[Artap99]

I apologize for the forwardness of this post and the vague title of the thread.

I graduated from film school six months ago and haven't been able to find a paying job. I've had several PAing jobs and 'internships,' but I'm actually losing money doing them due to transportation costs. I can't hold up another job besides this because the shoots last months and go for 14 hours a day. No one is willing to hire me unless I go unpaid. They keep telling me that if I keep doing these jobs, I'll get a better job. I have gotten other jobs this way, but still no money. I can't really afford it, due to my having to pay off college loans.
I've been at this for two and a half years. In film school is was easier, because I could do student projects. I have extensive experience with sound, lighting, editing, cinematography, editing, storyboarding--and almost every other function of a movie, but I can't make a living off of it. At this rate, I only have another three months before I have to move back home and start over. I'll have to find a minimum wage job and work for a year or two to stash away money so that I can afford another few months looking for a job that applies to my degree.
I don't know anyone in the industry, which is making it impossible to find a job that matches my skill set. In college I was using 16 and 35mm cameras every day and now I can't even get near a lighting kit.

Would anyone happen to have any advice or know of any opportunities that I can take up? I don't think I'm the greatest person in the world with thousands of stories and skills that could be the next Spielberg. I am just looking for a job so that I can at least have a chance to do something.

[Windswept]

Hi Artap.

Well, for one thing, maybe you're not in the best location for work in film.

There must be industry publications and websites associated with companies that have a lot of projects going, probably companies located in 'good weather' cities in the West and South. Atlanta springs to mind.

You could google Atlanta, Georgia, film industry, and see if you get any decent hits. Go to the websites and look for links. You don't have any relatives in Atlanta, do you?

[Phoenix]

Man this is a tough one. I finishes a television and special effects course in Australia recently and was lucky enough to land a job straight after. But it's often a fine line between getting taken for a ride and doing things for free for your gain. Often people will take advantage of someone willing to work for free ad you get stuck in that shitty cycle.

My suggestion is go onto www.mandy.com and have a look on there. I look on that every now and then just to see what's going on.

Unfortunately it's an area where it's often WHO you know not WHAT. I did heaps of work experience and internships during uni and stayed with friends and family and eventually got given a job by one of the people i worked with. I would suggest doing as much as you can even though it's free, but built up a really great show reel and then start on websites like Mandy.com and start sending your stuff in. It may mean going elsewhere in the country or even overseas for a great job, but if i get offered something overseas i would take it in a second.

It's an amazing industry to work in, but it's a bloody hard one to get started in. I'm lucky i can now do this job for a few years, build experience and my show reel, and then apply for the jobs i have dreamed of confidant at having a shot at getting them.

Good luck with it and i'd be happy to help a bit further if you need.

[Artap99]

Originally Posted by Windswept Hi Artap. Well, for one thing, maybe you're not in the best location for work in film. There must be industry publications and websites associated with companies that have a lot of projects going, probably companies located in 'good weather' cities in the West and South. Atlanta springs to mind. You could google Atlanta, Georgia, film industry, and see if you get any decent hits. Go to the websites and look for links. You don't have any relatives in Atlanta, do you?

I live near Philadelphia and often travel between here and New York. And New York has a massive film/television industry. My problem isn't finding a job. It's finding a paying job. I can't move to Atlanta or LA and get no work/have an unpaying job, because I'd be worse off than when I was here. I've done internships, I've met people, but no one is willing to go the extra step and hire me into a paid position.

[billybobsky]

What about creating videos for capital campaigns for universities or other non-profits?

[Moogs]

Maybe get yourself a student copy of Final Cut Studio, learn some of the digital side and see if you can get work doing videos for a corporate marketing department. Hell you could do that anyway without the software part. Not very exciting but it will pay well if you're highly qualified / know the equipment inside and out.

[polendo]

If you do not put a price to what you are able to do, and do it for free it means it has no value. I wouldn´t ever , ever work for free. After 2 years and a half working in the industry there must be someone who can take you on a paying job. If they don´t then maybe you should analyze what could be wrong with your situation and start making decisions.

regards and good luck