If you’re interested in breaking into the film industry, you want to create content or to become a part of something big, you need to be accepted in the business. How can you achieve this goal?
You need acquaintances and not just random people, but those who are related to the industry.
You need to create a network, and it’s going to be easier for you to find yourself a job in the industry and to become successful and well-known or even famous in certain circles.
In this article, you will find some ideas that can help you to create this network. But you need to understand that it will take a while before you have a network that will help you in achieving your goals.
Tips And Ideas To Create A Network
All famous people that are somehow related to the filming industry were not always popular or well-known.
Of course, some of them have entered the industry due to lucky encounters, but others had to work hard to create a network of useful people.
Even when a person is recognized by some representatives of the industry, they still have to work on their network.
It’s a never-ending process when you have to meet new people who share similar interests.
It’s a great opportunity since you can meet interesting people and they can help you in achieving your goals.
But first, you need to work on this network so it will benefit you. Below you will find some universal tips that will help you to get started.
Attending Events
As you might have already understood, events have to be related to the filming industry. If you are an actor and you plan on becoming successful, don’t stick with only actors.
It’s great when you have friends who understand you and share your desire to create something new and significant. But the actors don’t make the decisions concerning the cast.
Usually, directors or scenarists have their visions upon who should depict each character in the film.
If you attend such events where filmmakers communicate with each other, it’s more likely that you will become successful. So attending events in the first step to starting your filmmaking career.
When there is a new project, it’s more likely that your new friend will think about you and will invite you for an audition. Try using Facebook as a start, but then you will have to be aware of other specific events.
You can seek such events as Q&A events (questions and answers), surprisingly, but directors and writers attend them. Screening events, charity, presentations, etc. Do the research and try to participate in diverse activities so that your circle will be expanded.
Follow Industry Professionals On Social Networks
Today, almost any director, producer, writer, etc., have a Twitter, Instagram, Facebook account. If you want to know the latest news about the industry, follow these people. You might only follow at first, but later you can try to communicate with them directly.
It’s possible that you might get invited for the audition through personal mail, so don’t hesitate and plan your communication.
Even if you don’t manage to engage with them directly, you will be aware of the latest news. You can find out about upcoming events where people from the industry meet.
And as it was mentioned in the previous tip, you can create your network by attending such events.
By following these accounts on a social network, you can find out about upcoming auditions. You can show up there and get your part in the movie.
Show Interest
People love to be special. How can you make someone feel special? Show your enthusiasm. It’s easy, ask about a person’s experience in the field, what factors influenced him or her so that this person has decided to become who he is, etc.
You can ask about the time when he was studying to become a professional – most people love sharing these memories since usually, they are positive.
Try to find out more about this person, show genuine interest in what he is doing or what are his interests. But try to find a balance and don’t be too annoying. You need to show genuine interest, but you need to do it naturally.
So, don’t just ask questions, engage a person into a meaningful conversation. Add your opinion if you have something to say. Excellent networking skills are very important for having a successful career in the film industry.
Meet People In Non-industry Settings
You have to attend professional events as it was mentioned in the first tip. But you also can meet someone outside of your professional environment.
It is considered to be more natural when you meet professionals from your industry in a more relaxed atmosphere. You might be buying attending the same gym as a movie director, or you can have a neighbor related to the filming industry, etc.
If that is not your case, be strategic. You’ve read in the second tip that it’s best to follow professionals on social networks. Find out about their hobbies and whether they attend some classes. If you gain such information, you can make a move.
It’s not stalking, and it’s actually your job. Your success depends on people you know, so it’s best to use all legal tricks to meet useful people.
Be Useful
When your network is expanding, help people from your network. Most people don’t like individuals who only take but not give. If you expect people to help you, you need to do the same for them.
For instance, your friend’s director is looking for an actor who will fit into his movie. Help him out, introduce your friend actor who might fit.
If someone you know is looking for a good doctor, ask your friends whether they know someone who is a great professional. Be useful and solve people’s issues, then they will return you their favors.
Don’t Disappear From The Radar
If you meet people, establish a friendship with them, build your website, do not disappear and reappear only when you need something.
Stay in touch, be aware of the recent news, don’t forget to send out birthday cards or at least don’t forget to send a message with your best wishes via Facebook or Twitter.
But that is not enough. Be aware of each significant event, in this case, following your new friends in a social network is essential.
If someone released a movie, congratulate this person. If someone becomes a father or a mother, congratulate them. But a social network is not enough, meet people in person. Even if you have a very busy schedule, find time to meet with these people.
It’s a good idea to start scheduling your time. You can use a simple notebook or calendar with “to do” lists, or you can use your tablet/phone/PC. That way you can be more organized, and you will see when you have free time.
The calendar is crucial if your network is growing. You must be very careful, so you won’t forget to meet someone. It’s rude to set up a meet-up and to forget to attend it.
You can also be polite and to write a message or make a call so that the person with whom you are going to meet will confirm that he or she will be able to come.
Consistency Is A Virtue
Perhaps, in the traditional perception, consistency has nothing to do with virtues, but in this case, you must be consistent. This rule derives from the previous ones – you have to stay in touch with people.
But it’s also very important to be consistent, which means that you need to communicate with people regularly.
It doesn’t imply that you have to message or call everyone from your network every day. But you have to check them regularly, for instance, every two months or so.
People are busy, and they also might not have time, so it’s totally enough to get in touch every several months. Good thing that we have accounts on social networks, so don’t forget to check the news.
On special occasions, it’s best to congratulate people for their achievements. You can also check on your new friends, communicate with them, and once in a while, meet in person.
Film Industry Relationships & Networking – Conclusion
You need to understand that you can’t create your filming network in one day, week, or even a year. It takes a while, and you have to work on your network for the rest of your life or career.
The advantage of such work is that you not only boost your acting career, but you also meet new people. If you are an extrovert and can’t imagine your life without communication, this task is for you.
Another advantage of building your network is that you get more organized in disciplined.
You have to be aware of everything important that is happening within your network, and the fact that you have to meet with other people and plan your schedule helps you in becoming organized.
Building a network is not as difficult as you might think, but it is a time-consuming task. So, you better start right now, and after a while, you will see the first positive results.
Cheryl Hearts is a passionate journalist from Boston, Massachusetts. She decided to dedicate her life to writing because she thinks this way she can be the most useful for the community. After obtaining a Master’s degree in Journalism, Cheryl started running her own blog CherylHearts.com where she’s covering topics of great interest to society.
