I honestly believe that the Film and TV industry is that hardest to get into. I spent a good decade trying to achieve my dream getting into this industry. So I want to make it easier for anyone else who is struggling by a few simple tips I’ve learned along the way.
A bit about my journey…
Like most people, I spoke to my careers councilor at school and she told me to get a degree in it, then I’ll get a job “easy peasy”. Worst advice ever. I wish I had someone or knew someone in the industry who could give me some honest and proper advice!
I got a degree in TV Production Management in 2010 and couldn’t get a job anywhere. Most of the TV jobs were down in London and I was in the North. MediaCity was still being built I believe (I know I’m showing my age now!).
I got a graduate placement in a sport travel company after uni and worked in Travel for 10 years. I kept applying for Film and TV jobs that whole time and couldn’t get anything. I was made redundant in 2015 and made a move to London for another travel job but I also did it so I could have more of a chance for these London jobs with a closer postcode.
Whilst working in London, I had a friend get me some volunteer work with Universal. I met some great people and helped put relate experience on my CV. I loved every minute and loved working with the team. I even had 2 interviews for a job but just missed out every time. I needed more “experience”.
Unfortunately, my travel company closed down and I was made redundant again in October 2019. I took the money and went travelling around Asia, Australia and New Zealand. However, when the pandemic hit it cut my trip short before I made it to Australia and NZ, so I had to make my way home. I spent 18 month unemployed as 10 years in travel was useless and there were zero jobs in my industry. This gave me a kick up the butt to try again and use my degree.
The Universal Credit team put me in touch with a back to work company. I told them “I’d love to work in film/TV” and they helped me speak to someone in TV Production, helped me with my CV and cover letter. She gave me excellent advice and added me into all these Facebook groups to help me get a job.
I saw an urgent job posting in one of these Facebook groups for a Production Secretary near my town and applied for the job. The Production Coordinator rang me the next day and I got the job. I’ll always be grateful to that Production Coordinator for giving me a chance, showing me the ropes and giving me my first shot in the industry.
That’s why I want to help more people like me get their dream job. I know the struggle! Here’s some way you can get into the industry:
University/College connections or guest lecturers
If you’re like me and you were told to get a degree, here’s something you need to hear. While you’re at Uni, MAKE CONNECTIONS. This wasn’t explained very well or loudly enough while I was at University.
Your classmates might become your colleagues or your supervisors. Make friends with the years above and below too. They could be the ones employing you. Only 2 people from my class actually got a job straight out of university (that I’m aware of). Why? They knew someone in the industry already and the other was from speaking to the guest lecturer. The rest of the class struggled. So don’t burn your bridges! Make friends and connections.
You’ll hopefully have some guest lecturers during your time at University. Most will be within the industry, so get to know them. And most importantly, always carry a CV on you or ask if you can send them your CV. They might have some runner jobs free. Get your credits when you can!
Here’s some harsh truth a Production Manager told me once:
“A degree in TV/Film means f*** all here. We value experience!”
ANONYMOUS Production manager
And it’s so true! I learned more in a few weeks on my first production that 3 years at University. So make those connections. Use LinkedIn, Facebook etc to stay in touch. Pay off that loan!
Internships or Work experience
I was lucky enough to get some work experience with Universal Pictures. I was also accepted into the BBC work experience program for BBC Sounds but this was unfortunately cancelled due to the pandemic.
Work Experience is really hard and competitive to get your hands on, but it’s so valuable and totally worth it. However, the pay is awful in some places, so brace yourself and have some savings to get you through.
Most film and TV companies do work experience programs now. The best thing to do it go on all the company websites and sign up for their email alerts. Also, follow them or their career accounts on social media. Then, you won’t miss out on any opportunities.
Ensure you check out the terms of the experience though. Some programs are have an age limits and some have conditions about if you’re at uni or not. Very frustrating sometimes.
Through a friend or family member
You have to know someone in the industry to get into the industry. Sound familiar?
Not true. Well not 100% true. Yes, knowing someone in the industry (as I’ve mentioned before) really does help. But it’s not the only way.
