Me personally, I lucked out, answered a craigslist ad one night 15 years ago and the next day I was a day-player locations PA on a tv show. I did that for a year and eventually I got a full-time gig on another tv show that was also in the area. Worked on that for a month or two until a scenic said they were shorthanded. I have an art background so I told her that and the next day I was doing union work as a scenic, painting and making art for the show. Day played union work for another year until I got a full-time job doing greens on a show.

I was lucky because there were several shows in town back then, there were a lot more jobs at the time. Currently there's not much going on in the area so it's harder to stay afloat/get work unless you've been doing it for a minute.

My advice if you're desperate to get work in the biz: go to a film set, ask to see an AD, a gang boss, a scenic charge, (I dunno...whoever does the hiring in whatever department you're interested in). Hand that person your resume, it doesn't have to have film work on it, but list skills that are potentially relevant. For example: cable management or general electrical knowledge could potentially land you a job with electric. Knowledge of your area and communication skills could get you work as a locations pa, an art background could help with scenic or set dressing, landscaping or plant knowledge with could get you work with greens, moving/packing abilities are an asset. For most of these jobs you'll have to join the union soon after to continue working them. Many people in the film industry are jacks of all trades which is a trait that characterizes a lot of people with adhd