Every person in the film industry needs to be able to network. Networking is how you can contact the people who can have the biggest impact or influence on your career in a business where it's all about whom you know.
What Is Networking and How Does It Benefit You?
Building ties and gaining support among peers, possible colleagues, or other relevant professional figures is the practice of networking. In a public setting, networking brings people from similar or adjacent fields together to bond over shared interests or mutual respect. You can utilize networking to find work, make connections, recruit, and learn more about various facets of your profession.
In the film industry, why is networking so important?
In the film industry, networking is crucial since it allows you to meet peers and people in positions of leadership who can help you further your career. Networking also broadens your social circle and expands your pool of prospects by introducing you to new individuals and assisting you in the development of strong bonds. Making these connections is critical because it puts you in the best position to find your next job in the entertainment industry, where freelance work is common.
9 Film Industry Networking Tips
There are numerous ways to network and get yourself on other people's radar, ranging from professional meetups to casual emails. See the list below for some networking ideas that will help you expand your professional circle:
1. Make a draft of your elevator pitch.
You'll need to prepare for your first networking event. While networking meetings are as formal as job interviews, you are demonstrating your abilities to someone with the hopes of establishing a long-term relationship. Make sure you have business cards, icebreaker questions, and an elevator pitch for the project you're working on when you meet new people. A quick, persuasive speech meant to pique people's interest in a project is known as an elevator pitch.
This pitch is an excellent method to give a sneak peek inside your idea without dominating the conversation. Find out how to make the ideal elevator pitch.
2. Attend events that are relevant to the film industry.
Networking events are frequent for successful networkers. Even those who have made a name for themselves in the film industry continue to network with their colleagues, meeting new people and putting themselves out there for new opportunities. Look on entertainment websites or social media to see if any film-related events are coming to your area. Register for advanced movie screenings, particularly those where the actors or crew will be present to answer questions about the production. These kinds of gatherings draw business aspirants and experts alike. While you're waiting for the movie to start, strike up a conversation with others around you. Hang around in the lobby or at the bar after the screening to make new friends.
3. Make beneficial connections.
It's not about collecting business cards from everyone you meet when you're networking—about it's building meaningful relationships. Sort your contacts into a hierarchy of importance, and put a handful of your most significant professional contacts at the top—these are the people with whom you should keep in touch the most. Take them out for coffee once in a while, contact them once in a while, and follow them on social media throughout the year. Maintain a light, purposeful tone of communication. Contacting them for aid regularly might be off-putting, and it can make your relationship too one-sided, causing them to ignore your calls and messages.
4. Make new friends.
Making connections with a diverse group of people, rather than only those in positions of power, is the goal of networking. You can meet other aspiring actors, writers, filmmakers, and editors through networking. Look for outside-of-entertainment ties when networking. Through the networking process, cultivating a connection can have a significant impact on your professional and personal development.
5. Assist those you know.
It's crucial to aid your connections in any manner you can when it comes to networking. Use whatever you have to show that you care about your connections' success. Offer to proofread a draft of their work if you're a competent proofreader and have a connection who is a scriptwriter. While it is self-serving to aid others just for personal gain, doing so first increases the likelihood that the other party will return the favour in your time of need. It's all about giving and taking in relationships, and it's sometimes better to give first.
6. Listen.
While it's easy to rattle off a list of everything you're working on and your film experience at a networking event, it's also critical to listen to what others have to offer. Active listening demonstrates that you respect your new contact's time and may identify shared interests that can help you create a stronger professional relationship. To improve your communication skills, learn how to practice active listening.
7. Follow-up.
Follow up with a director or producer you met at a networking event within 24 hours. Send them a polite email thanking them for their time and offering to assist them in any way you can to strengthen your relationship and keep you on their radar. Avoid requesting a favour in your email and keep it short and fun. Remember that your purpose is to form relationships, not to be given something.
8. Use the internet to your advantage.
You may use social media to connect with influential people in your field. To stay in touch and keep up with their professional advancement, connect through their LinkedIn profile or other social media sites. Maintain a warm and courteous demeanour, like their postings, and express an interest in what they're doing. Avoid anything that makes it look as if you're harassing your new contact for jobs.
9. Wait a while.
Building a strong network of film professionals and peers can take some time. Keep yourself on people's radar by remaining consistent, polite, and respectful. While some film projects are rapidly greenlit, others take a long time to materialize, so plan on nurturing your contacts for the long term.
Film District UK is an award-winning and creative film and video production company in the UK. The company started operations in Dubai and Mumbai in 2010. Film District UK is a Video Production Company that specializes in video production, film production, corporate video production, promotional video production, commercial and music video production, live event video streaming, live event video production, virtual event video production, social media video production, testimonial video production and animated explainer video production.