Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Movie industry

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Expert: - 5/18/2004


Question
I'm a student at ASU writing a movie script.  What is my best way to get it looked at by people when I finish it?  And what is my best chance of finding my first job in the movie industry?

Answer
Brandon,

Thanks for writing. Sorry it's taken so long for me to respond. I was on a shoot out of state and didn't have a chance until now to write.

As an unknown writer, you need to tell everyone and anyone that you're a writer, that you have a completed screenplay, and what the story is about. You never know when someone you speak to will know someone or be related to someone who is important and has connections or clout in this business. Success in this industry is all about relationships, having contacts, and knowing how to use those contacts to your best advantage.

Secondly, getting an agent will helo you get meetings at studios and with production companies to whom you can pitch your screenplay.

It may take time, but eventually you'll get the word out and people will begin to ask to read your screenplay. Keep at it.

As far as finding your first job in film, what kind of job do you seek?

Phil

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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Phil Nemy

Expertise

I am a motion picture and television producer with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. I am also the author of the book GET A REEL JOB: Finding Your First Job In The Motion Picture Industry In Los Angeles. I can answers questions on a variety of subjects about careers in film from acting to directing to crew work, getting into the unions, successful strategies for networking, etc.

Experience

Former VP, Production for The Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group Supervised production on such films as ARMAGEDDON, THE PRINCESS DIARIES, REMEMBER THE TITANS, PEARL HARBOR, CON AIR, ENEMY OF THE STATE, THE ROCK, CRIMSON TIDE, COYOTE UGLY, A CIVIL ACTION, ROMY & MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, NOTHING TO LOSE, EDDIE and others. Worked as an actor, stage manager, director on broadway and regional theater as well as L.A.' Equity-waiver scene. Former Associate Artistic Director of Los Angeles Equity-Waiver theater.

Organizations
Director's Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, Actor's Equity Association

Education/Credentials
BFA in Acting/Directing from Carnegie Mellon University.

Past/Present Clients
I've worked with such filmmakers as Jerry Bruckheimer, Tony Scott, Steve Zaillian, Scott Rudin, Garry Marshall, Frank Marshall, Michael Bay, etc.

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