How to Network in the Film Industry

No matter what industry you work in, people will tell you that networking is important. And it is! Networking is more than just meeting new people. It is the process of building and maintaining connections or relationships with people in your industry. With today’s competitive job markets, fewer and fewer people are getting hired from a traditional job listing. Sometimes there are thousands of applicants competing to get one job, so the odds are not in your favor. You will have the best success finding new opportunities through your connections and relationships. If you want to increase your chances of getting hired, working with new people, or opening yourself up to new opportunities in the entertainment industry, continue reading!

Etiquette and What to Keep in Mind Before Networking

While you might meet new people every day, the art of networking is more than simply introducing yourself. You are trying to leave a lasting impression that will hopefully lead to a long-lasting professional relationship and perhaps a true friendship. 

Please keep these in mind when going into networking opportunities:

1. Be Genuinely Interested - When you are talking to other people, they can tell when you aren’t paying attention or disinterested. When you are trying to build a connection, make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. They are people too, and don’t want to feel like they are being used. Listening is the best way to do this. Be genuine in trying to get to know them. This will not only help you leave a good impression but also maybe make a new friend. 

2. Ask them Questions - Don’t start talking to someone only about yourself without getting to know them as well. A relationship goes two ways, so you want them to feel heard, and the more you know about them, the stronger you can build the relationship. You can ask them about their day, their work, or their hobbies. 

3. Have an Elevator Pitch - Before you start meeting people, you should have a way to “sell yourself.” It is important to know who you are and what you want so that when you are introducing yourself to another person, they can get a clear picture from one conversation of what kind of person you are. It does not have to be super elaborate; however, you want to make sure you tell them what you want them to know about you, be it if you are a hard worker or looking to branch out to new types of photography. There are many ways to create an elevator pitch, so make it personal. Make sure to practice this because the more you practice, the better your pitch will become.

4. Find Valuable Connections -  While anyone can become a valuable connection, if given the opportunity you should try to make valuable connections. This means if there is a certain person who works for a company that you would love to work for, someone whose brain you would love to pick, or has some experience that you want to learn from, you should try to connect with them. It might seem daunting, but if you happen to be in the same room as them or have their contact information, it can’t hurt to introduce yourself. This said, you should never discount a connection with someone who might not be working in your industry or is currently working in a lower position because they could one day become a valuable connection.

5. Use Respect and Read the Room - This may be the biggest and most important thing to keep in mind. Never try to force a connection or conversation, and be respectful of people’s time. Certain environments are not the best to get to know someone. If it is an event where mingling and having conversations is encouraged, go for it! But if it is a situation where people are presently engaging with something, such as watching a screening, that will not be the best time to try to talk to them. With that, certain environments will have different social expectations– some will be more professional and others will be more casual. Make sure to watch the way you speak or interact with others. You have to use your understanding of the event and what you observe from others to determine the best way to interact with others at the event respectfully. And be patient. If the current moment isn’t the best time to talk to the person you would like to talk to, an opportunity to talk to them might arise later. 

6. Finally, Be Confident - When you are at networking events, people want to get to know new people. It may be easier to hang back with the people you know, but have courage and introduce yourself to new people. You can start with small talk and build from there. 

There are many more things to keep in mind with networking, such as why you are trying to expand your network or what opportunities you are looking for. Networking in the film industry is crucial so keep these tips in mind. Don’t forget that building relationships should not be transactional or one-sided, so be sincere while networking.

Where to Network in Person:

There are so many places where people can network in the film industry. From professionals to students, these are some great places to build your network:

1. Festivals - Whether your film has made it into the festival or you are just a spectator, many festivals offer networking events. At festivals you are surrounded by many like-minded creatives so take the opportunity to get to know them and their work. 

2. Meet-ups - Many networking events and mixers happen in various places that help connect filmmakers and entertainment professionals. You can find them on Eventbrite, Facebook groups, and other social media platforms. Some may be better than others; however, these are great opportunities to meet filmmakers in your area who have similar interests as you.

