Film and Video Career Tips: Networking and Demo Reel Advice

How to start your film and video career.

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Working in the film and video industry can be like playing a high-stakes game of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon. Everyone connects to everyone else in one way or another. Figuring out the connections—and where you fit into it all—is the tricky part.

Networking is essential in your film and video career. The better connected you are, the more in-demand you're likely to be. Luckily, finding these connections may be easier than you think. Here are a few places to begin:

Film Festivals and Events
Who's the next big thing? (Besides you, of course.) A film festival or industry event can be great places to discover new trends and new faces in the business. You can make connections with established veterans and up-and-comers.

Film School
Establish relationships with teachers and peers, and keep in touch. They may have contacts in the film and video industry that you don't have. Besides, you never know where your film school classmates will be in the future. It's entirely possible that someday they'll be working on a project that will need your expertise.

On Set
If you want to expand your network within the film industry, who better to help you than your co-workers? When working on a project, socialize with the crew. You can make a lot of helpful connections that could possibly lead to future jobs. Be the kind of co-worker everyone wants to have, and you may find that your peers are some of the best resources you can find.

Professional Associations
Perhaps joining a professional association seems obvious. A room full of knowledgeable film and video professionals looking to network with each other and with you? Go sign up, if you haven't already. What do you have to lose?

Tips for Successful Film and Video Career Networking

Of course, knowing where to look for contacts is only part of the picture. Successful networking is a social game. You'll want to make sure that your social skills are polished and at the ready. As you start your film and video career, keep the following tips in mind:

Ask for advice.
When you meet professionals in the film and video industry, don't be afraid to ask for their advice. It's good to be respectful of their busy schedules, but you'll never know if they have a few minutes to talk unless you ask.

Help others.
Put in a good word for someone else when you have a chance. It's not just good karma. They'll remember you, and perhaps someday they'll be in a position to return the favor. The film and video industry is tough. It's good to have allies.

Keep in touch.
Don't let a good contact go. Networking is not just about making friends—it's also about keeping them. That takes a little work. But it's worth it.

Have Your Film and Video Demo Reel Handy

All the networking in the world may do little good if you don't have something to show for yourself. Your demo reel should show your best work to date. It should advertise your skills to potential employers.

Not sure what makes a demo reel successful? Here are a few quick tips:

Keep it short and sweet.
Time is money. No one wants to watch a feature length demo. Keep it around 1-2 minutes.

Put your best stuff first.
You only have a few seconds to capture the attention of your prospective employers. Make sure they'll see your best and/or most relevant work up front.

Be prepared.
Prepare a demo reel before someone asks to see it ASAP. This is the first impression people will have of you. You don't want it to look slapped together. While you're at it, make more than one version for different kinds of jobs.

Don't get carried away with effects.
Even if you're highly skilled with special effects software, prospective employers in the film and video industry will still want to see if your work has the substance to back up the effects.