Working in the film industry. (get credit, how much, school)

[strikefirefall]

I came to LA with the idea of working in the music industry, but film production has always been in the back of my mind. There are a lot of stories I would love to see made into a movie. I have zero experience or "real knowledge" of film production, but would really love to learn a little more about it. I've done a little research through YouTube. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do next or know of any forums I could go to?

I've looked up a couple internships and know that UCLA has a film production certificate program.

[Ceece]

Ask around or blast studios, big and small, with a resume an offer to work free/cheap. One you are an intern or PA you can actually see what's what up close and in person. There are probably ads for those kinds of positions all over CL too.

[strikefirefall]

I emailed about 5 companies that posted ads for internships. One replied saying I needed to get credit and I told them I could. Waiting to hear back.

I'm worried about getting into something, then not liking it, then having to look for another career. Then the cycle repeating itself.

[jaekn]

Originally Posted by strikefirefall

I'm worried about getting into something, then not liking it, then having to look for another career. Then the cycle repeating itself.

Ha, welcome to reality. Glad you could make it!

[strikefirefall]

Originally Posted by jaekn

Ha, welcome to reality. Glad you could make it!

I wouldn't really consider that the real world. I'd consider having to pay your own bills and being on your own as a welcoming into the real world.

[nightlysparrow]

Hollywood is in its own world.

[jaekn]

Getting into something is the only way to find out you wont like it. Because this always happens, that is reality. At least for the majority of us. In real reality (for reals), this guy wants to just fall into a film industry career... Extremely unlikely.

[PDF]

Originally Posted by jaekn

Getting into something is the only way to find out you wont like it. Because this always happens, that is reality. At least for the majority of us. In real reality (for reals), this guy wants to just fall into a film industry career... Extremely unlikely.

Agreed. This is life. Not everyone finds the first thing and stays with it forever. It's trial and error.

[TurcoLoco]

Beware of con artists, there are tons of them in LA who will take advantage of the gullible people in a NY minute. You have no experience or skills in the field so if you easily get a job that sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Then again, how much more a company can take advantage of an individual if the individual is already working for free, right?

[SpaceMonkyPunks]

Originally Posted by TurcoLoco

Beware of con artists, there are tons of them in LA who will take advantage of the gullible people in a NY minute. You have no experience or skills in the field so if you easily get a job that sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Then again, how much more a company can take advantage of an individual if the individual is already working for free, right?

Agreed, and a word on those 'internships' -

In my opinion, based on some bad experiences, an internship is worth absolutely nothing UNLESS it's with a well-known, reputable, successful company. And I mean really well known - household names that your grandparents would know. Don't intern at a 'start-up'. There's plenty of legit start-ups out there, but they have venture capital and can afford to pay people. The ones posting on craigslist are a total toss up - it could be a real start-up, or it could be a guy in his garage who can't even pay his own bills, much less yours.

It's good that they're telling you that you need to be in school - most legit studios only offer internships to currently enrolled students, under the premise that while you're working for them without pay, you at least get credits in return.