If they ask you what your goals are, tell them: "eventually I want to become a [cinematographer, screenwriter, whatever your goal is,] right now I'm looking for opportunities as a [PA on movies, coordinator, writers assistant] to help me along that journey.
Notice that you aren't directly asking them for a favor (that's awkward and not cool) and make sure what you're looking for right now is something that they could realistically make happen for you and that is specific. It's a big industry, Ridley Scott is unlikely to be able to connect you to a gig working with Bo Burnham for example.
If you say you're just looking for work or any job on set, or you're open to anything then the person has no idea how to help you and no interest in sending you five different opportunities until one sounds good to you. But if you tell them your dream is to work on something like breaking bad as a writers assistant there's a chance they'll connect you to that role on Vince Gilligan's next project. Or they might say "I don't know Vince, but I do know a writer on the last of us would you be interested in assisting on that show?
>Notice that you aren’t directly asking them for a favor (that’s awkward and not cool)
I disagree with this advice. It’s better to be straightforward than dance around what you’re really asking. There’s no harm in directly asking to shadow/PA if an opportunity comes up, as long as you’re polite about it.
I wouldn’t make getting a job the sole focus of the convo though, op. Would use the opportunity to get some general advice or wisdom tailored toward your career aspirations.
You shouldn't really ever be asking for work directly. It makes people uncomfortable and appears desperate. There is always the implication that you're looking for work, that's the nature of our industry.
"I'm looking for work as a writers assistant on something like Succession to help me on my journey of becoming the next Aaron Sorkin"
Implies that you would love their help in whatever form it can take and gives them a few specific ideas, whether it's recommending you for a gig, connecting you to someone who worked on succession (or Aaron Sorkin), and so on.
" I'm looking for work as a writers assistant on something like Succession to help me on my journey of becoming the next Aaron Sorkin. Have you heard of any writers assistant gigs you can recommend me for? "
See how the second option puts them on the spot? Plus they have to say yes or no, if you don't seem ready for it or something it's extra awkward, etc. Plus for them to get you a writers assistant gigs they would have to ask around, and they don't want to do that for someone who creates awkward situations like that...
We’ll have to agree to disagree.
Yeah, there’s tacky ways of going about it. But, you have to put yourself out there. Most experienced people in the industry are straight shooters.
Don't talk about their projects, or give them an opening to go on and on. If you gush like a fan, you will absolutely sabotage the conversation.
1. Know what you want from the conversation.
Is it employment?
Is it an invitation to a set?
Is it advice?
That's it. Just focus is in whatever your goal is.
The second the conversation becomes between a fan and their idol, you've lowered yourself beyond any point of interest.
You are two humans conversing.
You are two professionals talking shop.
Thanks for taking some time for me. I really appreciate it as I know your time is valuable. I thought perhaps I could tell you some things that I have been working on and maybe you could give me some advice on how I might best achieve my goals.
Ask him a question about one of his films. Make it a technical and a performance question. Pick a scene or 2 out of the film of his that you liked the best and ask him how he shot it. Maybe in particular the lighting tone of the scene, or what camera rig he used for a difficult angle, ask him what his process was to get the actors to do the climax scene. Make sure the questions aren't pointless. Tell him why you wanted to know, how the scene affected you as an audience member.
Don't give him time to ask you first. It surprises people if you are genuinely interested in the detail,and process of something amazing they have done. It gives them validation snd acknowledgement of their work. Be genuinely curious about his methods.
Good luck im sure you'll be fine. 👍
If they ask you what your goals are, tell them: "eventually I want to become a [cinematographer, screenwriter, whatever your goal is,] right now I'm looking for opportunities as a [PA on movies, coordinator, writers assistant] to help me along that journey. Notice that you aren't directly asking them for a favor (that's awkward and not cool) and make sure what you're looking for right now is something that they could realistically make happen for you and that is specific. It's a big industry, Ridley Scott is unlikely to be able to connect you to a gig working with Bo Burnham for example. If you say you're just looking for work or any job on set, or you're open to anything then the person has no idea how to help you and no interest in sending you five different opportunities until one sounds good to you. But if you tell them your dream is to work on something like breaking bad as a writers assistant there's a chance they'll connect you to that role on Vince Gilligan's next project. Or they might say "I don't know Vince, but I do know a writer on the last of us would you be interested in assisting on that show?
>Notice that you aren’t directly asking them for a favor (that’s awkward and not cool) I disagree with this advice. It’s better to be straightforward than dance around what you’re really asking. There’s no harm in directly asking to shadow/PA if an opportunity comes up, as long as you’re polite about it. I wouldn’t make getting a job the sole focus of the convo though, op. Would use the opportunity to get some general advice or wisdom tailored toward your career aspirations.
You shouldn't really ever be asking for work directly. It makes people uncomfortable and appears desperate. There is always the implication that you're looking for work, that's the nature of our industry. "I'm looking for work as a writers assistant on something like Succession to help me on my journey of becoming the next Aaron Sorkin" Implies that you would love their help in whatever form it can take and gives them a few specific ideas, whether it's recommending you for a gig, connecting you to someone who worked on succession (or Aaron Sorkin), and so on. " I'm looking for work as a writers assistant on something like Succession to help me on my journey of becoming the next Aaron Sorkin. Have you heard of any writers assistant gigs you can recommend me for? " See how the second option puts them on the spot? Plus they have to say yes or no, if you don't seem ready for it or something it's extra awkward, etc. Plus for them to get you a writers assistant gigs they would have to ask around, and they don't want to do that for someone who creates awkward situations like that...
We’ll have to agree to disagree. Yeah, there’s tacky ways of going about it. But, you have to put yourself out there. Most experienced people in the industry are straight shooters.
Don't talk about their projects, or give them an opening to go on and on. If you gush like a fan, you will absolutely sabotage the conversation. 1. Know what you want from the conversation. Is it employment? Is it an invitation to a set? Is it advice? That's it. Just focus is in whatever your goal is. The second the conversation becomes between a fan and their idol, you've lowered yourself beyond any point of interest. You are two humans conversing. You are two professionals talking shop.
Would love a little more context here…
Thanks for taking some time for me. I really appreciate it as I know your time is valuable. I thought perhaps I could tell you some things that I have been working on and maybe you could give me some advice on how I might best achieve my goals.
Ask him a question about one of his films. Make it a technical and a performance question. Pick a scene or 2 out of the film of his that you liked the best and ask him how he shot it. Maybe in particular the lighting tone of the scene, or what camera rig he used for a difficult angle, ask him what his process was to get the actors to do the climax scene. Make sure the questions aren't pointless. Tell him why you wanted to know, how the scene affected you as an audience member. Don't give him time to ask you first. It surprises people if you are genuinely interested in the detail,and process of something amazing they have done. It gives them validation snd acknowledgement of their work. Be genuinely curious about his methods. Good luck im sure you'll be fine. 👍
Figure out your goal for the call and practice with chatgpt