The film industry is infamously difficult to break into which serves to discourage most individuals who would like to attempt a job in films whether as an actor, as a technician or in management.

The film industry is actually fairly small and everyone at the top knows everyone else at the top. It can appear to operate like a secret society to anyone who is on the outside.

This is because networking is necessary in the film industry. When a producer begins to plan a film, he or she is more likely to pick people to work with, with whom he has worked and had success with before. Films are very expensive to make and no one wants to acquire a reputation as a loser.

Therefore, all the way down the line, individuals opt to work with known quantities. A producer wants a successful director whose work he likes; he wants famous box-office stars to act in his films; he wants a knowledgeable casting director and a skillful crew.

It is too hit-or-miss to advertise for these jobs in the Sunday papers, so somehow you have to get into the right individuals’ phone books if you want a career in the film industry..

Any post you see advertised openly is probably already secretly filled – the ad is merely there to comply with the regulations on equal opportunity – so do not get your hopes up if you apply.

You need experience and you need to get to know people who could help you. So, you will have to keep that in focus for the remainder of your working life – experience and contacts. With this in mind, endeavour to find a course that fits the hours and finances available to you. Learn something about acting, filming, lighting or sound, Anything, but something relevant.

Join the local amateur dramatic society and offer your skills whatever they are. You could also look for part time work at a local theatre or opera house. Offer to donate some time to the amateur operatic society. All of these people will know more than you and know people higher up than you and you never know who you will get to meet.

If you are able to join the students’ union, offer to help put on bands, help do the lighting or sound. Help with the photography, music and acting departments. Even helping organize dinner dances or prom nights will give you experience that you did not have.

Join a casting studio as an extra and take any part going. Be|willing to place bit-part acting before your normal day career even if it puts your finances under a strain. You may have to travel, so be prepared for that too.

Finally, offer to become a dog’s body on a set free of charge. Call it an internship if you like. This is a good way of getting your foot in the door if you have some savings.

All this is to gain experience and contacts not money and it will all go on you resume. Use every chance that you possibly can to be near the stage lights no matter which side of them you ultimately want to stand.

Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on lots of topics, but is at present concerned with professional studio photographers. If you have an interest in cameras, please go over to our website now at cameras Studio Cameras

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