Emily Graham

Thanks for your advice. I like the idea of watching the credits for production companies/locations. Do people typically send resumes to production companies? I remember when I worked at a post-production house and people would send resumes and they'd just go in someone's drawer (I think they were drawn upon when there was an opening however, but not certain). Again, how do people get a job in this industry? Hmm... temping is something I understand. Do you know how one goes about doing just that for places such as those? What you said about the television programming rehashing the same content really struck a chord. I know that must be true from the type of shows I see. Yes, you may be right about that not being for me. I definitely want to be a part of something fresh and thoughtful.

Thanks Brad (and everyone, really). I have some questions on schooling/job-getting: I have a BFA; major in photography, and minor in video ('91). I worked in a post-production facility after that for about 2 years. Then I was away from video/film altogether until... soon, I hope. I'm not sure if I should go back to school or not. My feeling is it would be helpful if it were a hands-on type environment -- where I could be involved in seeing a film produced from beginning to end. (Or maybe even an intensive workshop.) Then again, part of me thinks I have enough experience to at least get an entry-type job in the production end... and go from there (or rather, learn from there). Any opinion on this? Also... how do people go about getting jobs in this industry? I've been in the corporate realm for so long now... all I had to do there was go through a temporary staffing agency, and I could get placed. I'm unsure how to begin in the film/video arena. The way I got that job at the post-production facility was that a short film of mine was seen by the owner at our annual college film festival and he offered me a position. Also, is there age discrimination in this industry? I'm not ancient, but I'm not directly out of college either. Thanks!

Thanks for the replies!! This is food for thought, definitely. (Also... good to know about San Francisco.) I've heard Austin is a fun city anyway, and it's one I've been interested in checking out. I'm excited to learn that there is film opportunity there. Question: What if a person is interested in more non-fiction type work, for instance, documentaries for TV, or even television shows like you'd find on Discovery, TLC, etc.? That's the kind of stuff I'm super-interested in. Initially, I kind of see myself making films on my own (and thus want to be in an area where other creative types would be - people with whom I could collaborate); and also finding beginning jobs in the industry to learn how everything really works and to make contacts. But I think my end goal is working on pieces that would be aired on TV. (I'm sorry, I should have mentioned all that to begin with.) This is a neat forum, btw!

I'm looking to move soon (next 2 months), and I'm also interested in getting a job in film (starting as a PA or what have you). What cities are good "film" cities? That is, places where one might find more opportunity than not. I think LA is a given... and I understand San Francisco has a pretty good film community. (I'm in Atlanta, so please don't say Atlanta.) Any others...? Thanks in advance!