Guerilla Tactics

There are many different paths to take in the entertainment industry that can lead you to success, and no one can really say which is the best. Different tactics work for different people, and sometimes, it’s just about being in the right place at the right time. That was one of the biggest things that was stressed to me in my final months of film school, as I was trying to prepare myself to break out into the scary realm of job hunting. As unfair as it seems, my classmates and I were taught that sometimes it doesn’t have anything to do with how well your resume looks, sometimes it’s simply about being around when someone needs help. And sometimes it’s just about sticking out to a person; having a certain trait that makes them remember you.  We were told that nine times out of ten they most likely would not sift through a giant pile of resumes on a blockbuster film searching for production assistants. They might take a stack of them and choose the five best looking resumes or most memorable people, but not all would be meticulously scoured as they sought out those with the best credentials. And even then, they may not be looked at at all and two people who happened to be near set that day may be chosen for the job because they were there when the opportunity arose. Sometimes in the world of film, there’s just no time for searching, so you choose someone in the here and now that can assist you.

In order to help with this, you can employ some less traditional though no less successful tactics. Namely, just show up. While not every production will be as welcoming to those wandering by, or eagerly jumping on them to help out, the more productions you put yourself around the higher your chances are of someone needing a helping hand. Don’t purposely get in the way, but ask around to see if there is anyone you can help. Bring your resume just in case. You don’t have to carry it around and flash it in everyone’s face, but make sure you have it handy to prove you know what you are talking about (sometimes no one cares if you do, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.)  This is a lot easier to do than you think, especially if you live in high traffic production areas such as Los Angeles or New York.

My second night living in Brooklyn, I was wandering around my soon-to-be familiar neighborhood with my sister when we noticed a lot of bright yellow signs posted on the lamp posts around us. Upon looking at them we realized they were shooting notices for Pan Am saying that the streets would be closed off to traffic. Had neither of us had to already work, it would have been very easy for us to walk down to the set and see if they needed some extra hands. The mindset that you need to have is that the worst thing they could have done is say no. And if they do, then you tell them thank you for their time, see if you can leave a resume for the future, and move on. There will be other opportunities for you. But if they say yes, then you have yourself a small gig, a connection, and possibly even some pay.

Just last week an old co-worker of mine happened to be shooting some photos down in DUMBO when she literally wandered onto the set of White Collar. While she had no interest in asking to help with the set for the day, they did welcome her with open arms, all shared a laugh, and she was able to meet and get some pictures of the cast. No one was cruel to her about it, and had her intentions been for set work, there is a highly likely chance they would have said she could stick around, even if it were just to watch for experience.

Another example I was told of this tactic working was when a professor told my class of a former film school student of his who was in downtown LA one day scoping out a particular set he wanted to be on. And in a very bold move (I’m not sure if I recommend being this bold) he climbed the fence to the set and just started working. When they noticed that he wasn’t part of the crew, he handed his resume to the director and ended up becoming his personal production assistant, which is the job he was really seeking. By already proving himself as a worker and impressing the crew over how much he genuinely wanted to be there, they accepted him as part of the team and quickly put him to work. He was able to jump-start a successful film career just by putting himself exactly where he wanted to be.

I can’t guarantee that this will work, but I firmly believe when you are dealing with film, there are no wrong paths. You can never be too shy to try one, if someone says no to you that is okay. However there are sites out there if you think this is a tactic you want to utilize for yourself. The first mainly keeps track of Los Angeles, Louisiana, and New York, but I find it to be almost invaluable if you live in these areas and want to be able to check out a set here and there. Just go to Before the Trailer’s daily filming page. Another resource is On Location Vacations which cover a much more broad range of locations and sightings. And I’m sure there are magazines and periodicals that you can subscribe to or pick up at local newsstands, which may help inform you of larger film projects and when they are coming to your area.