4 Tips to Get Your Foot in the Film-Making Door

For as long as you can remember, you have dreamed of becoming a filmmaker. From the short movies you produced as a child that starred your stuffed animals and action figures to the thousands of hours you have spent in theaters watching hundreds of films, you would love nothing more than to be the next Steven Spielberg.

In order to help turn your film-making goals into reality, you need a definite plan and some solid tips. Check out the following ideas that can help you get your foot in the film-making door:

Earn a Film-Making Degree

One of the best ways to get into filmmaking is with a diploma, proving you have acquired the basic knowledge and skills to get started. A quick, online search of “film-making schools” brings up a variety of specific colleges and articles that list some of the top schools in the country. In addition to learning a great deal about your most beloved subject, film-making school is a great way to start working on your portfolio, which future employers will definitely want to see.

Consider an Apprenticeship

Another great way to get started working in filmmaking is through an internship. As Internships.com notes, the best time to apply for an internship is after you’ve earned your degree from a film school or have completed other film-making programs. Most film studios are looking for responsible and reliable people who can handle a great deal of work on their own. Internships can range from film editing and set design to producing films and more. Internships.com is a great resource to start looking for available internships that can give you some much-needed, hands-on experience in the field.

Secure Your Driver’s License

Young, aspiring filmmakers need more than a passion for movie making — they also need their driver’s license. Even if you plan on living and working in New York City, where a majority of people get by without a car, it’s still important to have your license. This way, you can audition and land films that involve a variety of shooting locations and plenty of traveling. In addition, if your first jobs are in the Big Apple, you will probably find yourself doing tons of last-minute errands for your supervisors, including picking up equipment. The last thing you want to say is “Uh, sorry, boss, I don’t have my license yet.”

To earn your driver’s license as quickly and easily as possible, spend some time reading up on the rules of the road on a reputable website like driving-tests.org, where you can focus your studying by state and take free New York state practice tests, all from the comfort of home.

Start at the Bottom

Speaking of entry-level jobs, Tribeca Flashpoint lists a variety of positions to help you get started in your film-making career. A set production assistant, for example, typically works long hours for little pay. But working in this position will also earn you invaluable experience while working alongside an established film crew, who can offer advice and networking opportunities. An office production assistant is also an ideal job for fledgling filmmakers. You can expect to work behind the scenes, attend meetings, and learn about pre-production deals.