Ten Things You Should Know Before Pursuing a Career in Entertainment

I am often asked this question, what do I need to do to prepare for a career in film or television. That’s why the last class I teach in my film class is about this very subject. Perhaps you have taken a class or two on film or television production. Maybe you are a high school student who has a passion for film or you are someone looking for a career change. It’s never too early to start planning and preparing if you are serious about pursuing a career in media.

I think the first place to start is to examine if you have been called by God into media and entertainment. One of my mentors told me a long time ago “God has a plan for your life. The trick is discovering what that plan is.” So is God’s plan for you to go to Hollywood to make movies or television programs? How do you know?

There are no easy answers. This is a journey that will require some time and effort on your part. So I will offer you some points to consider. Your calling usually lies at the intersection of your passions, dreams and strengths. For most of us, it will take some time to clearly see God’s calling and plan for our lives. I would suggest reading Experiencing God, Knowing and Doing the Will of God by Henry T. Blackaby and Claud V. King. It’s one of the best books I have ever read on the subject.

But in the meantime as you are exploring what God’s will is for your life, here are ten suggestions that will help you prepare for a career in media.

1. Thanks to the digital revolution, you have access to a film school in your DVD player. Today’s DVDs offer a wealth of information and resources about the filmmaking process. Most DVDs offer a commentary track featuring, in some cases, the director, producer, cinematographer, and actors discussing the creative process behind the movie. Before DVDs this type of information was hard to find. I often ask my students if they listen to the commentaries or watch the special features on their DVDs. I’m surprised how few actually have. If you are serious about a career in film and TV, you should be taking advantage of the commentaries and the behind-the-scenes features.

And don’t just watch the usual suspects such as the latest popular Hollywood blockbusters. Diversify your choices. Check out the critically acclaimed films, such as art house and independent features. Chances are when you first start out in the film business, you will be working with a low budget. So why aren’t you watching independent films? Doesn’t that make sense? Learn how they did it. Forget about special effects and big explosions and learn how to tell a good story.

For those of you are thinking about a videographer or editor, I would recommend turning off the sound and concentrating on the visuals. For example, you’ll notice the editing process of how scenes are cut together, how transitions are handled between scenes, pacing, and the use of coverage shots.

2. Get around people who love media, film and television. Is there a movie being shot in your home town? One of your best resources is to call your local film commission. Find out what’s going on. Maybe you can volunteer so you can get some experience. Don’t expect anything big such as assisting the director. The point is you want to be on the set watching how a film is made.

If no movie is being shot in your town, there are other alternatives to check out. Think about your local cable access studio or your church video team. They are always looking for volunteers. What about joining a 48-hour film project team? It’s another good way to get some practical experience. What about a local production company? Perhaps, you can line up an internship. The point is, you are not going to get paid. But more valuable than that is you want to get around people who share your passion. Opportunity knocks for those who are willing to pursue it. Don’t expect it to come looking for you.

Part 2 Thursday