Finding jobs after graduating film school? Whether you’ve completed our 3-day Video Production Course for Beginners, or a degree at a tertiary institution, finding work in film, tv or video after graduating can be a daunting task.
In this article, we’ll share 9 ways in which you can help nail your first few gigs, whether you want to work as a production assistant, camera operator, sound recordist, or something in between.
Volunteer Jobs on Independent Productions
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Independent productions always need passionate and dedicated crew members that are fresh from graduating from film school, and volunteering your time can be a great way to get your foot in the door and learn from experienced professionals and work with talented peers. Look for opportunities to volunteer on independent productions through film festivals, local film organisations, or by networking with industry professionals.
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Intern Jobs at a Production House
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Many production houses offer internships to students and recent graduates, which can be paid or unpaid. Internships offer a valuable opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and get a behind-the-scenes look at how a production house operates. You can find internships through your education institutions’ career centre, online job boards, or by networking with industry professionals.
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Apply for a Production Attachment Program
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Many organizations and industry groups offer production attachment programs specifically for graduates who are new to the industry and only have limited experience. One example is the production attachment program offered by the Australian Cinematographer’s Society. These programs are a great way to get hands-on experience and make connections in the industry. To apply contact the branch in your state to enquire when the next intake is. |
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Funding or Development your own Projects
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Funding and producing your own film or video is a very productive way to gain experience and build your portfolio. You can use crowdfunding platforms or apply for grants or funding from film organisations to help cover the costs of your project. Even if the only equipment you own is a mobile phone, you can still be creating engaging content which you can publish to a worldwide audience through online platforms such as YouTube and Vimeo. You can start with social media videos leveraging current trending sounds and music tracks; write and produce a mock scene for actors looking for exposure and experience, or invite your family to sit down and be interviewed as part of a documentary. |
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Contact Film Production Agencies
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If you’re interested in working in a creative role on a film or TV set or professional corporate video production, reach out to production agencies to see if they have any openings for junior creative staff. Decision-makers at agencies never fail to be impressed by someone who has made the effort of dressing professionally and knocking on their physical door. The chances of one of them having a suitable role for you at the time are very slim, but once you’ve made yourself known to them they will remember your face when you follow up with them in a few month’s time or consider you for a role when a suitable one does become available. |
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Finding Jobs on LinkedIn
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LinkedIn is a great tool that allows you to connect with professionals and companies in the industry that you wouldn’t ordinarily have access to. A professional networking platform, LinkedIn allows you to connect with people and organizations in your field of interest which can be helpful in landing you a job or at least getting your name and face on the radar of potential employers. On LinkedIn you can showcase your skills and experience: LinkedIn allows you to create a profile that highlights your education, work experience, and skills. This can help you stand out to potential employers and demonstrate your qualifications for a particular job. |
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LinkedIn is great for finding jobs in specific industries or locations: LinkedIn has a built-in job search function that allows you to search for jobs by industry, location, and other criteria. This can make it easier to find relevant job openings and tailor your job search to your specific goals. And if you can afford it, invest in LinkedIn’s Premium service which gives you a whole new level of communication that you can utilise in order to reach out and connect with prospective employers and other industry professionals in your field.
Another great aspect of this global platform is that it facilitates networking with others in the industry: LinkedIn can be a great place to make connections with people already working in the film, television, and video industries. These connections can be a valuable resource for finding job openings, learning about new opportunities, and getting advice on your career.
You can also receive job recommendations: If you have connections in the industry who are familiar with your work and skills, they may be able to recommend you for job openings that they come across. This can be a helpful way to get your name in front of potential employers and increase your chances of finding work.
Finding Jobs on StarNow
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StarNow is a website that connects actors, models, and other creative professionals with casting directors, agents, and other industry professionals. Here are some benefits of using StarNow for finding paid and voluntary jobs on independent film and television productions: With a StarNow account, you can create a professional profile that showcases your skills, experience, and portfolio of work. This can help you stand out to potential employers and demonstrate your qualifications for a particular job.
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StarNow is probably THE best platform for young and emerging filmmakers and content creators to find paid and voluntary jobs: StarNow lists a wide range of paid and voluntary jobs in the film, television, and modeling industries, including independent productions. You can browse and apply for these jobs directly through the website.
It allows you to network with industry professionals via its large community of actors, models, and other creative professionals, as well as casting directors, agents, and other industry professionals. Connecting with these people can be a valuable resource for finding job openings, learning about new opportunities, and getting advice on your career.
Whenever new jobs are posted that match your skills and interests you’re immediately notified, which saves you time and helps you stay up to date on new opportunities.
StarNow also provides general advice on how to succeed in the industry, and resources of which can be very helpful for those looking to break into the industry.
Finding Jobs on Mandy
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Mandy.com is a website that, much like StarNow, connects actors, crew, and other industry professionals with job opportunities in the film, television, and theater industries. Here are five benefits of using Mandy.com to find paid work opportunities in film, TV, and video production: Mandy.com lists a wide range of paid job opportunities including acting, crew, and production positions, all of which you can browse and apply for directly through the website. |
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Its large community of industry professionals and insiders that you can potentially connect with can be a valuable resource for finding job openings, learning about new opportunities, and getting advice on your career.
It’s also a good idea to create a professional profile on the platform so you can create a profile that showcases your skills, experience, and portfolio of work. This can help you stand out to potential employers and demonstrate your qualifications for a particular job.
It provides resources for actors and other creative professionals including tips and advice on how to succeed in the industry and allows you to receive job alerts that will notify you when new jobs are posted that match your experience.
Getting a Job Interview with a Film Production Agency
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Maybe your interest lies in corporate video production, and you have your sights set on working with a particular production agency. In this case, you will first want to create a strong resume and cover letter. These are often the first point of contact with a potential employer, so it’s important to make a good impression. Make sure to highlight your relevant skills, experience, and education, and tailor your materials to the specific job or agency you are applying to, and if you’re a budding shooter or editor, make sure you’re reel is looking sharp and is up to date. If your current reel is older than 2 years prospective employers might think that you haven’t got any recent examples of your work. |
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Your reel or portfolio is one of your most powerful selling points when it comes to getting the attention of decision-makers at video production agencies. This can include examples of videos you have produced, or other relevant projects that showcase your skills and abilities.
Networking is an invaluable strategy when it comes to making industry connections, and ultimately a job in the industry. Whether you are graduating soon, or are a graduate who is actively looking for opportunities in film tv or video, connecting with people already working in the industry can be a great way to learn about job openings and get your foot in the door with potential employers. Attend industry events, join professional organisations, and make connections with people in the field.
Use job search websites and resources: There are many websites and resources that list job openings in the video production industry. Look for opportunities on sites like ProductionList, Media Match, and LinkedIn, and be sure to check the websites of various production agencies and companies as well, as some agencies will also advertise their upcoming opportunities on their website as well.
Ensure you tailor your job application to the specific agency: When applying for a job with a video production agency, it’s important to tailor your application to the specific company or agency you are applying to. Research the company’s style and focus, and highlight your skills and experience that align with their needs.
And if you only take away one bit of advice from this section: make sure you do the research to find out who to address your application or canvassing letter to, or who to ask for if you decide to enquire in person. Using a generic term like ‘hiring manager’ or ‘Director’ will significantly diminish your chances of standing out from the crowd should an opportunity come up.
