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How to Land Your First Job out of Film School. Official contest entry in Howcast's How-To
Video Challenge by Flashpoint Academy. http://www.howcast.com/videochallenge You will need Resume Reel Local trade magazines
References Shower, razor, toothbrush, comb Business casual attire Self-confidence Perseverance
and no fear of success (optional). "90 percent of life is showing up." - *** Allen Step
1. Define what job you want. Do you want to work in development, production, post-production?
You must know what you want in order to get it. Step 2. Create a clear, concise resume.
Make sure grammar and spelling are perfect. Highlight skills that apply to your chosen
specialty. Step 3. Review and screen your projects. Choose high quality clips that represent
your body of work. Begin with your strongest material, choose moments that showcase your
specialty, and keep it under 5 minutes. Apply the skills you learned in film school and
edit the piece into a nifty little reel. Step 4. Search the places you’d like to work,
or what productions are currently in preproduction. See what’s out there, check the local trade
magazines, ads online and in print, follow up with every lead you hear of. No one ever
gets hired over the phone, or from a cover letter. You’ll only get a job after a good
face-to-face interview. Step 5. Shower, shave, and dress appropriately. Step 6. Network,
network, network. Attend events, panels, film festivals, anywhere you can meet people. Make
sure to get their contact information and leave yours. Drop off your resume in person
with the receptionist at the places you’d like to work. Let them know you just graduated
and ask if they have any job tips for you. Step 7. Follow up with your contacts. Make
cold calls to introduce yourself and your work, and use your best references. Meet the
deadlines for applications, never be late for an appointment. Offer to work for free
for a few days or weeks if you think it will help you get a foot in the door. Remember
the Latin Proverb: “Believe that you have it, and you have it.”