We recently reached out to our lively community, where we asked folks to share their personal stories about how they landed their first industry connections in film and video editing. The response was fantastic! FasterGig members from all walks of life chimed in with a diverse array of experiences, each one shedding light on the crucial role networking plays in getting your foot in the door.
This article pulls together those stories, offering a friendly and comprehensive look at the myriad ways people kickstart their careers in this dynamic industry. These narratives not only shed light on the varied paths people take to enter the field but also highlight the indispensable role of networking in forging a successful career in film editing. From film school encounters to serendipitous meetings, each story adds a piece to the complex puzzle of building a career in this dynamic industry.
Breaking Into the Industry: The Power of Networking
Networking is a cornerstone of career development, particularly in creative fields like film editing. Members of the r/editors subreddit on Reddit recently shared their stories on how they made their first connections in the industry, providing a diverse tapestry of experiences that underscore the variety of paths to entering the film and video editing world.
moredrinksplease: Began in a small post house, moving up from post PA to more technical roles.
Diverse Paths to Making Connections
One common thread among the responses is the role of educational institutions. Many first connections were made through film schools, showcasing the importance of educational environments not just for learning skills but also for networking. For instance, a user recounted a serendipitous meeting with a professor in an editing lab which led to a junior editor position and subsequently a series of small jobs. This highlights the benefit of being in the right place at the right time and using one’s academic setting as a launching pad.
Another prevalent method was through personal relationships and somewhat random encounters. A particularly striking story shared by a user named BobZelin recounts a journey starting from a personal setback, leading to a determined cold-calling of companies listed in the Yellow Pages, and eventually landing a job that would kickstart his career in sound engineering. Bob’s story is a testament to the grit and persistence needed to make it in the industry.
The Role of Chance and Initiative
Several anecdotes involved chance encounters that led to significant opportunities. For example, one user got their break through a casual conversation about photography with a customer at an Apple store, where they worked. This encounter not only changed the trajectory of their career but also highlights the importance of expressing one’s career aspirations in everyday conversations.
Sn4tch: Gained an assistant editor position after repairing an iPhone for a director of photography he met at an Apple store.
recklessMG: Developed a career as an animation editor starting from a casual meeting at a college event.
c8bb8ge: Connected with a small media company needing a junior editor through a film school professor.
Lessons and Tips
From these varied stories, a few lessons emerge:
- Be Proactive: Opportunities often come from going the extra mile or taking the initiative to talk about your career goals with others.
- Use Your Network: Even loose connections, like friends of friends or acquaintances met at social events, can lead to job opportunities.
- Stay Open and Adaptable: Many found their first gigs in unexpected places, reinforcing the importance of adaptability and openness to different pathways.
- Persistence Pays: Repeatedly, those who were willing to start at the bottom or take on internships, often unpaid, were able to climb their way up through the industry.
Here are the summarized comments from the r/editors subreddit on how various users made their first connections in the industry:
- ppondpost: Met a filmmaker through a wife’s coworker’s husband during film school and got a couple of gigs from the interaction.
- c8bb8ge: Connected with a small media company needing a junior editor through a film school professor.
- BobZelin: Pursued sound companies after a personal setback, leading to a series of tough rejections before finally landing a job through persistent cold-calling and leveraging a friend’s expertise in electronics.
- sakinnuso: Commented positively on BobZelin’s detailed story.
- cmmedit: Expressed appreciation for BobZelin’s narrative.
- post_nyc: Made a connection through a high school buddy which led to meeting further industry contacts.
- SmilingWatcher: Met someone working in broadcast through their mother’s workplace.
- Sn4tch: Gained an assistant editor position after repairing an iPhone for a director of photography he met at an Apple store.
- itsinthedeepstuff: Volunteered for a video project through a charity board connection, leading to further exposure and experience.
- tipsystatistic: Started as an assistant at a post house shared by a family friend and later got a job through connections made there.
- austen_317: Leveraged a social event to meet a manager who helped him use his broadcasting education to secure a job.
- OtheL84: Mentioned a well-connected co-worker at their first job as pivotal.
- recklessMG: Developed a career as an animation editor starting from a casual meeting at a college event.
- moredrinksplease: Began in a small post house, moving up from post PA to more technical roles.
- HankBizzaro: Successfully applied to post houses with a strong technical background from high school.
- detached03: Took a freelance route filming sports and weddings which led to more consistent gigs.
- ryatsa: Started as a camera operator from a high school AV class and built a network that sustained his career.
- 8bampowzap8: Met a showrunner at an event, leading to a longstanding collaborative relationship.
- Opening-Cheetah-7645: Progressed from a PA to leading video projects at a fashion company, eventually going freelance.
- cucumbersundae: Worked unpaid as an intern and PA before getting significant roles through persistence and networking.
- blaspheminCapn: Shared a humorous analogy about unexpected networking paths, comparing it to the backstory of “Reservoir Dogs.”
- Bobzyouruncle: Discussed his career progression from internships to various roles in editing, emphasizing the importance of networking and being easy to work with.
- HankBizzaro and tayleteller: Provided personal reflections on the importance of being personable and the frustrations of unrecognized potential, respectively.
- Nauruu and indie_cutter: Briefly mentioned how film school and proactive networking helped start their careers.
Conclusion
The stories from the FasterGig community not only provide inspiration but also practical pathways for others looking to break into the film and video editing industry. Networking, whether through structured environments like school and workshops or through more casual, everyday interactions, plays an integral role in career development. These narratives collectively underline an essential industry truth: often, it’s not just what you know, but who you know—and how you engage with them—that can set the stage for a successful career.
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