How To Find a Job In The TV And Movies Industry
Working in the exciting world of TV and movies is a dream career for many aspiring professionals. With its glitz, glamour, and exciting opportunities, it’s no wonder that so many people are eager to find a job in this dynamic field.
Whether you’re an aspiring actor, writer, producer, set designer. or thinking of a career doing language subtitle work, finding a job in the TV and movie industry can be exciting but also highly competitive and challenging due to its competitiveness.
In this article, we teamed up with experts from job aggregator Jooble to explore some essential steps to take to increase your chances of success in landing your dream job in the TV and movies industry. So, grab your popcorn, and let’s dive in!
1. Identify your interests and skills
It goes without saying that the TV and movie industry is extremely diverse, made up of actors, writers, directors, producers, sound engineers, makeup artists, set builders, camera operators… the list goes on and on.
With so many different roles available in the industry, you need to figure out where you fit in. Are you hoping to get into TV or movies? Do you want to be on the creative side of things (acting, writing, costume designing etc.), or the technical side (behind the camera, sound technician etc.)?
Knowing where you’re heading will help you focus on the opportunities that fall in line with your particular skill set. Once you know where you’re going, put on those blinkers like a racehorse and go for the winning line!
2. Build your portfolio or reel
Whatever type of job you’re going for, you’re going to need to sell yourself and your skills. And you do this with your portfolio or reel.
For example, if your heart is set on an acting career, you will need to have some professional headshots, plus a resume detailing your training and experience. If you want to be a scriptwriter, some sample scripts will go a long way to showing off what you’re capable of. In other words, the more detailed your portfolio, the better.
3. Find job opportunities
There are various ways to find jobs in the entertainment world. Here are some options:
- Websites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and Jooble often have job listings for various roles in the entertainment industry. Search for keywords like “TV jobs” or “movie jobs” to find listings.
- Entertainment industry websites such as Entertainment Careers and Variety Jobs.
- Job boards that cater specifically to the TV and movie industry, for example, ProductionHUB and Staff Me Up.
- If you’re feeling confident (and brave!) you can also contact production companies and studios direct to inquire about job openings.
4. Prepare thoroughly for auditions or interviews
In a nutshell, before an audition or an interview, prepare, prepare, prepare. Do your homework on the production beforehand to familiarize yourself with the show or movie. Have a copy of your resume ready, as well as any other materials you might need. If you’re trying out for an acting role, study the character before auditioning. If you’re interviewing for a job as a costume designer, have your portfolio of design sketches on hand. You get the picture.
5. Gain experience
No one starts at the top. Get your foot in the door with an entry-level job or an internship – even if you’re hired as a gofer! Think of it as a good opportunity to gain valuable experience. A menial entry-level role may not exactly be the dream job you were hoping for, but it’s the first wrung on the ladder to where you ultimately want to be. Besides, it will give you the opportunity to build some useful contacts, and valuable contacts in the entertainment industry count for a lot.
6. Dealing with rejection
Shooting for the stars often means facing rejection along the way – having the door slammed firmly in your face time and again.
Rejection is a hard pill to swallow, but take some comfort in knowing that you’re not the first or the only one – and certainly won’t be the last. The writer F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby etc.) papered his walls with the plethora of rejection slips he received from publishers. Did he give up? Nope. He took rejection in his stride, persevered, and went on to become one of the greatest American novelists of the 20th Century.
Final thoughts
It won’t be easy getting into the highly competitive world of TV and movies, but it’s a career well worth pursuing. With the right mindset – and the necessary talent – you will eventually get your foot in the door. So keep plugging away. Keep applying for jobs, keep auditioning. Keep refining your skills and building your portfolio – and, above all, keep your dream alive!