Heya, I am moving to LA in march and trying to pay the rent when I am there

The reason why I am writing this is that I am interested in working on any filmset right away. I was wondering if any of you guys already out there need help on an upcomming project. I am easy to deal with and a fun guy on set. I would highly appreciate any help or any feedback on how to get some smaller jobs out there.

here is my reel if interested (work-in-progress) and I got a CV ready. The reel is all school work I did at NYU as a DP. I also got a Directors reel if interested.

http://www.guyinhisbasement.com/misc/DPreel.mov

Best,

Kris

km891@nyu.edu

Awesome. There was some really good stuff on there. The Oldboy music fits perfectly.

Cool, good luck. I'll keep my ears out.

I admit I am kind of scared NY is nice, cozy and small....

Coming from New York, it probably won't be that bad. Although, you'll hate driving and traffic (and will be totally lost the first few months). Get a "thomas guide" map book and a good relaxation technique for when it takes an hour and a half to drive ten miles.

I'm still afraid of New York.

what is the best advice you can give me to get my first jobs...look for some small things on mandy.com?

I would definetly check out Mandy.com. I replied to several posts there, and got an email a few weeks later for one of the jobs I was interested in. I was set up with a video interview, in which I had to create a small sample for the company, and now I'm hired. It's decent pay, and it's a good way to start up and slip into the industry. Be relentless, don't give up after being rejected a few times. You'll be fine.

Good luck!

What kind of job are you looking for? A smaller position on a big production? Or a big position on a smaller production? That leads to a more complex question about what you ultimately want to do, how soon you want to do it, and what risks are you willing take to make it? And we're talking a career, within the 'system', and not a hobby.

Somebody should write a book on this subject.

If you go for a smaller role on a large production, that normally means "below the line". Camera assistant, qrip, gaffer, you know what I'm talking about. Once you get established, the money will be great (but not 'above the line' great), but advancing to more creative jobs is difficult. There is no career path that takes you from a 1st AC to a DP. But, a few years down the line, the show you're working on may need you to stand in as a DP for a few shots, which could launch you to a DP (if you're lucky). Or you could save the 600 bucks a day you make as 1st AC and DP your own smaller project which will launch you to DP status (if you're lucky).
***So to take this route, you really need to make personal contacts. Your reel and credentials will only help you so far as this is apprentice/trade work. Ask anyone you know if they know someone who could help you. Find out who hires the positions you want to start at and cold call them. Contact the unions, rental houses, etc. Go to 'industry' events (yuck!). This requires a lot of hard work and a little luck. Or, a little hard work and a lot of luck. If you're any good, your first job should hopefully lead to more jobs. But keep networking. This is risky because you could wake up ten years from now as a camera operator on a television show you hate--what happened to your dream?

But you don't want to get pigeon-holded as a 'below the line' worker. You went to film school and want to be creative. You want to be Director/DP/producer/etc. Only you've shopped your reel around and no one's giving you the kinds of jobs you're aiming for. So, you settle for jobs that may lead to jobs that may lead to what you want to do.
***Start smaller. Craigslist, Mandy, and the other sites are full of people claiming you will get paying jobs if you just work for free for them this once. Sure most are full of it. But there is that possibility. You will have to choose projects carefully. Make sure you are getting something out of the experience (i.e. material for the reel, contacts/networking, [new] experience, and/or cold hard cash). As you build a network, more/better jobs will come along. And eventually you'll find (or develop) a project that will get you, career-wise, where you want to be. This is risky as you will be getting significantly less money for your time--how will you pay next month's rent?

Wow, this got long (and preachy). There is no guaranteed career path for anything. This is the most unfair, luck dependent industry I have ever encountered. But I really do believe that people make luck with determination. Of course this is all from my perspective--other's may have different views.


Finally, Kris, a little more direct advice: AFI has a newsletter email with job listings. Ask our mutual friend if he'd foreword it to you a few times. They're still lower paying jobs (the kind that need to find people via newsletters or internet postings), but less people see these postings.

Joren, you have me thinking about a "book" on this. thanks

Oh, I have to add (in this edit) that I've been doing a lot of driving here all over LA county for PA gigs for about 3 months and the geography is starting to sink in. I'm from Ohio, so I'm used to symmetrical roadways, which at least 1/3 of LA is not. If you become that PA who does a lot of runs, you'll probably need to just drive all over LA county for at least a week just to get a start on where everything is. If you have questions about that, message me.

Get one of those Garmin GPS Palm Pilots. I received one as a gift and oh my God are they lifesavers. I don't know how much they cost though - probably a couple hundred.

Next best bet is a Thomas Guide. LIFESAVER. Absolute lifesaver when you're first out here.

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

I'll do that. I also got my film getting ready for the festival circuit and just did some DP stuff (B team for a music video airing on MTV 2 so i got some more for my reel. Besides preparing 2 feature scripts with my writer in case my short takes off and people ask me what else I have (small chance haha), I dont mind doing small jobs as long as I can shoot or camera operate. And I dont really care about money as long as I can pay rent.

I also applied to AFI as a Director but then again, small chance to get in

I recently met up with Ryan Shore, an upcomming composer in LA (he did PRIME for Universal and scored a lot of NYU shorts) and we talked a bit ( he helps me with my short...yay) and we both pretty much think if you handle LA the same way than filmschool, you will eventually succeed. That means, dont be an ass, work hard, be nice and give up your life for film....hell, I did that since I left europe

Anyway, thanks for the replies, I will try to get hold of that AFI newsletter.

Best,

Kris

Joren,

Your response was great!

You should seriously think about writing an article for the site on that very idea - I think it will be very beneficial to the members of the site.

Heck - write a book on it! hehe

Take care and thanks again for being an awesome contributor to the forums.

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

I second that motion! Amazing post.

yeah, ok. I'll see what I can make up