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Gaining Access & Networking in the Industry

Is access something you can gain? Keep reading to see how networking and good work ethic can help you gain access in the industry.

The first thing you’re taught when getting into the industry is “It’s all who you know”. 

In film school I was taught you have to network, but I wasn’t taught how to network. I came to the realization that the reason why the process of networking wasn’t taught is because there isn’t one linear way to network. It’s a case-by-case basis and you learn as you go. 

From my experiences in the industry, I wanted to share some tips I picked up along the way. 

Networking 

It’s important to maintain your relationships you create with people as you grow within the industry. Surrounding yourself with people that inspire and motivate you, while doing the same in return. 

It’s important to create genuine relationships where both parties have a mutual appreciation for each other's work. You never know where the people in your social circle will end up. Xyz can land a major gig and recommend you. While this is by chance, the more you network the more chances you get. 

If you never put yourself out there, you’ll never be discovered. 

Outreach

Where access can happen by chance, it can also be gained through persistent efforts such as outreach. One of the things I learned in film school is the concept of “picking someone’s brain”. If you could have lunch with anyone right now, who would it be? Well there’s a couple ways you can go about making that happen. 

As a filmmaker, some resources I’ve learned along the way to reach out to other filmmakers are…

  • IMDBpro, a platform where you have access to talent and crew’s information, such as their agent. Reaching out to someone’s agent to set up a meeting can lead to a one on one with you and them. 

  • LinkedIn, a professional networking  platform where working professionals in the industry have profiles you can message personally when you sign up for a pro account.

Both platforms offer your first month free, so there’s no excuse not to try it.

When I first got into photography, I interned for celebrity and fashion photographer, Irvin Rivera. Under his mentorship, our relationship grew into us working together on A Book Of Magazine. This opportunity allowed me to be on set with some of my favorite actors, such as members of the Stranger Things cast, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp and Caleb McLaughlin, as well as other talent such as Rami Malek (“Bohemian Rhapsody”). . 

Through my work on the magazine, I also personally photographed talents such as Beau Mirchoff (“Good Trouble”. “Awkward”), Timothy Granaderos (“13 Reasons Why”), Lindsey Morgan (CW’s “The 100”) and a handful of others. 

My point being, one connection leads to another. 

Persistency

Constantly create and be consistent in your work ethic. Continue to put you and your work out there. Allow people to see your work and talk about you. 

While I hope these tips help, it’s important to note that networking is ongoing and ever evolving. Take this year for example, we’re learning to connect through a national pandemic and the act of networking is reinventing itself as we speak. 

Networking never stops. Access = Passion. If you are passionate enough, access is possible. 


Victoria InnocenziComment