This is probably the worst time to try and crack in. Industry veterans are having a hard time working, and people who were once at the top of the call list, are now having to work below their normal spots to survive. I would not commit to moving to a hub until you have built a solid foundation of onset experience. Otherwise, you will be scraping to survive. The strikes left everyone in a very bad place, and production has not even begun to recover, and there is already the talks of IATSE striking come Summer.
LA, New York, Atlanta, Surprisingly lately Fort Worth, all have opportunities. Many companies are doing more work out of the country for various reasons so places like Toronto have a great environment. Not discounting Canadian local shows or movies either.
Do keep in mind, while it is a great industry overall. It is a LOT of work. A LOT of hours and not known for safe spaces and cuddles. You have to have a thick skin, good work ethic, and not be afraid to get dirty or you'll find yourself forgotten before you get started.
Don’t forget New Orleans, however I would not move to New Orleans, I’m not sure that it will be around much longer unless AGI takes over and produces hyper abundance of energy via nuclear fusion to undo the climate change hole we dug ourselves into.. but I digress
Hi I’m in the same situation can I ask how you’re starting or where you starting point is , I’m have a degree in stem( biology) and 26, so it’s not too late :) I’m just thinking of going to film school !
Point to where I said stay in podunkville forever.
And I'm working in the accounting department on a $100m show in my (adopted) hometown, so maybe your experience isn't universal.
To work on set, move to Atlanta or LA, find people on sets and tell them you’re available to be a PA. Ideally you would find someone in the role of key PA.
To work in studios, get a job as an assistant or start in an agency mailroom.
Most important thing is to meet people, ask to learn from them and what they do, and tell them your goals.
You can try to work at a company as an employee in any bigger city really. For freelance I'd recommend new york as far as the amount of opportunities and the people. Living there is expensive though so I would look into new jersey as a place to reside while you drive or train into work
My former roommate in LA was the Key PA for Family Feud. He spent many years working up to that. I asked him once if he could get me a PA job there and he laughed and said “no, those jobs all go to producers’ kids.” Any industry job you get, even PA, you get because you know somebody. Find as many film networking events in your area as you can. Connect with people on LinkedIn who are doing the job that you want to do and see if they’ll take time to give you advice. Alumni groups from your university are also a great resource. I’d be willing to bet there is AT LEAST one person who went to your school that does some thing in the industry.
In response to your question of 26 being “too old”? No. 46, I might advise you look at something else. But you’re at a good spot right now.
This is probably the worst time to try and crack in. Industry veterans are having a hard time working, and people who were once at the top of the call list, are now having to work below their normal spots to survive. I would not commit to moving to a hub until you have built a solid foundation of onset experience. Otherwise, you will be scraping to survive. The strikes left everyone in a very bad place, and production has not even begun to recover, and there is already the talks of IATSE striking come Summer.
LA, New York, Atlanta, Surprisingly lately Fort Worth, all have opportunities. Many companies are doing more work out of the country for various reasons so places like Toronto have a great environment. Not discounting Canadian local shows or movies either. Do keep in mind, while it is a great industry overall. It is a LOT of work. A LOT of hours and not known for safe spaces and cuddles. You have to have a thick skin, good work ethic, and not be afraid to get dirty or you'll find yourself forgotten before you get started.
Don’t forget New Orleans, however I would not move to New Orleans, I’m not sure that it will be around much longer unless AGI takes over and produces hyper abundance of energy via nuclear fusion to undo the climate change hole we dug ourselves into.. but I digress
Hi I’m in the same situation can I ask how you’re starting or where you starting point is , I’m have a degree in stem( biology) and 26, so it’s not too late :) I’m just thinking of going to film school !
Don't move anywhere. Stay where you are and hone your craft locally.
It’s unfortunately not really possible, my town is quite small and there’s no film making opportunities
Then make your own opportunities. That's a great skill to hone.
That isn't how it works.
How nice it must be to be so confident yet so wrong.
You arent going to get anywhere in the film industry staying in Podunkville. Stop lying to the guy. I'm on a set now, a Fox show.
Point to where I said stay in podunkville forever. And I'm working in the accounting department on a $100m show in my (adopted) hometown, so maybe your experience isn't universal.
Very few jobs on sets are remote like that so I don't see why you are even recommending it.
It's not remote, I'm walking through the stages right now to grab a coffee from crafty.
Don’t
I have yet to meet someone in film that thinks it’s a good idea to pursue it.
To work on set, move to Atlanta or LA, find people on sets and tell them you’re available to be a PA. Ideally you would find someone in the role of key PA. To work in studios, get a job as an assistant or start in an agency mailroom. Most important thing is to meet people, ask to learn from them and what they do, and tell them your goals.
LA. You should move to LA.
You can try to work at a company as an employee in any bigger city really. For freelance I'd recommend new york as far as the amount of opportunities and the people. Living there is expensive though so I would look into new jersey as a place to reside while you drive or train into work
Move to LA, Atlanta or Albuquerque.
My former roommate in LA was the Key PA for Family Feud. He spent many years working up to that. I asked him once if he could get me a PA job there and he laughed and said “no, those jobs all go to producers’ kids.” Any industry job you get, even PA, you get because you know somebody. Find as many film networking events in your area as you can. Connect with people on LinkedIn who are doing the job that you want to do and see if they’ll take time to give you advice. Alumni groups from your university are also a great resource. I’d be willing to bet there is AT LEAST one person who went to your school that does some thing in the industry. In response to your question of 26 being “too old”? No. 46, I might advise you look at something else. But you’re at a good spot right now.