How To

How to Make a Film Resume

Types of Resumes One of the most unsung differences between the film & video industry and most other career paths is how resumes are formatted and presented. Since this is a visual medium--and most professionals have had at least some freelance experience that isn't considered a 'typical' job--our industry resumes can look quite different. And to top that off, each job within the video industry will have different expectations for how your resume should look. For example, a graphic designer's resume will look much different than a corporate producer's resume, and that will differ from a freelance DP's resume. In general, there are 4 types of resumes you can choose from. Professional Experience Resume - This is, essentially, a 'traditional' resume. It lists jobs you've held in the past, the responsibilities contained within, starts with an Objective statement and is easy for big corporate A.I. resume readers to auto-read. These resumes are typical for bigger production companies or corporations looking to hire 'producers' or 'videographers' in-house. 2. Credits Resume - Ever seen an acting resume? This is the same idea; list your professional credits and other pertinent information such as training, education, and awards. Typically used for jobs hiring professionals on a project-by-project basis or specific, dedicated positions such as DPs or Directors. This is the type of resume used in the film/television crew world, where they want to hire people with experience in certain positions. A showrunner has no need to see a traditional resume for a PA, they just want to know you've been on set and can do the job. Your credits do the talking for you. 3. Hybrid Resume - Combines aspects of the Professional Experience resume along with a list of credits. Typically used by folks who've held traditional "jobs" but also have impressive credits or projects they've worked on, such as if you were an in-house DP for a number of years, but also filmed 2 feature films outside of your "day job." If you're fancy, you may hear this referred to as your Curriculum Vitae or CV. 4. Infographic Resume - Essentially, these highly-art-directed resumes contain all the relevant information,...

May 7, 2021

shootingrichard

in How To, Production, Video

How to Get a Job in “The Industry”

The most common question anyone asks about the film industry: what's the secret to "breaking in?" Well, here it is....

February 15, 2021

shootingrichard

in How To, Production, Video

What a Producer Does, or ‘How to Herd Cats’

One of the film industry's greatest mysteries: what the heck is a producer?...

December 11, 2019

shootingrichard

in How To, Production

How to Make a Demo Reel

People ask me all the time about that one little super-important thing that every production or post-production person should have, and since I’m not one to turn people away when they’re curious about the world’s best profession – ahem – I wanted to address the basics of the demo reel. Seriously, though, this is for you because I love talking to people about the process. Even if you already have a reel, I’ll discuss different tips and tricks to take your reel to the next level. So keep your eyes peeled and your Avids primed, here’s how to create a killer reel. What is a demo reel? A demo reel, reel, sizzle reel, show reel, or whatever else you’d like to call it, is essentially a moving portfolio of your film/video/graphics/animation work. Traditional artists and painters are expected to have a portfolio, and digital artists and filmmakers are no different. Your demo reel is your personal commercial for the work you’ve done. In short, it’s a trailer for about you. Employers, production companies, agents, and other parties interested in using your services often ask to see what you can do. This is your chance to show them. A reel should not be confused for a portfolio, which is different. A portfolio is a collection of many pieces of work you've created. A demo reel is one piece of work composed of the best bits from all of your projects. Why do you need a reel? You need a demo reel because no one believes you when you say “I’m a really good filmmaker/editor/animator/whatever”. Rule numero uno about the production world is, “show don’t tell”, and that’s exactly what a demo reel should do. In order to show future employers, clients, or jealous friends how good you are at your particular skill (directing, producing, editing, graphic design, animation, even acting), you need a reel that displays your work. Many employers won’t even consider candidates without a reel of some kind, and consider it just as important – if not moreso – than your resume. How do you make one? There are millions of ways to imagine and compose a demo reel....

November 3, 2019

shootingrichard

in How To, Production, Video

10 Tips for Pulling a Film Crew Together

So you want to be an independent filmmaker, but don’t yet have a film made. To do so, you need to find a production crew. This can be tricky for anyone, but it gets even trickier when you have a small budget or no budget at all. And just like no two films are the same, no two production crews are the same. So here are a few tricks and tips to go about finding and keeping a good production crew. 1. Create A Budget Okay, so this is a given. The more money you can offer, the more likely you are to get a really experienced, professional crew. But sometimes you don’t have that money, and we understand that. However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore the idea of a budget. Creating a budget (even if no one sees it) helps you plan, organize and consider your crew and your assets. And if your film does make a lot of money, you have to know how much to pay all those people that you promised you would pay if the film made money. 2. Know The Positions In particular, know which crew members you need, and why. Do a little bit of research if you don’t know, and you’ll be surprised how much you’ll learn about a film set. This way you know what to look for in a crew member. It’s also important to know which position is responsible for what, otherwise you risk being under-staffed or creating a hectic film set where no one knows who is responsible. This is frustrating for a crew, and can even be dangerous. 3. Don’t Use Your Buddies Unless they’re film professionals or want to be, most of the time using your friends as filmmakers is a mistake. They tend to be less respectful of your authority as a producer or director, and, honestly, they don’t know what they’re doing. If you want your film to look good and run smoothly, use people who are both passionate about filmmaking and know what they’re doing. 4. Use Your Buddies In a different way. The best way to find good crew members is through recommendations...

September 3, 2019

shootingrichard

in How To, Production, Video

15 Tricks to Getting More Creative

In today's world, if you're not at least a little bit creative, pretty soon a robot will be doing your job. But coming up with those artistic flourishes or inventive solutions isn't all that easy. Sometimes that muse just won't talk. This isn't an inspirational list meant to convince you that you're unique and creative. I believe that you already are, no matter what you do--you don't have to be writing a book or making a movie; even accountants are creative in their own ways. This article is for when you're stuck in a creative bind and need some extra oomph to make your project work. So here are fifteen hacks to get those creative juices juicing again. [gap h="10"] 1. Exercise. Get those endorphins flowing. Exercise is a stress reliever as well as a creative catalyst, and mindless repetition (you know, like running on a treadmill or lifting things) is a secret to letting your ponderous mind wander. In fact, NOT focusing on your creative problem is a way to help you work through it. It'll also give you some perspective: wouldn't you rather be working than stumbling your way along on a treadmill wishing you could eat a cheeseburger? [gap h="10"] 2. Get Mad. You know all those things you really want to tell that awful client? You know those times when you just want to say “really guys, this is the truth that you don’t want to hear,” or write a searing email to your boss? Write them down. Let it out. Many of us have created mental blocks to saying exactly what we mean because, well, we don’t want people to think we’re psychopaths. Break those barriers and say exactly what you mean. It’ll feel good, and often you’ll discover (somewhere) a new way to approach your problem. Just by being honest. Then destroy the evidence. Make sure not to actually send that email. In fact don’t even put an address in the ‘recipient’ line. Just be safe. [gap h="10"] 3. Shower. After all of that exercise and rage, you're probably still sweating desperation. Right now you reek of it, right? Okay, maybe not, but the shower is...

August 3, 2019

shootingrichard

in How To, Video