Dear Producers and Directors

[Yash Lucid]

What is the status quo, as a freelancing director/cam op/editor, to introduce yourself to a new company for work?

 

Is it just a matter of creating a solid showreel, backed by your website, and then looking up their contact email and sending a happy introduction?

 

Or is there perhaps something more I'm missing.

 

Sincerely,

- indie filmmaker moving to the big city

[Tyler Purcell]

Usually you don't go to companies for work as a DP/Operator. Generally most work will be adverts that you'll reply with your demo reel and resume. Once on a shoot, it's very easy to get more work from the crew you're working with. Building connections is how you get more work. All it takes is landing on a good show and you could be set for a while. But getting on that good show can take a decade or more. That's why a lot of people have resorted to working freelance, owning their own equipment and making their own projects.

 

So you need to separate yourself from being a DP/Operator if you wish to be a Director. Those are two completely different jobs unfortunately. If your goal is Direct, you need to make your own stuff and go to festivals with it, preying someone notices. It's a lot of work and most people work outside of the industry, shooting their own stuff on the weekends whilst paying the bills.

 

In my view, you need your own equipment, you need a lot of talent and most importantly, a lot of time to make it all happen. Gotta stay focused on producing an excellent quality product and simply make it happen.

 

BTW What's the "big city"