Expert: Phil Nemy - 2/5/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hey Phil,

I read through a slew of questions people have asked you, but saw mostly acting advice. So if you have
already answered this question previously, I apologize.

I just graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Telecommunications (MSU is one of the few
Big 10 schools that axed its production program years ago and I didn't figure out I wanted to be in the
entertainment industry until I was already well into my schooling). Needless to say, I'm having a hell of a
time trying to land a PA job in Los Angeles. I've applied to dozens and haven't even gotten a call. I've got
an awesome resume and have good experience, as far as living in Michigan goes, including Producing two
indy films, Directing one, working for Ricochet/ABC for a casting call, Technical Directing a TV show, and
ACing for a short out in LA.

I read/heard from a friend that if you don't live in LA, then most employers will toss your resume out right
away, is that true in your experience? I definitely want to move out there but lack the funds to do so at this
juncture in my life - I graduated in December with a quarter to my name, literally. I'm saving that sucker
so I can frame it when I make it in the entertainment industry. Is it impossible to get a job offer living in a
different state? Is there anything that I'm overlooking here?

I'm also wondering about what to do in the mean time before I can move out West, which will probably be
at least a year. I'm contemplating the idea of working for a Detroit news station (which would suck/be
horrible pay) so I'm still working in production, or I'm thinking about getting a labor-intensive job that
pays a hell of a lot better so I can save more. Will working out of the industry to save some money affect
my chances of employment later? I'm pretty much lost as hell at this point, and any advice would be greatly
appreciated.

Thanks,

Ryan

ANSWER: Ryan,

Thanks for writing. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you don't live in Los Angeles, you don't have a chance in hell of anyone in Los Angeles hiring you. You NEED to be here in order to be taken seriously. Simply because there are at least 1000 of you here in LA already actively pursuing the jobs you are interested in -- and they can start today. Can you? No, because you don't live here.

If you seriously want to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, you can't do it from afar. You must be in LA.

Will working outside of the industry while in Michigan to save money affect your chances. Yes. The longer you delay, the tougher it will get. This is a young business. Employers tend NOT to hire people in their late 20's for entry-level positions. They see that you're late 20's and they want to know what the heck you've been doing and why you waited so long to get started.

Again, sorry to give you such negative comments, but I'd be doing you a dis-service if I lied to you.

Good luck!

Phil


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Phil,

I want to thank you for replying to my question so quickly and for the advice.
No need to apologize, your advice has confirmed what I had
previously conceived about hiring.

I'm not sure if I was clear on the second part of my question previously -
regarding waiting/saving to move to LA. I'm only planning on
working in Michigan for a year, maybe two at most. I graduated college in
three and a half years, so I'll be around 22 or 23 when I pick up
and move to the City of Angels. In the meantime though, is it a better idea to
continue working in some sort of production (in my case,
most likely news), or would you advise that I take a job out of my industry
that pays better so I can move sooner?

I'm leaning towards taking a job that will pay around 35-40 grand so I can
just bank that (I'm living with my parents and paying low rent to
save) and move, but a part of me is worried about how potential employers
will view my resume if my most recent job is not industry
related. I just want to make sure I do the right thing so early on in my life.

As for when I do move out there, I have a question about landing a job. I
already have a slew of websites bookmarked for production jobs,
but as an industry professional, do you have any advice as to finding work
and networking? I'm guessing I can't just walk into the lobby of a
production company, especially one as renowned as, say Paramount or
Universal, and ask for a job. I've got the internet on lock down, but I
know a lot of jobs come from people you know, not what you know. I want to
make sure all the bases are covered so when I get out there
I've got a solid game plan and a mission.

I'm about to stock up on literature on this issue. Do you know if your book,
Get a Reel Job, is only available through online stores, or is it
carried in large-scale local bookstores as well?

Thanks again,

Ryan

Answer
Ryan,

Thanks for the clarification. If the goal is to make as much money as you can BEFORE you get to LA, then if you can find a non-industry job that will earn you more money, take it! Plenty of people come to LA with very little experience and are still able to find work and build a career, so don't think working outside of the industry will hurt you.

You're theory is correct when you say most people are hired because of the network of relationships they have. Depending upon what you wish to do as a career will dictate how best to go about finding work. Get into a networking group or two so you can meet people. Start working NOW on your personal pitch so you know how to sell yourself. Make a target list of people whom you want to meet and ask them for an informational interview, a powerful tool.

My book can be purchased through my website at www.reeljob.net or through Samuel French Bookstores in Los Angeles.

Phil