How To Land Your First Film Gig with No Experience?

Landing your first film gig has always been known as the hardest position to obtain especially if you’re looking to start out as a production assistant. And even with all the opportunity and resources literally at our fingertips – not much has changed.

But, with a little perseverance, hustle, and the courage to not take “no” for an answer, you can land a job in film in record time. And I know this for sure because I did and with no experience except for a 6-week Producer’s course I took at DCTV back in 2016.

But before I get into the nitty gritty details, let’s start off with:

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How do I get my first job in film?

Get clear on the type of position you want and that you know you’ll do an excellent job at if given the chance. Don’t limit yourself. If you want to start off as a background actor, lead actor, supporting actor, director’s / production / DP / sound assistant/trainee etc. – whatever it is just be clear about it.

Next, get proof! Gather your best work. Get your resume/CV together. If you went to film school or maybe have done some DIY film projects on the side, put a reel together. Go on Canva, Fiver, Upwork etc. get it color corrected, designed and polished to make it look its absolute best.

Now, if you don’t have any proof and the position that you want requires experience then you may want to consider another position that you can provide proof for. In your spare time, gather the necessary content you’ll need for position you initially wanted. Remember, you’re on nobody’s time schedule.

Third, apply! There are so many independent productions going on today. Many of them are on a tight budget but are still looking for creative, dedicated people who are anxious to work and help bring their visions to life. Everyone is different. What may look decent or mediocre to one filmmaker (in terms of creative work) could look fantastic and inspiring to another.

Give yourself a chance. Put yourself out there. Even if you do get rejected for the position you apply for you may get recommended for another allowing you to still get your foot in the door.

How can I work in film with no experience?

Instagram (IG) – Most film production companies have an Instagram account. Follow them and keep tabs consistently. Most tend to post about their upcoming productions, casting notices, and job openings on IG. See what events they’ll be hosting in-person and online and attend them.

Facebook (FB) Groups – If you’re looking to start off with smaller independent productions then Facebook is a good resource. Directors and producers are also always posting about job openings on FB. Aim to join groups with a smaller amount of group members that way your chance of getting job offers is greater.

Make sure the members of the group are actually interacting with each other and not just posting jobs because that may come off as a bit spammy.

Local Film Organizations, Chapters, & Festivals – google “film groups/organizations in your area” and see what comes up. See what meetup groups and events are available and go join.

Be active. Ask genuine questions. Get on their email lists. Listen to the educational panels at film festivals. Add/follow the filmmakers and educators on social media. Have a great and can-do attitude.

Get on people’s radar as the go-to person who’s willing to pounce on opportunities and deliver. Build relationships. Implement on advice and keep in touch with the person that gave it to you. As time goes on, you’ll be surprised at how soon people will be sending you opportunities out of nowhere.

Film Job Websites – These sites include Staff Me Up, Network ISA, Backstage, Actor’s Access etc. – Just be prepared as competition and guidelines on these sites are at an all-time high!

Here’s a mini-video I recorded about my first interview experience in film:

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Here’s how my first film job came about:

It’s April 25, 2021 – almost a month after my film mentorship session with Brenna in which she told me that I needed to get on-the-job experience to boost my confidence and reliability level when making my first short film. So, I began to think, “what could I do to immediately get my foot in the door?” My immediately thought was, go entry level as a “Production Assistant (PA)”

Why a PA?

I wanted to know what it was like to have a bird’s eye view of how everyone above operates. And I wanted to be so incredibly versatile. So, if I had to start in the dirt then so be it.

Next, I do a google search and came across a job posting for a production company called Delirio Films who was shooting a documentary in DC and needed a PA for 3 days. So, to apply I needed to go through a popular film site called “Staff Me Up”. But, to apply for any position on Staff Me Up, you need a minimum of 3 film credits. (Oh gosh!).

Then, I remembered, back in 2016, I co-produced a short documentary film that was broadcasted on DC TV: Your Voice. Your Network. However, since it was 5 years ago, I wasn’t getting any invites for interviews.

After a week of applying on Staff Me Up to no avail, I got the urge to call a film organization I’m a part of. The Executive Director picks up and I tell her what I was searching for in a film gig. She told me that “not many PA positions were available because of the pandemic but should be available soon now that things are opening back up”.

At the end of the conversation, she directed me to a secondary film site called the “Mid-Atlantic Directory” which led me to a casting director who resides in Virginia. I contact her, we exchange emails, and she assures me if anything becomes available, she’ll let me know.

The very NEXT day, I get two emails – one from the Executive Director and another from Karla about a small indie production company in Virginia who needed a production assistant. (Wow!) I immediately send my film resume to the email address and get a response back agreeing to an interview. The very next morning, I get an email from the director saying,

“Unfortunately, DC doesn’t work for us and being that this project doesn’t pay much I’ve decided that you’re not a good fit. Best of luck”.

I’m confused.

I respectfully respond back letting him know that I wasn’t looking for a full-time gig and money isn’t an issue. I’m only looking for experience and a project that takes place only on the weekends.

He responds back a few minutes later saying, “With that attitude, I’d be crazy not to at least give you a chance. Let’s meet Saturday”. And an interview was booked!

On May 8th, I drive up to Virginia and I’m met by a cute and chubby Dachshung dog and a confident, energetic, 76-year-old director of six feature films. I go into the office and am amazed by the dozens of camera equipment and story boards that filled the room. It was surreal.

In the end, he ended up hiring me on the spot and he told me,

“What sealed the deal for me about hiring you was the fact that you didn’t oversell yourself.”

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What is the easiest job to get on a film set?

In my opinion, it would be a production assistant (PA) or trainee. Even going on three years part-time in the film industry, I still apply for production assistant jobs because I’m good at the skills it requires.

Also, a production assistant / trainee doesn’t really involve any expensive technical work that can potentially cost thousands of dollars if something goes wrong. I also think PA positions don’t get enough credit. You’d be surprised at what other on-set positions it can lead to.

I’ve had multiple experiences where someone had to leave early, and I (the PA) had to take their place as the continuing script supervisor. There is no such thing as a bad position in film.

What to expect on a film set for the first time?

Chaos! Realize that there are multiple departments working at one time. From casting, crafts, props, hair/makeup, delivery etc. It can get crazy but it’s also kind of euphoric. Just seeing creative people speak in film terminology you’ve never heard of is just so cool.

Expect very long days. Sometimes over 12-hour days. Realize the director may only get through 1-2 scenes each day on a feature film. You have to be mentally tough. Get used to quick cat-naps. Bring snacks or refreshments that will keep you energized.

Don’t talk to the actors/actresses. Don’t touch anything that’s not in your department and be patient with others. Film/entertainment is all about who you know and a lot of people on film sets have known each other for years. So, don’t expect them to warm up to you so quickly. Give them time.

How easy it to get a job in the film industry?

It depends on the position you’re looking for and how hard and long you’re willing to hustle. Everyone is trying to get into film now. So, this means competition is at an all-time high. Be prepared for rejection but also don’t let it get to your head. They’ll be more opportunities for you to capitalize on.

Check out this video below for some inspiration:

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Other posts you may be interested in:

• What Happens On Set During A Film Production?
• How To Find Mentorship In The Film Industry?
• How To Obtain The Copyright To Your Film Script?

Disclaimer: 

The author is not liable for any losses or damages related to actions of failure to act related to the content in this article. If you need specific legal advice, consult with an attorney who specializes in your subject matter and jurisdiction.