Sequence 64ers, there are a number of ways to break into the business, and today we have some options available to us that previous generations didn’t. When considering which path (or combination of paths) to take, it’s of course important to assess your goals (becoming a writer, becoming a director, working at a talent agency, etc.) and pick a route that best suites your ultimate aspirations. Depending on what you want to do, this may limit your range of paths from which to choose, but here I’m speaking primarily to writers and directors who have the full range open to them. As far as an endorsement of a single path goes, I’m not far enough down any road to judge yet. What I can tell you is that I’m trying a variety of paths simultaneously—networking, spec scripts, film contests, webisodes—and I can tell you why.
Networking (via email and phone calls), writing spec scripts, participating in film contests and making a web series are all activities that can be done from virtually anywhere. You don’t have to pick up and move to LA, which is convenient for those of us with family, friends and significant others on the East Coast. However, for writers like myself, LA holds a vast wealth of opportunities, so I’m certainly not ruling it out and may move there in time for hiring season next spring. Also as a writer, I’m trying not to focus my energy solely on writing; I’m making sure to get involved in some production, attempting to get what I’ve written produced, if only by friends on a small budget. This will hopefully give me something to “show” when it’s not appropriate to hand someone a lengthy script. As Rod Lurie (director of The Contender and Resurrecting the Champ) told us on his visit to Syracuse this past year, speaking of unsolicited material, “No one will read your script.” He repeated it three times for emphasis. “But they will watch your DVD.” He championed making short films to gain attention. Similarly a web series, as good friend John Morgera (Pure Genius Pictures) and I plan to make, may serve as valuable exposure, sort of like our generation’s TV update of a film at a festival. And web series can be easily viewed from anywhere, which is a plus. Yet one of my main reasons for trying diverse avenues is not that it yields the highest probability of success, but that it’s fun. Instead of only getting coffee, I get to have some pull on set, see my scripts come to life, and get coffee. This may not be as financially rewarding as other options, but it’s more artistically fulfilling. And hopefully it’s good practice for one day living out the dream on a Hollywood set.
Now days, it is true that films, spec scripts, web series can be made from any where. Los Angeles is great, I used to live there. I am going to try the NYC thing because I haven’t done that yet and also I am one of those with family in NY. It is great to keep an open mind and figure out eventually the path your life will go. I believe if you want to achieve success in the film/tv business as a writer, director, producer- you can do so from almost anywhere. If it is good enough- someone will recognize it, even if you filmed something in the middle of no where or a non-popular city. As a matter of fact, more independent filmmakers are going to places other than Los Angeles to film because 1. Cheaper 2. Less competitive 3. By being less competitive, you end up gathering more resources to help with your film and etc, avoiding Hollywood politics.
But yeah, everyone has their own path for sure.