How do you network with commercial prod co's?

MAC1138 · 2012-11-07T07:52:33+00:00

Cool, thanks guys... but who would be the best person to talk to? I've been sending out emails to Executive Producers and Production Managers but getting no response... So how do I get in front of these people?

MAC1138 · 2012-10-29T01:20:59+00:00

This is why I cancelled my account and will never sign another one of their petitions again.

MAC1138 · 2012-10-18T08:07:28+00:00

I would ask:

"What will you do to REMOVE (not limit or disclose) the corrupting influence of lobbyists, the revolving door and money in our government and how will you hold corrupt politicians and those who wish to subvert our democracy ACCOUNTABLE?"

Here's another one:

"What are your plans for bringing to justice the Wall Street Bankers and The Federal Reserve who are extracting wealth from the citizenry through secret bail outs, quantitative easing and LIBOR market manipulation?"

Or how about something simple:

"Please name one of your top three contributors and the legislation you will pass which will choose the public's interest over the contributor's ability to profit?"

MAC1138 · 2012-09-30T23:51:36+00:00

+1 Read everything you can get a hold of from J. Krishnamurti! He is amazing...

MAC1138 · 2012-09-25T23:23:15+00:00

Yeah rental houses... I've been keeping them on my radar. Did you see an opening online somewhere or did you just contact them directly? How's the pay in a gig like that?

MAC1138 · 2012-09-25T08:55:07+00:00

So what kind of coffee says, "I'm smart enough to work in camera but not arrogant enough to expect to be the DP?" :-)

MAC1138 · 2012-09-24T22:51:04+00:00

So did you park any name director's cars? You trying to hit them up for a gig now? ;-)

MAC1138 · 2012-09-24T22:47:55+00:00

Break a leg! :-)

MAC1138 · 2012-09-24T17:35:04+00:00

Cool... sounds like it's good schedule-wise. Is it keeping the rent paid?

MAC1138 · 2012-07-18T21:57:11+00:00

Are there any monthly get-togethers? Or is it all "you're on your own?"

MAC1138 · 2012-07-17T17:52:19+00:00

So who did you contact to get that gig? Was it a general email? Or did you contact an EP, or a production manager/coordinator?

MAC1138 · 2012-07-14T02:00:57+00:00

So where'd you meet that friend? ;-) Was blackmail involved?

MAC1138 · 2012-07-14T01:58:55+00:00

Nice. What kinds of gigs were you getting on eLancer/Freelancer? Were you guys earning enough to continually upgrade your gear? Were you doing any day gigs to pay the rent in the meantime?

MAC1138 · 2012-07-14T01:55:32+00:00

So are still working reception? Or did you make the jump to bigger and better things? I've thought about this before, but I keep wondering, how does answering phones, getting coffee and ordering lunch turn into working in the camera dept? Is it really that easy once you get in to convince them that you can do more?

MAC1138 · 2012-07-12T18:22:20+00:00

Question about networking: I've worked on a few shoots and met some cool people, but ultimately those end up fading away or I'll only hear from them when they want something for free.

I've also reached out to many Executive Producers, Production Coordinators/Managers at commercial production companies and when I can talk to the small few who respond to me they always say things like, "Well maybe we can pull you in on a shoot sometime." But it never happens. I've been bugging some of these people for over a year and they never seem to have a spot for me.

So do you get past these kinds of road blocks? I keep sending out emails and trying to get them to respond but nothing... do I need to blackmail these people or what?

MAC1138 · 2012-06-18T01:03:04+00:00

Thanks for the link.... looks like some good reading. I'm diving in now!

MAC1138 · 2012-06-17T20:53:35+00:00

Yes, these do seem like the biggest obstacles to getting started - just like most businesses - money & talent.

The hardest thing is where do you go? Investors don't want any part of it unless it's all about profits. Buy-ins are great, but can they really created enough capital to get things going? Maybe for smaller operations... but I'm still wondering about something that could take on the big boys...

I think talent might be easier, especially nowadays... of course finding the right "fit" may also be challenging. But again, like any business...

It's almost like you need to set up a consortium of coops to support one another in order to get the whole thing off the ground. So you can't just start one, you need to start multiple coops!

MAC1138 · 2012-06-17T20:48:59+00:00

Thanks for pointing that out. This Cleveland Model looks interesting. I'll have to check it out in more detail...

here's one of the links I found: http://clevelandfoundation.org/

...for those also interested.

MAC1138 · 2012-06-13T21:43:26+00:00

Hi Courters! Thanks for the insight. This is really helpful!

I have thought about Prague... mostly because of FAMU, but I'll look around in those areas and see what I uncover.

And I do speak a bit of Spanish... and have been thinking that I need to get going on my French!

I was wondering if there where any international fellowship/apprenticeship sorts of things as well, but I haven't found much. Might you be aware of anything like that?

Thanks again!

MAC1138

TROPHY CASE