ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

8 years, 4 months ago - Mark Wiggins

Hi Monet

First of all, you're a writer/director so I wouldn't buy a camera. Cameras can be rented or DOPs you work with will have one. The DOP will want to choose the camera anyway. Concentrate on the writing and directing.

Make Shorts, enter them into festivals, then make more shorts. Practise your craft and get known. Join Directors UK. Network. Apply for every scheme you can. Its just a combination of hard work/talent/networking and being in the right place at the right time. Also explore Music Videos and Commercials. I know many directors who make a living doing those while shooting drama in the form of Shorts. Don't be in too much of a hurry. You'll know its time to get an agent when they come knocking on your door.

Good luck.

8 years, 4 months ago - Allan (Mac) McKenna

Are you English Monet? Your surnames Welsh but that doesn't really signify much. The point is (and I don't know how to say this without sounding patronising) if you've got a 1st class honours it will help when looking for work if you brush up on basic English. If English isn't your first language you should make that clear. Mark's advice is sound and if it sounds like bloody hard work I'm afraid it is. Good luck anyway.

8 years, 4 months ago - Monet Morgan

Hello Mark,

Thank you so much for you advice.
I'm a filmmaker overall so I can DOP and edit and different production roles. My main roles are Director, Writer as you pointed. Apologies for not making that clear. I'm looking to be a Freelance Filmmaker and well as make projects and short films.
I have heard of a few of the schemes and I love to network. I feel like it will be beneficial as a young filmmaker to get themselves out there.

8 years, 4 months ago - Monet Morgan

Hello Allan,

I'm not too sure how your response relates to my question for advice. It doesn't really relate or help me.
But thanks for taking the time to answer.

8 years, 4 months ago - Allan (Mac) McKenna

I've re-read it and it makes sense to me Monet. Your choice.

8 years, 4 months ago - John Lubran

Hello Monet. This is Shooting People; it's a long established entity of some 30,000 members. The members represent a broad and eclectic community from complete beginners through working crafts people to ACTUAL producers, many of whom are experienced directors and craft people too.

Over the years it's been interesting to see how beginners present themselves to these lists. I'm not sure how much credit university degree course or student productions completed at university are given by those ACTUAL working professional members here. It's a fine line between self promotion and successful networking. I imagine that other than with those modest beginners here just about everyone else amongst those thousands would be keen to describe themselves with great positivity. As ever though, what counts most is what one can do solely demonstrated by what one has done on the one hand and what tangible physical, business and intellectual resources one can bring to the table on the other.

I wouldn't argue that hard work can be a beneficial virtue but it's not always the empowering factor. Lots of people work hard all their lives without much success. Working clever is likely to result in more success than working hard.

I think that Allan's observation about taking care with grammes and spelling has been dismissed too lightly though. People do notice poor language and literacy because it either suggests a non native correspondent or very much worse, a lack of attention to detail. As has often been said, the devil is in the detail.

8 years, 4 months ago - Monet Morgan

Thank you for taking the time to answer this question Allan.

8 years, 4 months ago - Monet Morgan

Hello John,

I understand what you are saying and thank you for taking the time to messaging here.
I do believe delivery and exhibition in responses verbally or in written format is key. I don't think asking for my nationality was relevant at all.
Although I was a student, I have been working on independent passion projects all through the three years and I have built up my professional online profile in a nice position. Right now, I am in a position where I love to film and hoping there are opportunities that I can use my talent and skill put myself in a better position as a respected filmmaker.

8 years, 4 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Hey Monet,

I think the point about nationality/being a native/non-native English speaker is relevant for someone presenting themselves as a writer. I suspect that's what the chaps above are referring to. There's no problem with being non-native for sure, but it helps people find a context for you if for instance you usually write in your mother tongue? :)

I make films, and all I can say is that it's damn hard to get started. If I post a paying runner job, I'll have dozens if not hundreds of applications within a couple of days. I'd say staying on the ball is the best thing you can do - work won't look for you, you need to be chasing it! Hope this helps

8 years, 4 months ago - Ben Blaine

Guys, a momentary glance on her website will tell you she was born in the far off land of North West London. I'm really not sure why or how this became a discussion about grammar as hers is flawless, or, if I'm missing some misused subjunctive clause in her original post, hers is at least nothing that would affect her career.

I know you all mean well but it's a bit depressing when a qualified young black woman asks for help and the main response is middle aged white men trying to correct her grammar.

8 years, 4 months ago - Ben Blaine

In an actual answer, Monet, what sort of work do you actually want? You have a wide skill base which is great, but can be distracting. Think hard about the career you really want, the sort of work you really want to make. Who working now would you like to be in 10 years? How did they do it?