3. Union and Guild Events - The major unions and guilds in the entertainment industry such as the Producers Guild of America (PGA), Directors Guild of America (DGA), Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-Aftra often run many events for their members such as networking events, mentoring programs, panels, screenings, guest speakers, demos, experiences, and awards. While many of these events are limited to only guild members, they often look for volunteers to help out at these events so students can still have the opportunity to go to these events to get a direct line to what is going on in the industry and the opportunity to meet working professionals. 

4. On Set - Working on set is one of the easiest and best ways to make connections with new people. Even when you are working in the smallest roles like a Production Assistant, you are meeting other people who are working in the industry, so get to know the people you are working for and with, as they can become future connections to your next jobs. Being on set also lets you show your skill sets. If you do good work, it can leave a good lasting impression of yourself that these people on your set will remember, and they might have other opportunities for you. 

5. Workshops or Classes - Being a student is the easiest way to build your network. If you are in film school, most of your classmates are going into the industry, and some will be your future collaborators if you aren’t already collaborating with them. Work on projects with different people and build yourself a good reputation so others will know your work and want to work with you even after college. Even if you aren’t going to get a film degree, there are many different classes and workshops that help young filmmakers grow their skills. 

6. Informal Coffees - Sit down with an acquaintance, a friend of a friend in the industry, an alumnus from your school, or a person you would like to work with and have a conversation over coffee or tea. Coffee culture is big in the entertainment industry and is the best way to have a one-on-one conversation with someone. While many industry professionals get very busy, if they have time, they will often be very willing to sit down with new creatives and see what you have going on. While these might be informal meetings, you want to make sure to go into the meeting prepared knowing basic information about the person you are meeting, what you are trying to get out of the meeting, and have some work that you are currently doing to tell them about. 

Networking Online

In the 21st century, there are so many more ways to meet new people. Networking over the internet is only growing, and it is often where people will find new collaborators today. Similar etiquette and things to keep in mind apply to virtual networking; however, there are a few other things to keep in mind. Make your messages personal and keep your messages digital-friendly– proofread for spelling and grammar, write concise messages, and be easy to understand. Make sure to respect people’s virtual spaces and not overdo your communication if it is not being reciprocated. Keep it friendly but professional. 

Here are some of the best ways to network virtually:

1. Social Media - Such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or LinkedIn. Each platform will have different ways of communicating and etiquette between users, but don’t be afraid to reach out to your favorite creatives and connect with them. Facebook groups are very popular in bringing together creatives from certain geological areas, focuses, or departments, creating a space where you can see what other people are working on as well as learn about any opportunities to work with other people on their projects. 

2. Portfolio - Creating a virtual portfolio, like a website, is beneficial to many creatives to have something to show future collaborators what sort of work you have done. Creating your portfolio for the creative industry is a great way to showcase your work and help other creatives find you on the internet. 

3. Industry Networking Websites - Many different sites offer training and job opportunities for creatives, such as Stage 32 or Mandy. If you are looking to connect with more creators, share your creativity, and build your network digitally, joining Auteurnet is for you. 

After Networking Events

Networking and building connections never end. Make sure to keep your information up to date on your contact sheet, social media, and portfolios. You want people to have the most up-to-date information about you and projects you recently did or are currently working on. 

Keep your contacts organized. Make sure you have a way of remembering the people you are meeting and connecting with them. Important information to remember is their name, the company they work for, their job or role, their contact information, how you met them, and what you talked about. Some other information that might be relevant to maintaining a good relationship with them is if you have any mutual friends, common hobbies, and any other events or opportunities you might see them to continue talking to them. 

Make sure you follow up with them so you don’t lose the connection. This will help them remember you after the event. Consistency is key so reach out to them every once in a while to update them on what you have been doing and learn what they are doing. You can do this by connecting on social media, in an email, or catching up in person. 

Learning how to network and build relationships will give you the best chance of finding new jobs and opportunities. But more than that, turning your connections into genuine relationships and friendships is the best way to not only advance your career but also connect more deeply with your art and creativity. As Amanda Cowan puts it in How to Build Your Media List, “Connect, network, and befriend.” 

Learn more about Auteurnet and how we can help you build your creative community here.