How to Get in and Succeed in the Film Industry 

Many of todays highschool media programs are providing students with digital cameras and creative software for editing video, but to make your living in film you need much more knowledge of the film and video production process.

The film industry today demands workers who have received practical training not only on professional film and video equipment but also training in how a production goes together and how all 23 jobs behind the camera relate to one another. The film industry is a time and money business like no other. There is little time to train you on the job. You must know your craft and be responsible to succeed in film.

Workers in our industry often refer to their jobs as a "lifestyle" not a job. Though the hours are long and the work often challenging, it is a creative business that pays its skilled workers well.

Lets look at a few facts:

• THEATRE - Good grounding for actors but has very limited job potential for actors or technicians.
• TELEVISION - Good for learning TV Journalism, simple camera work, and interview techinques, but a small market for jobs.
• FILM - This is where the jobs are. Last years British Columbia generated over 1.1 billion dollars in revenue from the motion picture production industry.

On the west coast alone more than 35,000 individuals make their living from the film industry. The majority of this work is servicing American Films that are being shot in Canada. More than 90% of the crew working on these films are Canadian. A feature theatrical film can employ more than 100 crew members.

The 1,000 channel universe is here, and the demand for product for television broadcasting will be ever increasing. Todays graduates are the filmmakers and actors that will supply this need.

My seminar on How to get in and Succeed in the Film Industry, will give your students the hard facts and practical information they need to know to succeed in film. I familiarize them with the various film schools and training facilities available and the opportunities that await them as they become employable in the industry.

I deal with such topics as: Union, Guilds, non union work, pay scales, skills need to work in theatre, televison and film, as well as jobs above and below the line along with non theatrical film work.

Whether you want to become a director (and most students do) or a camera operator, or a set decorator, your work in the film business is not a job, it is a lifestyle. It can be a lifestyle that is very rewarding both creatively and financially, but it comes through hard work.
There are no eight hour days in the film world. Your average day is twelve hours and it is not uncommon to work a longer day.

Canada’s film industry is a big business run by skilled professionals. On the west coast alone there are some 50,000 people that work in film. A majority of this work is servicing the American Film Production Industry. Greater than 90% of the technicians working on these films are Canadian.

There are over 23 different key departments on a film crew and the overall crew on a big film will number more than a hundred. As part of my seminars I acquaint students with the theatrical and non-theatrical (educational, commercial and corporate video) parts of our business, as well as the opportunities available in the acting profession.

My seminar will provide the answers to many questions including:

• Do you have to be in a union to work in film?
• Do I have to move to Hollywood to make movies?
• How do I become a stunt man?
• Do I need an agent?
• How much money do you make as a filmmaker?
• What does a "best boy" do?
• What is a gaffer?
• How do I sell a film after I've made it?
• How long does it take to make a feature film?

I have delivered this seminar to many colleges and high schools around BC and garnered great reviews,
With this seminar you as a media teacher will be providing your students with cutting edge information that will help them achieve their potential through work in the film industry.

To book Barry for your next seminar or workshop contact:
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www.barrycasson.com
Office: 250-721-2113
Cell: 250-744-8664