David Condolora

Finding a Job, or Using Naiveté to Your Advantage

The official unemployment rate in the United States is currently about 8.9%. That’s 13.7 million people. In California, the percentage is even higher: 12.7%, or 2.2 million people.

That means you have some tough competition on your way to a career in the film industry.

But don’t give up hope! Yes, of those two million, many are more skilled than you. Many have more connections than you. But one advantage you can have over them is perseverance, doggedly pursuing your dream out of raw naiveté. If you give up, you’ve raised your chances of failure to 100%. But if you persevere, and forge connections, and develop your skills, you will (most likely!) succeed.

When I was searching for my first job in the industry, I added every studio job site I could find to an Auto-Click Tab in Safari. Every morning I would click that tab, and every job site I bookmarked would open simultaneously, ready to show me the latest positions I could apply for. Since I did this daily, it only took a few minutes each time, and it ensured that if there was a new opening, I would be one of the first to apply.

Below is that list of sites, revised and expanded, ready for your perusal. Add companies you admire to it; make a spreadsheet of the jobs you’ve applied to, and track and follow up on them; make connections through Twitter, LinkedIn, and e-mail. Be innovative. Be fearless.

Persevere.

And when your phone finally rings with an offer, be ready. It’s going to be quite a ride!

General Job Hunting

Studios/Networks

Visual Effects/Games

These links will usually take you directly to a jobs page, but most companies offer internships as well. Poke around a bit and you should be able to find them.

Finally, as you search for work, pray. What you’re waiting for isn’t more important than what you do while you wait. This can be a time of real growth, when you learn to rely on God’s timing and wisdom rather than your own. Focus on glorifying Him in your attitude and actions as you wait for your chance, and be ready for the unexpected. He knows what’s best for you, and will only give you good gifts. They may take a form that you’re unsure of, and that’s ok. Pray, study, and listen.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

– Romans 15:13