If you’re looking to break into the world of film, you’re in for an exciting journey. Regardless of whether you’re interested in making wedding videos such as these, directing, acting, or any other aspect of filmmaking, there are all sorts of ways to gain practical experience.
By building up your resume, you’ll hone your skills and create an impressive array of work for people to look at. Here are some great ways to gain some film experience and start building your portfolio right away.
Volunteer
Many low-budget or student productions are looking for volunteers to help them on set. Consider offering your services for free on film sets to get valuable hands-on experience. People are often looking for everything from camera crew assistants to actors.
Consider looking at local film forums where people post projects they need volunteers for. Not only could volunteering your help be a valuable experience for you but it will also be greatly appreciated by local film projects looking for someone to help out.
Create Your Own
Why wait for opportunities to come to you, when you can take charge of your own future? You have to start from somewhere, even if you can’t find any projects to take you on. Creating your own projects is a great way to learn all of the different aspects of filmmaking giving you a greater appreciation for all of the hard work.
Get to know everything from pre-production to post-production, and assemble a team of your own. There are many other people who are also looking to gain experience, and by taking them on to your project, you may be able to learn a lot from them.
Get Educated
While there are plenty of filmmakers who never attended film school, from Martin Scorsese to Quentin Tarantino, film school can be one of the best ways to gain valuable experience (source). By learning about film in a structured environment, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of all of the different aspects of making a movie. You’ll get to work with experienced professionals and collaborate with your fellow students who share your passion for filmmaking.
Join Online Forums
There are many different online communities out there that are full of people just like you looking to get as much hands-on experience as possible. These communities can be a wonderful resource for learning more about what’s going on in your area and networking.
These places are not just wonderful resources for asking questions and gaining practical advice, but it’s also a platform for collaboration. By sharing your ideas and visions with others, you may find plenty of people thrilled to help you bring your vision to life, and vice versa.
By constantly looking for opportunities, and participating in discussions, you’ll gain practical film experience that will lead you toward a successful career in the film industry.