8 years, 4 months ago - John Lubran

Whereas it's good that Ben properly suggests mitigation of criticism, it's not correct to say that Monet's post was flawless; that's why it was mentioned. The issue of skin colour was never an issue until Ben raised it. What is more useful for youngsters to understand as early as possible in their careers is that less is often more. It's in the nature of youth to be callow with a callowness that's very much forgivable in the young but that becomes increasingly ubsurd as one gets older. Most of us working in film and television who actually depend on it for a living try to present ourselves as being skilled at what we do. We use provenance as our qualification. The production community contains several echo chambers in which it can be too easy for people to succomb to reality bubbles that are taken for a generality, it's a social thing. Sometimes those reality bubbles get quite big with impressive sounding structures linked to minor institutional entities issuing awards and dangling small monetary titbit. Whilst such entities can provide opportunities and stepping stones they are not in themselves viable reality bubbles. Viability comes from either successfully selling ones wares or getting a job in the educational and or establishment machine.

So, the context is; how ought a youngster seek access and opportunity? Over emphasising ones provenance is only likely to succeed within echo chambers that share similar aspirations, which are unlikely to include those who have achieved actual viability beyond the subsidised titbits and structures provided by the state or its dependent entities. Because those state sponsored entities can only sustain limited aspirations, most beginners seeking a viable career will need to do so in that wild freebooting world of enterprise. Therefore how one sells oneself and ones wares is the difference between success and failure. Notwithstanding the benifits of nepotism and wealth which is a common alternative.

8 years, 4 months ago - AndBut Films

Success as a director and writer comes from the quality and prominence of your work, so keep doing it. Your credits and website are already admirable. Yes, buy a camera because that is an essential tool. Network and collaborate.

To get freelance jobs, start as an assistant and work your way up. That way you will gain experience and industry contacts. When you meet people who can help you, show them the films you keep making independently.

filmpartners@andbut.co.uk

8 years, 4 months ago - Mark Wiggins

Join www.myfirstjobinfilm.com It actually advertises real jobs on real productions rather than the low budget/no pay jobs other websites advertise.

8 years, 4 months ago - Mark Wiggins

Sorry, that's www.myfirstjobinfilm.co.uk

8 years, 4 months ago - John Lubran

Looking good Monet. I visited your website. You're doing great. The universe reveals its depths as it unfolds. I'm 67 and barely begun to explore it. Great Film makers, like artists and entrepreneurs, are born, not made. I suspect you're one of them.

8 years, 4 months ago - Franz von Habsburg FBKS MSc

Hi Monet. I've been reading all the above and do understand what has been written. You were being asked if English is your first language (not always the case on SP - we are very multicultural) because it is essential it is squeaky accurate if you want to write. It's true that your original letter is not 100% so do please get everything checked. The responses were only intended as kind and helpful.

As to qualifications, one cannot emerge from any course as a director. Do join a group though as there is nothing like an exchange of ideas. As a BAFTA ambassador with a task of mentoring do feel free to contact direct via franz@imperialfilmproductions.com if you wish. I specialise in the maths of cinematography as well as writing.

8 years, 4 months ago - Monet Morgan

Hello Paddy,
Thanks for the advice. I'll looking for work constantly. Just hoping I'm looking in the right places.

8 years, 4 months ago - Monet Morgan

Hello Ben,

Thank you for your message and showing understanding.
I think you raise up a good point in actually finding out specifically what I want to do.
Although I know I have several skills in camera work, writing, producing, creating, editing and more; I know that I want to continue to make films as that is where my heart lies. I love storytelling and doing that visually as well as being involved in the process is what I specifically want to do and recognised for at the highest level in the next 10 years.

8 years, 4 months ago - Monet Morgan

Hello AndBut Films,

Thank you for your kind words and thank you for your advice.
I'll be sure to look out for the assisting roles and take then into consideration as well as the others.

8 years, 4 months ago - Monet Morgan

Hello again Mark,

Just looked at www.myfirstjobinfilm.co.uk and it looks like a great site for people in my position.
Thank you for sharing this with me.

8 years, 4 months ago - Monet Morgan

Hello again John,
Thank you for your kind works. It really means a lot.

8 years, 4 months ago - Monet Morgan

Hello Franz von Toskana,

Thank you for adding to the list of advice given.
I will look into groups as you've suggested that they are good to bounce of different ideas with different creatives.

8 years, 4 months ago - Monet Morgan

Correction in my response to Ben.

I love storytelling and I love doing that visually as well as being involved in the development process. This is what I specifically want to do and being recognised for that at the highest level in the next 10 years.

