Four Online Tools You Can Use to Find A Job in the Film Industry
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While building relationships through an internship can sometimes lead to a job, there are really no guarantees in any industry. And that’s okay! When you’re in doubt, just remember the tired and true saying we’ve all heard before:
“There is no right way to get a job in the film industry.”
But just because there’s no “right way” doesn’t mean there aren’t accessible job-seeking tools. Across all industries, Facebook and other sites have become popular for candidate research amongst hirers.
Today we’ll be looking at using online tools to find a job as a junior, senior, recent college grad or any 20-something looking to work in film.
The following list was curated based on several interviews with young filmmakers, as well as my own research.
Whether you’re looking for a full-time position at a talent agency, a freelance gig on a film production or anything in between, these online tools can be a way to break in and building relationships.
(1) The UTA Job List
Kinds of Jobs You Can Find: Assistant positions at big and small talent agencies, studios, production houses and management companies. Jobs encompass areas such as management, marketing, production and public relations.
Where to Access: The job list can usually be accessed through your school’s career center, and it doesn’t hurt to ask for it (even if you’ve already graduated).
How You Can Use it Effectively: Think of the job list as a starting point for your research. See if you can find the hiring manager on LinkedIn, and look for any mutual connections that can help pass your resume along. If you can find an email on LinkedIn or a portfolio site, reach out to them directly.
(2) Facebook Groups
Kinds of Jobs You Can Find: Production related jobs such as PA, gaffer, coordinator, editor, stylist or sound technician.
How You Can Use it Effectively: Join groups that are relevant to your location, whether that be Los Angeles, New York or another city you want to work in. If you are asked for your rate of pay, do some basic research on the rates of others located in your city.
Groups You Can Join: Production Freelancers (multi-city), Paid Film Jobs LA and Production Resource Group are some examples.
(3) Entertainment Specific Job Sites
Kinds of Jobs You Can Find: Assistant and upper-level jobs across many facets of the industry, such as casting, crew jobs, development, festivals and post-production.
How You Can Use it Effectively: Join groups that are relevant to your location, whether that be Los Angeles, New York or another city you want to work in. If you are asked for your rate of pay, do some basic research on the rates of others located in your city.
Sites You Can Visit: Entertainment Careers, Staff Me Up and ProductionHUB are some examples. Note that some have a monthly membership fee, but many postings can be found on free sites.
(4) LinkedIn
Kinds of Jobs You Can Find: Administrative and management jobs across established companies in the entertainment industry.
How You Can Use it Effectively: Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date with your latest job experience, work samples or even a link to your portfolio site. Use the “Jobs” tab to search for specific position titles in your location, and LinkedIn will update with recommended postings based on your searches.
(!!) Extra Tips
Make a list of companies you are inspired by for safe keeping. Keep adding to that list, even if you already have a job. If you’re looking for a job or internship, use any of the following tools to see if companies on your list have open positions at any given time.
A cold email or DM on LinkedIn (or Instagram) can be a great way to ask someone at that company for career advice or let them know you are inspired by their work. If you get your hands on an email, do some research on them and try to make a connection before you ask for anything. For example, you could mention an article they wrote in the past, or even a mutual connection!
Click here if you have any tips for young job-seekers!
