Production Job Links

I'm sure you're reading the previous post and saying, "Well that's all well and good but for real tho'?" Is such simple BS really worth taking the time to type it? In a nutshell, yes. The simplest things are often the most overlooked so it would be totally remiss of me to avoid breaking out the baby food. Although they are the most ignored, it's these little things that make you the most memorable. It won't be articulated as such but they give you that extra "something" that makes people call you to check your availability on the next gig.

Now before I go into more helpful hints, it would help if I included some places where you could actually find these jobs to practice your "amazing" new skills. Here is a list of places to check out:

entertainmentcareers.net

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/tfr/

http://www.hcdonline.com/jobboard/default.asp

showbizjobs.com

mandy.com

http://www.greenlightjobs.com/

http://www.productionhub.com/jobs/

Tip: Few "pay" sites offer job listings that you can't get for free online.

The Trades
Now with the Hollywood Reporter and Variety, you can check out the shows and films currently in development, pre-production, production, and post-production. This information is not offered for free on their website so you have to buy the trades [Tuesday's for the HR (best for film listings) and Friday's for Variety (best for tv listings)] or pay for online access. Scope out the pre-production listings for productions shooting in LA, take note of the production company info, find the Production Coordinator, and send off your resume with a cover letter stating the specific position you want to work in. [Sending a cover letter saying you want to work "any" job as opposed to a particular one is a dead giveaway that you are a newbie and practically guarantees an appointment with the dumpster.] You may just get a call for an interview. Some gigs (several higher-up ones) are posted in the Trades' classifieds section. Those you can check out online:

http://www.hollywoodreporterjobs.com/jobs/thr/index.jsp

http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=variety_careers

Networks & Studios
Now of course there are the studio jobs where you don't work on a particular show but are part of the backbone/support/executive staff that keeps the network running. Most studios/networks have their own job sites; all you have to do is check out their company websites. Here are a few:

www.timewarner.com/corp/careers/jobtools_us/

www.corporate.disney.go.com/careers/index.html,

www.eentertainment.com/careers/categories/

Here is a link to a whole slew of network job sites: http://www.outintvandfilm.org/career/studionets.html

Keep in mind though that few of these studio jobs are filled through "cold" submissions; most new hires are always someone known (either by working/temping/interning there previously or through someone who is currently employed there). The best way to get in if you don't know someone inside is to sign up with the temporary staffing agencies that studio or network is affiliated with. From there you can hope to get a assignment inside and work your ass off to be noticed. [The temp agencies are also great to hook up with if you need a short-term gig to get you between rent checks as you wait for your next production gig to go through...which can be a while.]

Here are a couple that I got a lot of work with:

Venturi (This one doesn't specialize in entertainment but works with several key players who reside on Miracle Mile--CBS, E!, and Spelling Entertainment to name a few--and other parts of LA. Mostly admin work.)

Appleone (Like Venturi, does admin jobs but also does a lot of customer service gigs. The Glendale branch deals with Disney temps.)

Now note: Not all branches are created equal. You want to register with the branch that does entertainment gigs (easy to find out, just ask them upfront). Hint: the branch closest to the studio/network is the one to check out first.

If you want to be in a more permanent position (like someone's Exec. Assistant, etc) these are two big-time staffing players:

Friedman Agency (The most difficult and the most elite entertainment staffing agency to get into. Totally high-end)

Comar Agency (Another top-notch entertainment staffing agency. Higher-up positions, longer term placements)

Word of Warning
Beware, you may not get that gig right away. It can take weeks, months, or longer to "break in". Until then, you have to pay the rent. If you want a short-term (or longer term if you prefer) solution, can type (somewhat), know some software, can answer a phone, or can lift a few pounds, you can do temp work. Once you get an assignment, most times you are paid within a week. Can't beat that.

Try Venturi, Appleone, or the following:
Randstad, Kelly Services, Act 1, Office Team, Adecco, Volt
Labor Ready has more manual labor jobs.

Sign up with more than one agency. One may be dead while another one is poppin'.


Tis all for now. More to follow.