It feels weird giving advice to Sequence 64 because I definitely don’t have ANY real answers just yet — I’m still new to LA, and I’m still trying to figure it all out myself. In this volatile industry, where there’s so much to learn, I’m not sure I’m ever going to have the answers. So, for this post, I’m going to pass along a few bits of advice that I’ve been given from people in the industry, since I’ve been out here:
Pick a job you want to do, and tell everyone about it: People in the business really will want to help you if you’re good at what you do, are hard working, and fun to be around. People will want to help you especially if they think that someday you might be in a position to help them. However, no one can help you unless they know where you’re trying to go and what you’re trying to do. Sound definitive in your answer– its okay if your answer changes down the road. Sounding definitive will give others confidence in you and your abilities.
You have to pay your dues: The reality is that we’re not going to just waltz into the industry and become producers or directors right away. And we are not “too good” to fetch coffee and make copies, even though we have Masters Degrees. Everyone starts at the bottom in this business, so do it willingly, and even offer to do “the shit work” from time to time. Do it with a smile on your face. Fake eagerness for it if you have to. It will show your employers that you understand the process and that you’re willing to make sacrifices to get where you want to be.
Stay loyal, but not too loyal: Switching from job to job is how you move up, both in salary and in title. If you stay at one company for too long, people will begin only seeing you in that one role—whatever it may be. If you love the company you work for, great, and if you can move up there, even greater—but it might be a quicker process for you if you leave that company for a while and then come back in a different role. If you stay stagnant at one company, it will make other people think you’re incapable of working anywhere else, in any other roles. When you do get a chance to get out there and switch companies, try and work on a bunch of different projects until you find your niche; to have cooking shows, game shows, talk shows, documentaries, etc, under your belt, will make you an ideal candidate down the road for any project that may come up through the woodwork.
Hollywood (and the entertainment industry in general) is smaller than you think: Everyone knows everyone (or at least knows someone who does). Make sure that every single person you meet has a positive impression of you, because people talk, and people in Hollywood talk A LOT. People hire their friends, and hire them over and over again. So, especially with our small group of 40 or so, we have to stick together out here in the real world. I know we’re all competitive with each other, but we have to be supportive of each other too. Favors will be repaid in this business, so keep your ties close, and make a conscious effort to keep connected to one another for the long-haul.
Hard work doesn’t go unnoticed: Work your ass off each and every day. Even if you don’t get formally recognized for it, people are going to remember you for your work ethic, and your work ethic is going to be what gets you a job down the road.
My last piece of advice: the real world isn’t as scary as it seems. Make the leap!