When it comes to the film industry, success is hard to come by. The odds are heavily stacked against newcomers, so it takes a special kind of person to succeed. And even then, things don’t always go as planned. If you’re an entrepreneur hoping to get a foothold in the industry, it’s probably quite daunting. Finding success in Hollywood doesn’t happen overnight — and it won’t happen if you keep focusing on what you don’t have instead of what you do have. Follow these four tips, and you will see success in the film industry within no time!
Tip 1: Be Flexible
The entertainment industry is fickle. What seemed like the perfect opportunity a few years ago could be a dead end now. If you’ve ever heard of proposed projects that never get made despite the hype around them, that’s normal for the industry. Any disappointment you feel on the outside is felt more by the actual investors and creatives on those projects. The trick to surviving in Hollywood is to be flexible enough to change when the situation changes. Always have backup projects and people you know that will keep one failed project from wrecking your prospects.
Many of the more successful entrepreneurs in the industry, like Ryan Kavanaugh, had to be consistently flexible when investing in various projects. Security is hard to find in general when it comes to business, but it’s harder in film.
If you are doing all the right things, but luck isn’t on your side, be flexible enough to modify your approach. You’re not going to find success if you stick to the same plan, regardless of the circumstance.
Tip 2: Network Like Crazy
Remember, success in the film industry is a numbers game — and your network is part of that strategy. Find people doing what you want to do and connect with them. This is one of the essential parts of getting your business off the ground, and in the film industry, it can be more important than ever. Networking is crucial in the film industry due to the tight-knit nature of the business. People are much more likely to recommend and promote their friends than some stranger they have no faith or favor in.
Constantly find reasons to meet people, and find ways to impress them. Keep in touch with those you meet. Use social media to keep an eye out for events and people worth investing time in. There’s no better way to get your foot in the door than by connecting with people who already have access to the places you want to access.
Tip 3: Be a Self-Starter
Success in the film industry isn’t achieved by waiting for opportunities to knock on your door. You have to be proactive and open yourself up to all options. You don’t want to be one who constantly waits for opportunities to come knocking. Be one of those people who come knocking by creating opportunities for yourself. When it comes to the film industry, this means either writing and directing your own films or seeking out filmmakers to fund. You only need a small budget to produce a short film that you then use to sell yourself, your skills, and your services to production companies and studios. Having examples of your work available is the best way to always be ready for an opportunity that comes to your doorstep.
Tip 4: Show Your Work and Keep Hustling
No matter how connected your network is, nobody will hand you the keys to success in the film industry. You have to hustle, plain and simple. You can’t sit back and wait for opportunities to come knocking. You have to go out and make your opportunities. That means writing and directing your own films and creating websites, blogs, or social media pages that promote your work and yourself. You can also create videos that promote your work and yourself on YouTube or Vimeo. Never be afraid to hustle. It’s part of the recipe for success.
Hollywood can be a tough place to earn a living, but with the proper mindset, it is possible. With perseverance and passion, you can make it in this industry.
