm looking for work out there. As a Cinematographer. But, willing to work as a Camera Operator, Gaffer, Grip, or anything with the camera/lighting department. But, WHERE to look? Mandy, Craigslist is hard. People don't reply and there aren't many job offerings, let alone PAID.

Word of mouth is GREAT! However, if you haven't found jobs paid/non-paid that hired you yet, you cant really work with word of mouth.
Some people I have worked with are not even from the country. Or don't even have the money to do another project, as they are funding it themselves.

Hmmm..... Where to look out for more jobs?
Any tips?

I've tried:
Posting service offerings on a few forums
Mandy
Craigslist

 

[ghosteater]

Quick (obvious) advice - in case you weren't aware - your reel is missing from your website (says it was removed). Not sure if you knew or not, but might as well mention in case not

 

[RickyC]

I started working on set 2 years ago now, before it really started with those voluntary/very low paid jobs, but its reached the point that It's all word of mouth (which I'm sure its what the big leagues area too). Now I make a decent living, and I just sit at home and wait for someone to call. Jump in the truck and drive off. Of course I still do voluntary gigs and low paid ones (some just for fun, some to network, and other to help a buddy in need). And I still often look out for crew calls.

The limit of it stopping and getting serious, is when producers and other crew members are calling you, not when you are calling people.

Good luck

 

[RyanT]

Have you met any Gaffers or DP's that you've respected and thought were great guys? Give them a call and tell them you want to work as a camera PA, or as a Grip or Electric. Don't ask if the DP is looking for a gaffer or 1st AC, or if the gaffer needs a best boy. They probably don't really know you and won't trust that sort of responsibility to someone who calls them out of the blue. Once you work with them once though, they'll quickly figure out where you stand in the world, that first job is almost like an interview. Ask them if it's okay if you keep checking in with them and then call them every week or so. Be persistent, never say no to anything, and soon you'll get a job.

On that job you should be the best you can. If you don't know how to do something or what something is, ask. At the end of the day get everyone's contact info that you worked with. So either all the camera assistants or all the G/E crew. Now you should have 3 or 4 more people that you can add to that list of people you call every week. Keep doing this until you're too busy working to make the calls. Boom! You're in!

This is how I got started. It's paid my rent, got me into the union, and has bought me many fancy toys. Just all about that network.

EDIT:

Just my last advice is you're never too good for the freebie, just the caliber of the freebie gets better. I've been dayplaying for free on this feature that Bill Pope's gaffer has been shooting...I would have had to work a lot harder to get on set with this guy if I was getting paid, but now that I know him and I have my card, I can keep in touch with him and hopefully get on that big show when it comes around. Again, network!

 

[David W. Jones]

In case you hadn't noticed, jobs are hard to find everywhere. Tons of people are unemployed and looking for work. And the field of work you are interested in "professional filmmaking" is not doing too well.

 

[colebennett]

Hey Michael,

I just noticed you're from Oakville. I'm only an hour and a half away, up in Orillia. We should grab a coffee sometime!

I'm a full time photographer (by that, I mean I spend my weeks either shooting, editing, working on my business systems, marketing, or learning - and its how I earn a living.) I'm digging away at learning video at the moment, and have got some paid work on that end too.

I'd imagine getting good work in film is a lot like getting good work in photography: It's who you know. Not only that, but as Ryan T pointed out, it's about contacting those people and staying in touch.

I try my best to look for patterns. For example, a few years back my old baseball coach called me up and asked me to take some pictures for him. He was in marketing at the time. I did the job, he liked the work. Then, two months later he got hired on as Economic Development Advisor for the city. He called me up and hired me to take pictures for the city - an ongoing project. Somewhere in there I told him he was a great guy for me to be connected with, and I asked him if he knew anyone else who did kind of the same things as him (I was comfortable asking him this by this point). He gave the name of another lady in town. I called her up, showed her my work. Two months later she asked me to quote a job. I didn't get the job, due to budget constraints. Another few months went by and she called me up and asked me to quote another job. That job ended up being around $7,000 worth of work over the following months.

Honestly, I'd stay away from Craigslist and Kijiji. Those sites are for quick transactions - and people who want screaming deals. That's just my experience.

I don't hesitate to email a link to my latest project to people I've only met once, briefly. If I think they may have clients who would want what I provide, I send it! It's surprising how quickly one thing leads to the next.

I'm not sure if that all translates directly from what your looking for, but maybe there's something in there you can use.

P.S Check out my website, and drop me a line if you want to meet up some time: www.colebennett.com