Networking and Building Film industry contacts (an alternative)

Are you looking for a new or better way to expand your film industry contacts? Broaden knowledge? Grow your circle of influence?

The relationships we build and maintain throughout our professional lives will have more of an impact on our success than maybe any other factor. Especially for individuals who work in the film industry.

The usual ways to network and build business contacts for filmmakers are:

1. attending film festivals
2. working on set
3. through school/workshops
4. professional association conferences (i.e. Director's Guild of America)

Though these methods are proven to be effective and do serve as a solid foundation for filmmakers to build their careers. I would like to suggest an alternative approach.

Informational interviews

An informational interview is when you contact someone who has achieved a certain level of success in their career and you meet with them face-to-face for 20 to 30 minutes. During the meeting you basically ask them questions about their career journey and for advice on how you can achieve your career goals.

For example, say you have a passion of screenwriting but were a little unclear on how to turn your passion into a viable career. You would contact a full-time professional working screenwriter, explain to them your situation and arrange to meet with them for guidance.

The professional could tell you happen they sold there first screenplay, their daily writing habits and good books or websites to read for specific industry information pertaining to screenwriters.

This alternative way to networking is very effective. There are only a few steps to take:

1. Make a list of at least 10 people who are successfully doing what you desire to do.
2. Get their contact information and first send them an email that explains your desire for success and how you would like to arrange a sit down meeting with them.
3. After you have sent the email, wait a few days then call them and state how you have already emailed them and you would like a meeting with them to discuss their career success. Emailing them first will give you something to talk about when you get them on the phone. It makes the first contact feel less of a cold call. Chances are the person you wish to meet will be quite busy. So here is where the 3Ps apply. Be polite. Be professional. BE PERSISTENT.
4. If you persist, you will get to meet with at least 3 or 4 people from your list. Of course, that depends on the people you choose to contact. But I have found that most people are flattered and willing to meet with others who are less established then themselves. It gives them a chance to give back and help others.
5. When you do have your informational interview, have a few prepared questions ready to ask, bring a pen, some paper and then just listen. Be a sponge and absorb as much as you can from the other person. I would not pitch any ideas or ask for a job during this initial meeting. Keep things light and informal. From my experience, let the industry expert be the one to inquiry first about your ideas, projects and employment.

I recommend sending a thank you letter the day after the meeting with the industry expert explaining your gratitude for their time and advice.

For me, this is a very efficient way to expand your business contacts, your industry knowledge and your strategic alliance.

Give it try. The results might pleasantly surprise you