Page 1 blog: Changing Career
What do you do when you realise you want to change career? Or what about when you want to change disciplines within the industry?
How do you actually go about jumping ship and setting course for your dream job in Film and TV? Is it too late? Are you too old? Do you have enough experience?
Page 1 has spoken to a few members of thecallsheet.co.uk who have switched careers to give you an idea of how it has been done. Names have been changed or redacted to protect the shy!
CASE STUDY 1: Changing roles
One member had spent nearly ten years working at talent agencies and in production. This person had always had a love of photography, and wanted to become a camera assistant but felt unable to pursue it as a career until they developed sufficient connections.
In order to move from production into the camera department they pulled every favour they could get, said yes to every trainee job and started getting asked back by the DoP’s, focus pullers and loaders (Read the Page 1 blog on networking for more thoughts on that).
In order to step across, this person needed to start again from the bottom. They dropped down in rank and pay; budgeting to survive on less money as they worked up a new ladder. The disadvantage in starting over is balanced out by the contacts already built up from your first job, those contacts will know how hard you work and if you are someone they can recommend.
This person has an enviable contact list and is working with excellent camera teams. They face a tight year or so in terms of money, but they have a head start because of the contacts they have built up, along with their reputation from their former job.
If you are crossing over, you want people backing you with recommendations and support. Research the role and take the opportunities that arise. Let all of your contacts know what you are doing and don’t be afraid to ask them for help.
What about changing from one industry into another? From lawyer to runner and from City trader to Producer, more after the jump......
CASE STUDY 2: Changing Industry
Page 1 spoke to another member who made an even bigger leap. Although we had to practically drag it out of her, the story is a great example, let’s call this person “Sarah”.
“Sarah” was a barrister working for a leading Chambers in Temple, London. She specialised in legal-aid criminal defence and human rights, representing young and vulnerable adults.
She was called to the Bar in 2004 and worked on many human rights cases including (a stint volunteering for ‘Reprieve’ to help with cases such as) assisting in training advocates for Guantanamo Bay tribunals. She was working as a barrister when in 2011, she was struck by a car while on her bicycle and left with very serious injuries.
During her recuperation she was unable to work, leaving more time to think and reflect. During her convalescence, she resolved to commit to a career change and break into the Film and TV industry. While still consulting for law firms in the city, she started to look for running work and continued to return to full health and fitness.
She didn’t know a single person in the industry and started from scratch, applying for entry level work and looking to collaborate on short films (see page1 on networking). Balancing her work as a freelance legal consultant, her tenacity brought her success in getting her initial running work. Starting later in her running career, she has raised some eyebrows, but - she has been able to bring considerable experience and possibly a stronger motivation to persevere.
Following the initial running work, she was recommended for a role working for a major US Drama Series filming in the UK. She was appointed as personal assistant to an A-list US writer/director on recommendation. The mix of her background, industry experience, attitude and ability all counted when being recommended.
Despite her background and coming into the industry later than some, “Sarah” is focused on learning the ropes. There are not many people with her background. With her knowledge, intelligence and desire to learn, she will almost certainly be in demand.
Finally, from the city to the production office. How one runner stood out from the crowd, more after the jump....
CASE STUDY 3: Changing industry Part 2
This is an example from one of the PAGE 1 collectives own experience.
“About 10 years ago, I was working at a company when a runner turned up at the office to drop in a CV. It had no production experience listed, save a few short films. He had spent his last 10 years as a trader in the city. A very successful one too. We booked him for a shoot immediately. Not only was he (evidently) smart, he also had the nous to research us, find the random door in Soho where the office was and physically hand in a CV. The fact that he was over 25 meant we could insure him for Runner/Driving and he knew London well already.”
Not every company will want you turning up on their doorstep, but in a competitive job market, there’s nothing wrong with showing a bit of self-motivation and drive... back to the runner
“We had him on our next jobs for the next six months. Each time we knew we had a reliable guy and a safe pair of hands. He learnt the ropes very quickly and always maintained his professionalism. Once he started adding credits on his CV with us, he starting contacting other production companies. Soon, we couldn’t get hold of him. Bigger and better companies were booking him. He slipped out of view until five years later, when he called to try and book me for a job. He had shot up the ranks to become a producer, a very successful one too.”
The reason for his rapid promotion? He was smart, he had some experience that he could make count and the desire to be the best. Plus he had “An attitude that is not shared by every runner”
Summary
Something you hear from many other people in the industry is that there are no short cuts. You have to put in the hours and learn your craft, even if you start that ladder a little later.
You don’t need a media or film degree. There are 30,000 film and media graduates every single year, lots of employers look for something different.
It can be done and it’s not too late. If you are reading this and bored of your current job or stuck in a rut, it’s not too late to come into the industry or to change lanes within it. Your experience in other fields can be an advantage; so can maturity, experience and common sense. Life is too short to be doing a job you don’t love.
*If any employers want to be put in touch with people mentioned in the first two case studies (so they can offer them long and lucrative contracts), please contact info@thecallsheet.co.ukand your details will be forwarded.