However, if you do know someone in the industry, take advantage of it. Putting in a good word for you, or asking them for a job or referring you for a job will help you get into the industry, but it’s up to you to stay in it. How? By working your butt off, being professional and not letting them down!
If you let them down, it looks badly on them and can effect them in future jobs too. No pressure.
Get a job via a contracted company
Some of the crew work for companies who are hired onto the production. These are typically grips, electricians (aka Sparks), catering, stunts, action vehicles, traffic management, security, transport and facilities to name a few.
So you don’t get hired directly from the production. You work for a different company who get hired for the job and they bring their team. So if you want to work in one of the areas above, best to contact companies in that field to get on their books, not productions.
Talent Pools
Personally, I’ve not had a great experience with talent pools. I’ve been accepted into two talent pools with a TV broadcaster and both experience didn’t land me a job.
They’re a collection of individuals that go through an application process and when they need someone for a production, they select someone from that pool so they don’t have to do the whole interview/application process again.
The last time, I had to do a group zoom interview and I felt out of my league. I honestly felt that Talent pools were entry level. That’s what they’re supposed to be. But everyone in there had YEARS of TV production assistant level experience. It put me off entering them again.
A few companies still do this process so don’t take my bad experience as fact for all of them. Have a go and you never know, it might turn out differently for you.
You’ll find talent pools on companies career pages. Keep an eye on their social media accounts for updates.
Facebook Groups
This is my favourite way to find a Film or TV job. I actually wish I new about these a lot earlier than I did. Would have gotten me into the industry a lot quicker. I got my 1st, 2nd and 3rd job all from these Facebook groups! They’re a great way to see what jobs are available in your area. You have to have some experience to get into some of theses groups, and maybe answer some entry questions to gain access. Remember to read the rules!
Here’s a few of my favorite Film & TV Facebook groups:
- TV Production Coordinators UK (Only if you’re interested in the Production team)
- Northern Freelance TV Production Staff (Northern UK crew only)
- Film & TV Production Crew UK (UK only)
- People in TV: Northern England (Northern UK crew only)
- People in TV: Runners (Runners only)
- TV and Film Jobs (UK only)
- TV Talent North (Northern UK crew only)
If you’re not in the UK, just type “tv jobs (your country or city)” into facebook search and they will probably be a group for it.
Become an SA
If you only fancy a coupe of days here or there, want to sample what it’s like on set, or interested in acting maybe? Then becoming an SA (supporting actor) could be something you might be interested in.
Films and TV shows need SAs for various background scenes. It might be something as simple as making a scene look busier (e.g. walking across a scene, town centers, drinking in a pub, etc). Or you might be needed to look like you work there. I’ve done a few crime dramas now where the SAs were policemen and women. So you can pretend to be a copper for the day! Even play with fake weapons etc.
It can be really fun, a great job to learn more about productions, and even get your foot in the door by meeting the right people. But the hours can be very long compared to normal jobs. Lots of waiting around till the director needs you. Just be prepared and bring something to help you pass the time (e.g book).
Here’s a few UK SA agencies:
Join FREE job websites
There’s lots of Free TV production websites you can join which have job notice boards and newsletter updates for job roles. That way you’re never missing out on a great job.
Some great companies big and small post on these too.
Here’s a few sites that I was signed up to or still have a gander at from time to time:
There are more out there. Remember most of these are free. Don’t pay for any!
Drop off your CV
Trying to get a job today is typically all about online forms and applications. Getting a job in production isn’t like that. It’s not like any other industry when it comes to applying for a job. Sometimes, you need to think outside the box.
Remember back in the day, when you used to print off your CV and go round all the shops to try and get a job. Someone actually did that on a job a few months ago. Genius!
They saw the unit base, which is basically a lot of white trailers and asked the security guard if they could drop off their CV. I passed it onto production and I think they got a runner job.
We value enthusiasm on this job. Passion! If you’re hardworking and really want to be in the industry, then you’re more likely to get the job.
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Has this post helped you or do you have any other questions about getting into the industry?
LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.
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