Expert: Phil Nemy - 4/20/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Mr Nemy!
 I have no experience in film/tv and don't live in ca or nyc.  I have no desire to act.  But I have a strong love for movies/tv and can't help but think how fun and rewarding it would be to work on a film or tv set.  Just to be involved with the process of film/tv/photo shoot seems very interesting.  Is it possible to obtain a career with not having experience and what positions could I apply for -- with nothing but a love for film/tv and a willingness to learn?

Thank you so much for your time.

ANSWER: JC,

Thanks for writing. I'd like to answer your question with an analogy.

If your kitchen sink was clogged and you didn't know how to repair it, you'd probably call a Plumber, right?

Imagine if the person that came to your door to repair your sink said to you, "Hi, I don't have any experience or training in plumbing, but I've always been fascinated by plumbing and really enjoy watching plumbers work and just being around plumbers, so I thought if I could get under your sink, it'd be really cool and maybe by watching, I might be able to learn enough that one day I might actually be able to repair you sink."

If he said that, would you hire him?

Probably not.

With this understanding, let's look at your situation. You have no experience or training in film or TV, buy you have great interest in it, and would like to be on the set of a film or TV show. Why would the producers of a production want to hire you? What do you bring to the table?

So, the answer is, if you would like to work in film and/or TV, you MUST have training and experience.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil

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

QUESTION: Mr. Nemy,

Thank you very much for such a quick response.  Do you have any suggestions on what type of career I could have on film/tv set that does not involve acting, besides directing or producing???  And one more question -- Do you think taking film courses (even though I am not interested in producing/directing) at a community college would be a good start?  Just to be in that type of environment.  BTW--I completely understand your analogy.  Thank you!!

Answer
JC,

By ALL MEANS, take classes! Education ONLY helps. So definitely enroll in classes.

I can't tell you what career to seek - consider purchasing a copy of my book, GET A REEL JOB as it has a section defining all of the typical roles of crew people on a film or TV show. After reading that, you'll have a better idea of what careers might interest you. My book is available at Amazon.com.

Phil