5 TIPS TO GET A JOB WITH A VIDEO PRODUCTION COMPANY

So you did it. You got that first video gig. It can be unnerving being the new guy, but there are a few things you can keep in mind to make the most of your first opportunity. Stick to these five key behaviors and you can be sure you’ll keep working well past that first day on set.

This past January, I moved from my home in Raleigh, NC to Atlanta, GA to find work in the video production industry. I knew very few people in the city, and none of them knew anyone in the production field. I was forced to generate all my own contacts and leads for potential jobs. When one of my many cold calls finally paid off, I found myself facing a full day on a real set: something I had done in school, but had practically no real world experience with. Despite being a little green, I knew that what I didn’t know I could make up for with the right attitude and work ethic. Spoiler Alert! That company was ECG Productions and I still work here today.

1. Work To Learn and Learn To Work
Whether your first real job is paid or not, remember that you aren’t here for the money. You’re here for the experience and the knowledge. Sure, just by showing up you’ll get a credit for your resume, but if you want to keep moving forward, then you need to actually learn. You gain knowledge by working, not just by showing up.  Pay attention and glean everything that you can! You should be learning while you’re working, and you should be working while you’re learning.  Don’t stop doing either that first day.  Also don’t stop on the second day either. In fact, never stop doing both of those things.

2. Ask Questions
Keeping #1 in mind, you need to actively engage others in order to learn. Just make sure you don’t impede the actual work being done. Take note of things that you don’t understand and follow up when there’s a non-disruptive opportunity to chat. If you’re wondering why the DP just made an impromptu lens swap, don’t ask him in the middle of the shot.  But you can definitely ask him as you’re breaking down the set. Asking questions can be particularly important when it comes to tasks you’ve been assigned. If the gaffer asks you to grab him a Cardellini from the grip truck, and you don’t know what it is, don’t nod and then hope you find the answer on the way. It’s ok to ask for a description of what you’re looking for. It’ll save you both time. Just make sure the next time someone asks, you’ve retained the information!

3. Listen To Everything
Keep your ears open! Never tune out. You never know what useful piece of information you’ll hear, no matter how unrelated it might seem. On my first job, I overheard one of the producers mention that he prefers emails in bullet points. When I followed up by email the next day, I absolutely wrote to him in bullet points.  I’m pretty much convinced that’s the reason I was called in to work with him again.

4. Offer To Carry As Much Gear As You Can, As Often As Possible
There are so many different pieces of equipment used in video production, and in such a technical field there’s always something new on set. Getting your hands on as much gear as possible really helps with familiarity. Learn what goes in which cases. Learn where cases go in the warehouse. Learn how everything unpacks and packs back up.  It’s a simple concept that the more time you spend moving all the gear, the more you’ll remember what it is and where it goes. You’d be surprised at how many people waste this opportunity just to save themselves some manual labor. Don’t be lazy! If you’re on location, offer to drive back and help unload at the studio. Get your hands on it!

5.  Make Them Wonder How They Ever Did Anything Without You
Be invaluable! In any way possible. You know how you can’t imagine how people worked before smartphones? You want to be the smartphone! Everything I’ve said so far is only the tip of the iceberg. Think of ways you can add value to your prospective employers’ operation and don’t wait to be asked to prove it. Don’t hold back because you think you aren’t paid enough. Let them know what you bring to the table by clearly displaying your value at every opportunity. The money will come in time, because they won’t be able to deny that you’re worth it.

David Wappel