5 Steps to Getting Discovered in the Film Industry
I would travel down to hell and wrestle a film from the devil if it was necessary.
-Werner Herzog
5 Steps to Getting Discovered in the Film Industry
Breaking into the film industry isn’t easy. Whether you’re an aspiring director, actor, or crew member, finding work and making a name for yourself takes time and effort. By signing up for a platform like FilmLocal, you can learn about new job opportunities early and virtually connect with lots of industry peers. Furthermore, these tips will help you get your foot in the door, from creating an official LLC to putting a demo reel or portfolio together.
Form an LLC For Your Business
Depending on your goals in the film industry, you may not need to establish your own business entity – but if you’re a director or you work behind the scenes, you might benefit from setting up an LLC. This business structure will open you up to lots of tax advantages, and you can rest assured that your personal finances will remain secure, even if your company runs into economic difficulties.
Rather than hiring a lawyer to handle the filing process for you, it’s a good idea to work with an online formation service. This is typically a less expensive option. To make sure you’re choosing a reputable service, take some time to read the reviews here first.
Network Extensively
Networking is an essential aspect of getting ahead in any industry. This is especially true if you want to work in a creative field like filmmaking. At first, networking can feel uncomfortable – but don’t give up right away because, like any other new skill, it gets much easier with time and practice. To make networking a regular part of your routine, FilmConnection recommends branching out beyond your current industry contacts and making an effort to meet the people they know – this is an easy way to expand your circle over time!
Promote Your Work On Social Media
Social media is an invaluable tool for any film industry professional. An actor or director might want to share samples of their work on YouTube, while a crew member wants to advertise their services on Instagram or Facebook so that they can land future projects. To effectively use social media, No Film School recommends following people in your industry niche, sharing different work on each platform for the sake of variety, and searching for in-person networking events in your area.
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Create A Portfolio or Demo Reel
Developing an impressive demo reel or portfolio is crucial for landing jobs in the film industry. You need a vehicle to illustrate your best work! You can host your portfolio or demo reel on your website. If you’re not sure what to include, ask people you’ve worked with for their opinions. Remember, social media also functions as an informal portfolio, so share snippets of work that you’re genuinely proud of!
Enter Contests
You might not think that your work would win a contest or earn a spot at a festival, especially if you’re just starting out in the industry – but you’ll never know what will happen if you don’t try! Start searching for contests and festivals that are currently open to entries, and send in work that just might wow the judges. Getting a spot in a festival lineup or winning a coveted award, can help you put yourself on the map. If you dream about working in the film industry, you need to get comfortable with self-promotion!
Time to Get Started!
Putting yourself out there can be tough, but this is the key to making your dreams come true. With these tips, you’ll be able to tackle everything from forming an LLC to entering film festivals and contests. Want to connect with other professionals in the film industry? It’s time to join FilmLocal! Sign up today to start networking and find your next job.
1 thought on “5 Steps to Getting Discovered in the Film Industry”
Hello: I’ve been reading up on cutting tax incentices for film, in NM! This was a huge issue in AZ years back and a few of us then formed our own army so to speak, to find ways to stop this from happening. As always, money issues lead to government. Speaking only for myself, I’ve never been on to say “well, ok then-thats how it is.” I’ve never been too good with complacency. There us a lot on the line with this issue and I feel there is more economical benefit to the state -those wanting to cut incentives are using one reason only. This is worth a few good discussions. All that said, I wanted to ask if Film Local had any need for help on this issue now or in the near future, in any way such as research, writing, meeting with other Film companies. I’d love an opportunity to help not only on this issue but wherever you have a need for assistance. I was a Paralegal 15 years before getting into filmmaking, doing crew work, acting and now Screenwriting. Thanks very much. Best-