8 years, 4 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Hi Monet,

The thing about looking in the right places is also looking at the right time... And that's /all/ the time. Jobs may be posted just once and may be taken down hours later - for instance if I'm looking for paid runners I will get applications within a few minutes of posting, may be doing phone interviews within the hour and personal ones same day. If after posting the ad I have 40 candidates for 3 jobs in a few hours, the chances are high that I'll just strike the ad as it's not fair on people to keep applying to a job that's filled.

Another site is "filmandtvpro" - I've found a couple of dozen people through that and allied sites over the years.

If you do get a job running, the guide on tvwatercooler is pretty good - I don't 100% agree, but it's got a lot right. They may still post runner jobs, IDK. Oh, productionbase is another site.

8 years, 4 months ago - Mark Wiggins

Also Networking is VERY important, including working on other people's Shorts for expenses because that is a form of Networking; that's why people do it. People are more likely to employ you if you are someone they have met, or worked with on a short, than if you are just a name at the top of a CV.

Also, a lot of jobs aren't advertised. As you get known its always worth while asking people you know are working if they have any jobs going.

8 years, 4 months ago - Allan (Mac) McKenna

Hey Ben - Monet's grammar is 'flawless'? Really says more about Ben Blaine really.

8 years, 4 months ago - Matt Turner

Hi Monet,

Welcome to SP, and thanks for starting this discussion.

Admittedly, its a broad point of discussion, but hopefully but some useful or pragmatic advice comes out it, besides improving your (already perfectly fine) grammar, which seems an odd point to pick upon given the questions raised by the thread!

There's lots of things I wish I'd known earlier in my already short career, so hopefully some knowledge can be transferred, and some time saved.

Matt
SP

8 years, 4 months ago - Suzanne Smith

Hi Monet

Yes there's so much available out there! I would recommend visiting the BAFTA Guru website, there are tonnes of videos, audio pieces and articles full of advice from top professionals working in the industry. My favourite is the Jimmy McGovern film on scriptwriting; http://www.bafta.org/television/features/jimmy-mcgovern-delivers-his-screenwriters-lecture

What I love about Jimmy is his humility and his perseverance - any job in the film industry is an endurance test! I don't believe in "talent" or "Skill", but I do believe in hard work and becoming the best of the best through making yourself the best of the best. Make as many short films as you can - check out the Creative England resources - http://www.creativeengland.co.uk/film-and-tv. Writing and film-making in the real world are just about doing it in your spare time and building up a body of work, then hopefully getting an agent who might put you forward for paid work.

Until then, paid jobs you can do vary, it's totally up to you. I would recommend finding some people who do the job you want to do, and ask if you can interview them about how they got into their jobs. Some directors start off by working for TV production companies (a runner at say, Tiger Aspect - http://www.tigeraspect.co.uk/recruitment/runners-scheme/) some people go into editing, some might working at a camera rental house (I did this, but I'm a DOP so it might be better if you wanted to go into camerawork)

There is also Skillset website; https://creativeskillset.org
I know a couple of years ago they offered a trainee scheme for AD's and camera trainees - maybe the Assistant Director role might be something you want to consider if you'd like to go into directing. Again, this might be something you want to talk to a professional director about as they will be able to advise you what they think about the various opportunities.

If you know exactly what you want to do, then just research people who already do that job and aim for the best path from there. But don't worry if your not sure - some of the most interesting freelancers in the industry are those that and moved around a little. Just try to get on a set and then you can make your decision from there.

Anyway I hope that helps. There is so much available out there, it's such an exciting time when you have left university. I'm not going to pretend it's easy because it isn't, it's a rollercoaster that no-one gets used to. Just keep watching the films that inspire you over and over, and enjoy the thrill when the phone rings and you get the job :)

All the best
Suzanne

8 years, 4 months ago - IAN SCIACALUGA

Hi Monet
Jump on the ladder that you want to climb. If it's writing, maybe script read for an agent or get on Hollyoaks/ a BBC drama as a script assistant or a reader ?
Ian

8 years, 4 months ago - David Graham Scott

Someone said something about a bunch of 'middle-aged white men' attacking a young black woman. That's kind of ageist. What does it matter that they're middle-aged and white? Seems to be the popular whipping boy of recent times ...the older white man who is somehow deemed to be racist. That's a supposition that in itself is bigoted.
Most of the older chaps on here are experience technicians/producers/editors etc and have valid opinions. Of course, we can all get a bit jaded with age and lament about the current state of TV. If the older white man comes across as belligerent in these forums it does not mean he is a bigot necessarily.
I know a fairly young black man in Scotland and I said it was worth looking into some scheme aimed at getting more ethnic diversity in TV. Such schemes exist and he found work through one so that was great to hear. If opportunities like that exist then go for it, Monet.