@ mobkeholic

The first thing to do is figure out what it is you PRECISELY want to do in the film industry. Wanting to be a “filmmaker” or “work in the movie business” isn’t enough. Specifically, what job do you want to do? To help figure that out, I suggest reading What I Really Want to Do: On Set in Hollywood which describes all of the jobs on a professional movie set, what it takes to get there, and what life will be like if you make it to that level. Read about the jobs you THINK you want and then decide which direction to take your life.

Internships are very good, particularly to meet industry contacts, but the wrong internship could take you in the wrong direction. Take your time to figure out what it is you truly want to do with your life then find the opportunities that will help you get there.

Also realize that the film industry is struggling right now just like most other industries so opportunities are more limited. The key is to focus on what you want, understand the industry both creatively and in the business sense, then work passionately toward your goal. People in the business are just that… people. So once you figure out what you want to do, do some investigation into who you’d like to “shadow” then contact them. If they’re on a job and are willing, they’ll likely be happy to help you out. Not everyone will, so don’t let those who say “No” discourage you. They may not be working or they might be in a bad mood that day. Just move on to others until you find a “Yes!”