By Nick Smith
Movies entertain us and distract us from life’s troubles. Behind the scenes, however, crew members are working long hours to create these happy distractions. If you like the idea of putting your blood, sweat and years into film production, there are many ways to get started, from making your own projects to offering your services as a production assistant (PA), doing the grunt work on set.
I worked with PA Lemuel McDaniel on a feature-length western in 2020. He recently asked me, ‘how can I get more into the film industry?’ Lemuel is diligent and curious and he wants to build a career making movies. So, what should his next step be?
Since Lemuel has already worked on a feature film, my first suggestion is for him to offer his services on film hiring sites. StaffMeUp is a production hiring site that has been around since 2012. It has a connective aspect, since members can vouch for each other and find colleagues with a ‘reference checker.’
He could also hop on Production Hub, which has been around a little longer (since 1999). Although the Hub has over half a million users its slogan is, ‘the industry’s best kept secret.’ It’s another site where crew can post their skills and look for work.
Producers visit sites like StaffMeUp, Production Hub and Mandy.com when they’re hiring for a gig. But those sites are for skilled workers – what if you need to grow those skills and make yourself more hireable?
More and more filmmakers are training themselves online, as the number of websites and videos increases. From filmmaking 101s to editing tutorials, you can get as general or specific as you want in your self-education. I recommend starting with the broader aspects and then focusing on a production role that interests you, such as camerawork or lighting.
For a deeper understanding of film, nothing beats a hands-on film course, whether it’s a weekend workshop or a college degree. When I got started as a filmmaker in the 1990s, production degrees were few and far between. The screenwriting course I took was only in its second year. But now you are spoiled for choice if you want to study filmmaking. We’re lucky to have Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts in Tallahassee; it was recently rated number 15 in The Hollywood Reporter’s ranking of film schools. Alumni include Academy award-winners and Marvel movie producers.
Another way to get practical experience is to help with a film made for passion instead of profit. There are filmmakers across the region who want to practice their craft or simply tell a story without waiting for big budget investors. Like the education route, this is a handy way to network and show how useful you can be. The Emerald Coast Filmmakers Facebook page is a good starting point if you want to know about upcoming projects, and each state has its own film community on social media.
As I told Lemuel, there are many paths to choose. Whatever you decide, do it as humbly and professionally as possible. You never know who you might be working with, and what their next big project might be.
