CAREER Central

Dear Debbie,

Hi! I have been reading your book In Their Shoes and I find it really informative. I’m very interested in working in the film industry and doing something to help get a movie made. I’ve never been able to put a name to what exactly I would want to do in the industry but a movie studio executive sounds awfully close. I was hoping you could maybe give me more information on this career and what would be the best way to go about getting started on a path to that or something similar.

Thanks for your help!
Kaely

Dear Kaely,

Thanks for your email! I hear ya sister…a career as a movie studio executive sounds pretty incredible. It’s a very big job, and movie studio execs often wear many hats to be good at their job. There’s the creative side, where they’re interacting with screenwriters and actors and musicians, and there’s the business side, where they’re making sure the film has enough of a budget to be produced and marketed well enough to be successful. There’s the politics side, where they’re making sure everyone involved in the film is happy and feels as though they’re being heard. And then there’s the fact of working in Hollywood in an industry that can be very fast-paced and cut-throat. To be successful as a movie studio executive, you need a lot of talent, a lot of drive, a love of the movies, a good business sense, an ability to handle high stress, good negotiation skills, and luck.

One of the things Alli Shearmur talks about in my book is how she was fixated on film and the industry as a teen. She immersed herself in the world of cinema, and watched a ton of movies and read about women in the industry. I would think this would be a good start for you, if you’re not already doing it. That being said, here are some specific things you can look into doing now. Good luck! XOXO Debbie

• Start reading the “trades” – those magazines dedicated to the world of Hollywood, like Variety and the Hollywood Reporter. You’ll have all the same info as any movie insider, and get to know about the various movie studios, major players, and general industry lingo. Subscriptions are pricey, so see if your library carries them.
• Set yourself up for getting an internship down the road. Interning at a studio or for a production company is key when it comes to getting a foot in the door, since often times, it’s about who you know and who is willing to give you a chance. To improve your chances of landing a good internship, take film classes (in high school or college), and set your sights on going to a college or university that has a film program. Even if you’re looking to be an executive and not a director, a background in film will go a long way in opening doors.
• Start making your own films now. Digital technology is getting cheaper by the minute, so buy or borrow a camera and shoot your own film. There are a number of contests for teens to show their stuff and win cool opportunities working on real films. See below for a sampling. Again…even if you’re more interested in being an exec than a director or filmmaker, knowing what goes into making a film will make you that much more valuable as a producer.
• Find a summer film program or camp that you can attend and learn more about the business and the making of a film. See below for a partial list of opportunities.

Filmmaking Contests & Festivals

• Teen Film Youth Fusion Teen Film Series
• Youth Film Festival on Social Justice
• Oregon Diploma Video Challenge
• Newport Beach Youth Film Festival
• Reel Teens Film/Video Festival
• Future Filmmakers Festival

Filmmaking Programs for Teens

• NW Film Center’s Young Filmmaker’s Program (Portland, OR)
• School of Cinema and Performing Arts Filmmaker Camp (Los Angeles, New York City, Burlington, VT, and London)
• Reel Works (Brooklyn, NY)
• Blue Ridge Motion Pictures Film Institute (Asheville, NC)
• Austin Film Society (Austin, TX)
• US Performing Arts Camps (Southern California)
• Reel Grrls (Seattle, WA)

* * * * *

Do you have a question about how to find out more about a career dream? and I might answer your question on Smart Girls Know!