THE WORD ACCORDING TO EVE

•No matter how insignificant your job or position may seem at the time, think of it this way: the filmmaking process is like assembling a large jigsaw puzzle, where many small little pieces and some larger pieces (each representing a person or element involved in the production) slowly come together to form a complete picture. Each piece, no matter how minuscule, is just as essential to completing the picture. And once totally assembled, this picture is so rich in detail, it evokes emotion and conveys a story. So no matter what your contribution, the picture can’t be completed without you.

•Your job is what you do, not who you are. Don’t allow your title to become your sole identity. In other words, whether your title sounds important or not, you, as an individual, are important and have a lot to offer. Take pride in everything you accomplish, everything you are and in all your relationships. Realize that these elements are also part of your identity.

•Along the same lines as “you are not your title”: this can be your life’s work, but it’s not your life. One day work may drastically slow down or disappear all together, and you could be left with nothing. So make time (even if it’s limited) for the people you care about and find activities other than work to give your life meaning. It’s easy to lose sight of priorities when ambition and titles become too meaningful.

•If you’re a person who is truly talented, smart, special and/or important, you don’t have to “act” that way. You just are! You show it every day in the way you behave and relate to others.

•Take your responsibility seriously, but don’t overestimate, misuse or abuse your authority.

•Be a person who earns the respect and loyalty of others and neither expects nor demands it through fear or intimidation.

•Don’t be so ambitious you feel it’s necessary to take advantage of or snub other people to get where you think you’re going. It will come back to haunt you.

•Willingly share information, and don’t feel threatened. The better your team or department, the better you look and the more you learn. And back up your co-workers, stand up for them and be encouraging (even if it’s not reciprocal). If you treat others well, they will usually be there to back you up when you need them.

•Prima donnas don’t go over big on teams, so check your ego in at the door. In other words, if you’ve moved beyond being a PA, the call sheets need to be photocopied and you’re the only one around, get up and make those copies. If there’s no one around to make coffee and you want a cup, make a pot yourself. Being busy and needing the help is one thing, but don’t have other people doing things for you just for the sake of your ego. Don’t ever feel you’re too important to pitch in and do whatever it takes to get the project completed.

•Stay healthy and don’t get so lost in your work that you forget to take care of yourself, both physically and emotionally.

•No one is perfect. Give yourself permission to make mistakes, own up to your mistakes, learn from them and get on with it.

•Don’t lie: it will come back to bite you in the butt.

•Don’t be phony, overly nice or solicitous just for the sake of impressing someone or trying to get ahead. Others can see through the insincerity.

•Don’t gossip or bad-mouth anyone, because you never know who may be listening or if the person you’re talking to may be a friend of the person you’re bad-mouthing. It also won’t reflect well on you.

•Similarly, there’s a saying I’ve always been rather fond of that goes, “Beware . . . the toes you step on today may be attached to the back side you have to kiss tomorrow.”

•Don’t compromise your principles and ethics. Stay true to yourself.

•Be willing to give back to those just starting out the way others took time to help you when you first got into the business. Invest yourself in the success of others.

•You don’t have to know everything; you just have to know where to find everything you need to know.

•When you work with good people, do whatever you can to help them and to let them know how much you’d like to continue working with them.

•Take the word “no” and any form of negativity out of your vocabulary. Substitute:

•Pick your battles carefully; know when you can’t win and fight hard for those you truly believe in.

•Don’t declare an emergency unless there truly is one.

•Stay calm when all around you are bouncing off walls.

•Don’t get so wrapped up in small details that you lose sight of the big picture, and don’t spend so much time weighing the pros and cons of every issue that you can’t make necessary spur-of-the-moment decisions as unexpected circumstances arise. Don’t get too caught up in minutiae; you’ll lose both valuable time and money.

•Warning: you can do all of the above, be great at what you do and be a fair and considerate person, and you may still come across someone who (for some unknown reason) doesn’t like you, doesn’t want to be a player on your team, isn’t going to be cooperative or communicative and/or wouldn’t hire you again. This does happen from time to time, and you may never know why. The best thing to do is accept the circumstances, deal with it the best you can, and don’t take it personally.

•Realize there are going to be days when you go home at night feeling totally beaten up and stomped on. But be reassured that it does get better.

•Don’t ever forget the phrase: It’s only a movie!

THE WORD ACCORDING TO EVERYONE ELSE

Just as I did for other parts of the book, I’ve interviewed many industry professionals from different aspects of the business and varying career levels and asked each of them to offer some words of advice to those just starting out in the business. And whether you’re just starting out or are knee-deep in it already, there’s something here for all of us to learn, no matter where we stand on the proverbial ladder. Here’s what they had to say.

 

•“This is an awesome way to make a living and worth the fight. Make sure you want it really, really bad. And if you do, stay the course, be patient, humble and unwaveringly hungry.”

