Before you move to Los Angeles
Before you move to Los Angeles get your resume together and save some money. You will need it. The best way to get your foot in the door is with an internship. So try to have enough cash so you can survive 6 months to a year before you have a decent paying job. Those oh so elusive PA jobs pay about 700$ a week. Barely enough to pay your rent and phone bill.
More things to consider before the big move, or applying for a job:
Get an email address you will keep for years
i.e. Not through your school, or local provider.
Look at your social media accounts, is there anything on there you wouldn’t want a perspective employer to see?
Look at your resume.
Is it clean and concise?
Remember, you are applying for a job in a creative industry, will your resume stand out?
Once you are here:
Don’t lose hope!
Give yourself at least an hour to get anywhere. Traffic sucks.
What to look for:
What do you want to do?
Writer: If you want to be a writer ask writers how they started. Try for jobs as a writers assistant, Writers PA, Asst. to the Producer, reader etc..
Director: Look into the DGA directors program. Make a short. Just keep filming.
Editors- there is an internship program from ACE. Try getting a Post PA job. etc
Basically do a little research. If you are not sure what you want, try to get near a working show or set, look into being a page, or PA.. Ask nicely and people will generally help. Listen to what they are saying. :)
Get out there!
Go out to bars, coffee shops, and restaurants. Meet people tell them you are looking for a job. Go to film festivals, art shows.... just go... One stipulation and it’s a big one.... look for a job you can get. If you want to be a writer, try to be a writer’s PA, an Asst, to a producer, a reader. Don’t tell people you are a director, writer, etc.. What can they do for you.. really?
Do Your own Projects!
If you want to be a writer, write. If you want to direct put a project together and do it.. Anything... You will meet people, and get yourself out there.
So you got the interview:
Don’t be nervous, they want you as much as you want them.
The people you are meeting want you to be the one. They are tired of looking at resumes, calling people, and setting appointments, so be yourself.
Find out who you will be meeting with and the name of the project.
Look them up. Know a little bit about the show, film or company. This will give you some good information so you have pertinent questions to ask.
Recheck your online presence.
You can be certain they have googled you.
Never discount the Assistant.
They have a lot of influence, if you treat them badly, you will never make it past them. They are the ones screening your resumes and submissions.
Only talk about the skills you have that are relevant to the job for which you are applying.
This is a hard thing for students or people just starting out. But, in the interview it is great to say you are a go getter, can handle lots of phone work, are proficient with computers etc... But if you are applying to be a runner, PLEASE don’t offer them your demo real or head shot. If you are applying to be a PA don’t hand over a script. This is a surefire way of not getting the job. Once you are on the job, you can feel out when it is appropriate to hand over a reel, or demo or script, head shot anything like that. If they don’t ask, they don’t want it.
Wow, you got the job:
Get in there and work hard. People will notice.
Never screw up lunch.
The most time you will spend in front the executive producer or higher-ups is when you are delivering lunch or coffee. This will be the impression they will have of you and all your work. DON’T SCREW IT UP. Open the bag, is everything inside. Grab some extra sugars, salsa, ketchup whatever. When you bring in lunch, bring in knives, forks and napkins. Ask if they would like something to drink. If there is a meeting, deliver it quietly. Trust me this seems simple, dumb even meaningless, but the people who do this right get promoted.
Know when to have an opinion.
This is a hard one. Most of the time if you are quiet you will be able to sit in on any number of meetings. Learn to be a fly on the wall. If someone wants your opinion they will ask for it. If no one asks, sit quietly and learn as much as you can.
Be yourself.
From writers, to production and post we all spend a lot of time at work. You will spend more time with these people than your family. Now is a good time to mention you have dreams of directing, acting, editing, if you don’t tell anyone they won’t know. Easy. So try to enjoy yourself, this is entertainment.
Most Of all Good Luck!