Expert: Phil Nemy - 9/22/2008

Question
Hi Phil,

I'm a recent film school graduate who's focus is production design.  I have
been unemployed for over a month and am having trouble finding my start.  
Ideally, I'd like to work on smaller projects as a production designer, but I've
been applying to production assistant jobs, art swing jobs, and a number of
other random positions, with no luck so far.  I've established a website to
host my reel, resume, etc. but again, I've had no luck so far.

Are there agents that work with recent graduates to find work?  Where is the
best place to find work as a newcomer to the industry?  

Any advice you could offer would be much appreciated.

Take care,

Dylan Walker
www.dylan-walker.com


Answer
Dylan,

Thanks for writing. You're not going to be hired as a production designer on a film or TV show coming right out of film school. You're doing the right thing by looking for entry-level work. The key thing when starting one's career right out of film school is to take any art dept work, EVEN IF IT DOESN'T PAY! Work for free on a few projects, even low, low, low, no-budget projects. You want to start developing your skills, meeting people, showing what you can do, making contacts. You may have to do that for free on the first couple of gigs, as your work will speak for itself and you'll eventually get "hired" and make money.

Look on the many industry sites (media-match.com, entertainmentcareers.net, mandy.com, showbizjobs.com, craigslist.com) as they often have postings for jobs that pay little if nothing at all, but it gives you a credit you can add to a resume, it shows your working, it gives you a chance to meet people, and who knows where that will take you.

DON'T take any job - meaning a PA job in wardrobe, or in publicity, etc. Try and focus on Art Dept, Set Decorating, or Styling jobs. ONLY take non-department jobs if nothing else is coming your way. Climb the right ladder at the outset so that you don't delay the inevitable.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil