Blue Radio Design

The film industry is notoriously difficult to get into which serves to dishearten most people who would like to find a job in films whether as an actor, as a technician or in management.

The film industry is actually fairly small and everyone at the top knows everyone else at the top. It can appear to operate like a secret society to anyone who is on the outside.

This is because networking is crucial in the film industry. When a producer begins to plan a film, he or she is more likely to choose individuals to work with, with whom he has worked and had success with before. Films are very expensive to make and no one wants to acquire a reputation as a loser.

Therefore, all the way down the line, individuals opt to effort with known quantities. A producer wants a successful director whose work he likes; he wants well-known box-office stars to act in his films; he wants a knowledgeable casting director and a skillful crew.

It is too hit-or-miss to advertise for these jobs in the Sunday papers, so somehow you have to get into the right individuals' phone books if you want a career in the film industry..

Any post you see advertised openly is probably already secretly filled - the ad is merely there to comply with the regulations on equal opportunity - so do not get your hopes up if you apply.

You need experience and you have to get to know individuals who could be useful to you. So, you will have to hold that in focus for the rest of your working life - experience and contacts. With this in mind, strive to find a course that fits the hours and finances available to you. Learn something about acting, filming, lighting or sound, Anything, but something relevant.

Join the local amateur dramatic society and offer your skills whatever they are. You could also look for part time employment at a local theatre or opera house. Offer to contribute some time to the amateur operatic society. All of these individuals will know more than you and know individuals higher up than you and you never know who you will get to meet.

If you are able to join the students' union, offer to help put on bands, help do the lighting or sound. Help with the photography, music and acting departments. Even helping put on dinner dances or prom nights will give you experience that you did not have.

Join a casting studio as an extra and take any part going. Be|willing to place bit-part acting before your normal day job even if it puts your finances under a strain. You may have to travel, so be prepared for that as well.

Finally, offer to become a dog's body on a set free of charge. Call it an internship if you like. This is a good way of getting your foot in the door if you have some savings.

All this is to acquire experience and contacts not money and it can all go on you CV. Use each chance that you possibly can to get near the stage lights no matter which side of them you eventually want to stand.