Page 19 - Film Festival Journal + Review Spring/Summer 2020

FILM FESTIVAL JOURNAL + REVIEW

While you are accumulating networking “Be persistent and don’t get discouraged…”
contacts and building your foundation in

the industry, you must survive. Chances
are, unless you are extremely lucky, you If you really want success in the industry,
will not see an immediate income from the be persistent and do not get discouraged. Be
project you are promoting. prepared to make a lot of calls, and talk to a
lot of people. No matter how discouraged
Many of the most successful producers,
you may get, keep picking up the phone and
directors and actors have worked in less
keep knocking on doors. Rest assured that
than glamorous positions waiting for the
one [or more] of the people you contact will
right opportunities to come along. Be will-
possess that special key, which will open the
ing to offer your services in lesser capaci-
doors to opportunity.
ties and do everything within your power
to stay close to the industry. Remember
what we said about “ego.” It is now that
Everything I am sharing with you has
your ego must truly be in-check. helped many to open Hollywood doors. The
process itself will give you knowledge, credi-
bility and most importantly, confidence.
“You must implement Naïve Persis-
tence…” In the many years that I have worked in
the film and television industry, I have main-

tained this philosophy. Yes! There have been
Locating the right door to open is a con- some very tough and discouraging moments,
tinual process of elimination. Each door but I would not trade any of it for an easier
must be approached with Naïve Persis- oath.
tence. You must not be afraid to admit
The longer I tried, the more effort I ap-
your naïveté. It disarms those you ap-
plied, the more extensive my contact list
proach, and allows them to open up and
grew, and then one day it all paid dividends.
share their knowledge. When you make
It’s worth the effort…it’s worth the wait; the
phone calls, or meet with someone in-
doorway to your future may be the next door
person, put some passion in your voice
you approach!
and thank them for their time. Be brief, and
get right to the point. Prepare notes of the
points you want to discuss, and ask direct People of position love to share, and are
questions. Let them be the first one to wear
most honored to be able to mentor to anoth-
their ego on their sleeve. Even when you er. If those you call are busy, or they cannot,
know the answer to your own questions,
or will not assist you, do not be afraid to ask
plead ignorance. Most people respect those for a referral to another who may be able to
who are not afraid to admit what they do answer your questions. If you do not ask…
not know. you do not get!

19 FILM FESTIVAL JOURNAL SUMMER 2020