—Shawn Levy, Director

•“Intelligence, combined with hard work, a willingness to try to accomplish anything and a good-natured can-do philosophy will get you further than almost any other quality.”

—Stephanie Austin, Producer

•“Love it or leave it! If you’re thinking about how much money you can make, or how much time off you can have, or how long the hours are—forget it! If you wouldn’t rather be ‘on the job’ than anywhere else, you probably should be somewhere else.”

—Phil Wylly, Veteran Producer/Production Manager

•“Be aware of what’s going on in the business, who’s popular, what shows are playing on which networks, which movies are doing well and who runs which production companies. Working at an agency is a great way to start. Listen to what other people say. Take a genuine interest. Get involved with film festivals. If you can’t afford passes, just hang out and network. You never know who you’re going to meet. Success can happen in a random way. There is no set path, but know what you want.”

—Katrina Nahikian, Development Executive/Producer

•“Have patience. Your break may not come as quickly as you hope. It may not come in the form you anticipated. Learn other skills. Evolve as a person. Do something good. Do something original. Find your own voice.”

—Steven Bernstein, Director and Cinematographer

•“Hang out with interesting, inspirational and aspirational people—your future collaborators.”

—Jessica Spinks, Career & Brand Strategist, Career Cardio

•“Take any job. Don’t overthink it. You can always quit. Don’t worry about the next job; it’ll come.”

—Matt Birch, SVP & Co-Head, Physical Production, APA

•“Find out where you fit and what you’re good at. Respect the mania— don’t fight it. Just embrace it. And when you’re just starting out, recognize that everyone around you is as good as you are and as smart as you are, because it will allow you to approach things with a sense of humility.”

—Betsy Megel, Production Executive, Netflix

•“Lose the strong sense of righteousness—just do your best and keep going.”

—Andy Fraser, Producer

•“Surround yourself with people who are positive and inspiring. The best way to attract good people around you is to be a good person.”

—Morgana Rae, Professional Life Coach/Owner, Charmed Life Coaching

•“Today, if one insists on being in this industry, one must be very determined. Also, one must never forget that no matter how high you get up the ladder, we are all incredibly dispensable. For each one of us who is working, there are another thirty standing in line who would be totally willing to do our jobs for less money and less attitude. Stay grateful for any opportunity.”

—Christine Evey, Production Manager/Line Producer

•“You’ve definitely got to have a lot of patience to make it in this business. But more importantly, you need to be consistent and persistent . . . without being annoying.”

—Graham Ludlow, Producer

•“Work for free for the best people you can connect with.”

—Robert Bahar, Documentarian

•“It’s easy to avoid everything and throw yourself into the fracas of film production, but be careful lest you wake up one day to find yourself middle-aged and a stranger to your children and spouse. You don’t want your tombstone to read: ‘He went into 50% fewer meal penalties!’”

—Jerram Swartz, First Assistant Director/ Production Manager

•“Get smart and educated about the industry. I mean the film industry internationally. It’s a big world. Don’t forget the business part of show business, and don’t waste time complaining. Take actions every day. Don’t ever expect someone else to do it for you. Be assertive and let everyone know what you’re up to. Ask for help and ask to help. Make requests. Everyone loves to contribute.”

—Suzanne Lyons, Producer/Author/Educator

•“You often get the mentor/supervisor/boss you need—not necessarily the mentor you want. You can learn a lot working for someone who’s demanding and precise.”

—Michael Conway, Chief Administrative Officer, United Talent Agency

•“Be willing to be collaborative and help the people you want to help you. Put yourself out there and take advantage of every opportunity to build a relationship.”

—Larry Laboe, President of Production at SXM and Co-Founder & Executive Director of NewFilmmakers Los Angeles

•“When meeting new people, be curious about them and know that it’s not about you but about them. Have topics and questions in mind before you go. If you’re going to be memorable, you have to stand out. If you don’t know who you are, how are other people going to get to know you?”

—Jenna Edwards, Speaker/Writer/Media Producer

•“Do what you love, hang out with like-minded people, focus on your craft, watch movies . . . and just do it!”

—Rita Cahill, international business and marketing consultant for a number of companies specializing in animation and VFX

•“Never treat anyone badly for any reason, be nice to everyone and work very hard. You must be tenacious to be in this business and to stay in it. Read anything you can get your hands on.”

—Mylan Stepanovich, SVP, Physical Production, Walden Media

•“Appreciate those with experience, those who are mentors, so one day you can be a mentor.”

—Carolyn Napp, Risk Management Specialist, Sony Pictures Entertainment

•“Get a good education, because you might need to fall back on it. Don’t burn bridges, accept challenges, stay positive and get ready to miss family time.”

