The Many Ways to Break Into Film

Article written by Herb Kimble.

There are many different ways to break into the film industry, it just depends on the route you want to take and how much patience you have. The first thing you need to know is that it’s not necessary to live in Los Angeles to “make it” in the industry, although that definitely does help. Here are some ideas on how to get into the industry using means you might not have considered.

Consider All Aspects of Filmmaking

There is more to film than being a director or an actor. These positions are highly coveted, but plenty of people work on and off the camera as extras and crew. Finding a way into the industry is as simple as getting a job in some form of production. People tend to think of filmmaking as centralized to a few major studios, but there are smaller production and effects houses all across the nation that contribute to the art of filmmaking.

Look for one near you, learn some relevant skills and apply for something entry level. If you do live in LA, production assistant jobs can be instant gold when it comes to breaking in, and chances are good that someone in your vast circle of friends knows someone in the industry or works there themselves.

Don’t worry about the details of where you want to end up. So much of getting started is finding a niche to fill and figuring out what you want to do from there. People from all walks of life become filmmakers, so have patience and learn some aspect of the industry before diving in.

This article was written by Herb Kimble. Herb Kimble is the founder of CineFocus Productions, a film production company in Los Angeles and Urban Flix, a streaming network that specializes in multi-cultural content. For more info, about Herb Kimble, visit his Twitter.