Getting going in the Biz

Earning a Living

If you insist on trying to make a full-time career out of this business - well, it's hard getting started - and it doesn't necessarily get any easier later on. The best way to learn is to work on lots of programmes/films. But now that the industry has become so fragmented, there are increasingly fewer really busy places where you can expect to find that sort of a job. Not very encouraging, is it? But then if you're put off by remarks like that this is the wrong business for you.

Everyone does it differently - and there ain't no easy way. Try everything, and don't give up. Any experience is useful. Nothing is ever wasted, even if it seems otherwise at the time.

Film school? Well, the industry has changed. Until quite recently, the industry in the UK hasn't been that impressed by Media Studies and Film Schools. However, as more and more graduates of such courses come into the industry (and, more important, become the people doing the hiring), that feeling has faded. Many entry-level jobs now expect some kind of a film or media studies degree. Just don’t expect the course to teach you much about everyday life in the real world, where there’s never enough time or money.

If you want to be an actor, then going to some kind of drama school, while not absolutely necessary, will probably be well worth it.

Either way, there's no substitute for talking to as many people in the business as you can. Also, it's a good way of getting a feel for who's really who, and what they can do. 

Gambling
Low-budget movies are often financed by deferments - people working on the film agree to work for little or nothing to get the film made, and are paid when (if) the film starts making money. However, a certain amount of cash is always required, and that may be invested by the producers; by friends; by anyone who is interested in being involved in the film. For this kind of picture, the amounts of money involved are small enough for ordinary people to get involved. You may find amounts as small as a few hundred - pounds or dollars - are acceptable. Something in the order of £1,000-£5,000 is more likely to be a minimum. In exchange for your cash you get the thrill of being involved in the film; often the chance to appear; and (way down the list) the possibility of making a profit.

No-one should ever put money they can't afford to lose into a film. Nobody can predict whether a film will be successful or not, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Do it because you want some fun and involvement. If you see your money again, it's a bonus.

There are tax concessions for investment in film. If this interests you, you should talk to your tax advisor - but by all means contact us and we’ll explain the rules.

Don't hand over any money until everyone else has handed over theirs. You must be sure that the film is actually going to be produced, or you'll lose even that bit of fun.

Producers are often looking for development money. Maybe something like £5,000-£25,000 to develop a film script, or produce a pilot episode of an animation project, for instance. This is even more risky than becoming involved in a production, because the project may never be successfully financed. But, if there is a return, it will be larger than if you'd become involved at a later stage.

Development money is normally repaid on the first day of principal photography of the film or programme, and you could expect to get back double what you put in, together with a share of the film's eventual profits.