—Mike Fantasia, Location Manager

•“Take any opportunity you can get, and get to know as many people as you can. Don’t stand in the line of fire and learn when to kick important decisions up the chain of command.”

—Terry Edinger, Production Controller

•“Time will go fast, so make sure that this is something you really want to do. Have the courage to go for it and make things happen. Be yourself, and understand that not everyone will click with everyone. Find the right fit for you.”

—Susan Dukow, veteran production coordinator

•“Wherever you work, you’re always leaving your reputation behind. When someone calls to get a reference on you, you don’t want the person on the other end of the line to hesitate for a second. All you have is your reputation.”

—Ginny Nugent, SVP, Production, HBO

•“Don’t be the person who says ‘I don’t know.’ Be the one with a good work ethic, a can-do attitude and the one who says ‘I don’t know, but I can find the answer.’”

—Shawn Gillespie, EVP of Operations, CASHet

•“Tell anyone and everyone what it is you want to do. Shout it from the rooftops, because inevitably, someone will know someone who is willing to give you a shot.”

—Vail Romeyn, Production Manager/Independent Producer

•“Be mentally and emotionally ready for the obstacle course that lies ahead.”

—Jim Byrnes, Writer

•“Just start, and don’t think that any job is beneath you. Lose the sense of entitlement. Be happy to be there. Have a great attitude. And stick around long enough to be able to learn how it really works and to build relationships.”

—Victoria Paul, Production Designer

•“It’s all about communication. Don’t assume. Check your facts and ask the questions. And don’t walk in with a sense of entitlement or arrogance.”

—Andy Weltman, Managing Director, APA International

•“If someone invites you to lunch—go! Make friends on the job, because your friends are your best asset.”

—Susan Hirshberg, Production Supervisor, Motion Picture Production Department, Walt Disney Pictures

•“Network, take classes, ask questions, work for free and seek out a mentor.”

—Susan Sullivan, Script Supervisor

•“Be easy to work with and leave the personal drama at home.”

— Michael Coscia, Writer

•“Keep your promises and follow through.”

—Missy Moyer, UPM/Line Producer

•“Forward progress is largely dependent on experience and relationships. Practice your craft, exploit your talents and build relationships where it matters.”

—Steve Molen, Line Producer

•“Be positive about what you want to do today, but keep your eyes open to new possibilities; and keep an open mind.”

—Matt Kutcher, Special Effects Supervisor/ Second Unit Director

•“Cultivate good people skills, adopt a willingness to do whatever it takes, be open to all possibilities, learn as much about the business as you can, be a team player and plan your moves carefully.”

—Jonathan Sanger, Producer

•“If you want a career working on set, figure out what career path interests you the most, and then find out how to join the union in that profession. If you get into a union or guild, you will have job and wage protection with medical, health and pension benefits. It’s hard work but a good life.”

—Mark Hansson, First Assistant Director

•“To make it in the entertainment industry, you must first learn to accept rejection and toughen up your heart. As you gain some perspective, you realize how critical the opposite is: to reject acceptance and to keep your heart open.”

—Heather Hale, Writer/Producer/Director/ Speaker/Educator

•“If you have dreams of being the next hot director or producer— be realistic, because the odds are not in your favor. Have a back-up plan and find another area of the business that would make you happy.”

—Cindy Quan, Production Controller

•“Despite your best efforts, things will go awry. The challenge is how fast you can fix it. There will be times when you can’t. Get over it. Accept all you meet at face value, and make your own decisions. Don’t let others make them for you. Don’t lose sight of your dreams, and don’t let anyone tell you can’t achieve something. You decide.”

—Dustin Bernard, UPM

•“Put your ego in your back pocket and sit on it for a while. Be willing to keep your mouth shut, listen, make the coffee and do the runs. The more you can soak up, the more you’ll learn. Oh . . . and be willing to work your butt off!”

—Cory McCrum, Post Production Producer

Here are some other words of wisdom worth noting.

•“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”

—Audrey Hepburn

•“Be nice to people on the way up, because you may meet them on the way down.”

—Jimmy Durante

•“You can’t have any success unless you can accept failure.”

—George Cukor

•“There just isn’t any pleasing some people. The trick is to stop trying.”

—Robert Mitchum

•“Create your own visual style . . . let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others.”

—Orson Welles

•“Attempt the impossible in order to improve your work.”

—Bette Davis

•“All great work is preparing yourself for the accident to happen.”

—Sidney Lumet

•“Stay humble. Always answer your phone—no matter who else is in the car.”

—Jack Lemmon

•“I do take my work seriously, and the way to do that is not to take yourself too seriously.”

—Alan Rickman

•“Everyone wants to ride with you in the limo, but what you need is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.”

—Oprah Winfrey

•“Imagination is the highest kite that one can fly.”

—Lauren Bacall

•“If you want a guarantee—buy a toaster.”

—Clint Eastwood