I think this is a great idea. When I moved to Hollywood in the 90s I pulled out the LA 411 production directory and called every single production coordinator listed to get a job as a PA. It paid off.
Great stuff!!Your videos apart from been very useful provide a lot of hope for those like me that are starting a career as freelance filmmaker!Keep it up the good work!!Salutes from London
Saj, thanks so much for your helpful vids. Working through all of them this week (and probably well into future weeks). I'm employed full time as a CD at an ad agency, but I want to do some freelance on the side (possibly make it my main gig). However, I work 9am to 6pm M-F, so it's suboptimal for photographing or filming for businesses. I've identified a lot of clients in my area that probably have money to throw around (mostly targeting Energy, Industrial, Agriculture, Waste, etc.), but I have no idea how to get in touch and coordinate something while being obligated to working my salary job every day. Any tips for making this work?
I kinda sort of have tried this. Maybe my results were lack luster. I can see how it could work. But frankly, personally, I never get a response from emails. Never as in 0.01% or something like that. I only use email for ESTABLISHED communications. Never to start one.
@@Filmmakingmentor But its more then just what they say. Its the viewer. What time of day it is to them, too their mood. There is a variety of factors that chances once perception to things, even if its the same thing, just at different times. Then factor in Rebuttals. Don't even get me started with that! lol
Hey Saj I like the advice here but what if you do not have a website or much of a portfolio to begin with? I just graduated high school and was looking to start freelancing as a filmmaker. I’ve done plenty of projects in high school for my film class but don’t really have a professional portfolio. Do you think it’s advisable that I wait a year or two, continue to work on projects for myself to build up my portfolio, and THEN look for gigs, or is it possible for me to start freelancing right now without much of a professional portfolio? I would love to start freelancing as soon as possible but I also have to be somewhat realistic.
You can do this technique without a website and just try to get in as an intern or a production assistant first. Even if you have to do a unpaid gig. But I would shoot as much as you can to build a portfolio of some kind. Anything you can shoot, even if it’s spec footage
I have found that about half of the time donation work brings more work directly. Pick a charity you want to work with approach them with a "what helps you?" attitude. You get to build your portfolio, get a tax credit, practice your craft, help a charity and hopefully get paying work. If nothing else you'll have something to show off next time.
@@dronesforhigher interesting. I was planning on doing random projects for myself, but doing volunteer work instead sounds like it would be better. Thanks!
I think this is a great idea. When I moved to Hollywood in the 90s I pulled out the LA 411 production directory and called every single production coordinator listed to get a job as a PA. It paid off.
Great stuff!!Your videos apart from been very useful provide a lot of hope for those like me that are starting a career as freelance filmmaker!Keep it up the good work!!Salutes from London
Hey I’m a freelance videographer from London
Saj, thanks so much for your helpful vids. Working through all of them this week (and probably well into future weeks).
I'm employed full time as a CD at an ad agency, but I want to do some freelance on the side (possibly make it my main gig). However, I work 9am to 6pm M-F, so it's suboptimal for photographing or filming for businesses. I've identified a lot of clients in my area that probably have money to throw around (mostly targeting Energy, Industrial, Agriculture, Waste, etc.), but I have no idea how to get in touch and coordinate something while being obligated to working my salary job every day. Any tips for making this work?
So Happy I can go to your channel and get quality advice…you’re a blessing. Thank you!
Very nice, straight to the point video. I’ve recently wanted to get into working on a team rather then being a one man band so this definitely helped!
Hey, how was this transition? I'm trying to do the same. Cheers
Really awesome breakdown. Should we send this to the EP/producer if we find their email?
Probably producers and production managers. EPs probably don’t do day to day freelance hiring
💯💯🙏🙏🙏
Great stuffs big ups brother
I kinda sort of have tried this. Maybe my results were lack luster. I can see how it could work. But frankly, personally, I never get a response from emails. Never as in 0.01% or something like that. I only use email for ESTABLISHED communications. Never to start one.
Yea it takes a lot of patience but I’ve hired people from cold email. The email copy just has to be good enough for me to consider it
@@Filmmakingmentor But its more then just what they say. Its the viewer. What time of day it is to them, too their mood. There is a variety of factors that chances once perception to things, even if its the same thing, just at different times.
Then factor in Rebuttals. Don't even get me started with that! lol
Would you recommend to do this and advertise yourself as a DP first or start with something like an AC role?
I would start as AC or operator first and then level up to DP
@@Filmmakingmentor Gotcha! What if you already have some DP work under your belt? Is it still better to pitch yourself as an AC?
Hey Saj I like the advice here but what if you do not have a website or much of a portfolio to begin with?
I just graduated high school and was looking to start freelancing as a filmmaker. I’ve done plenty of projects in high school for my film class but don’t really have a professional portfolio.
Do you think it’s advisable that I wait a year or two, continue to work on projects for myself to build up my portfolio, and THEN look for gigs, or is it possible for me to start freelancing right now without much of a professional portfolio?
I would love to start freelancing as soon as possible but I also have to be somewhat realistic.
You can do this technique without a website and just try to get in as an intern or a production assistant first. Even if you have to do a unpaid gig. But I would shoot as much as you can to build a portfolio of some kind. Anything you can shoot, even if it’s spec footage
@@Filmmakingmentor thanks for the reply!
I have found that about half of the time donation work brings more work directly. Pick a charity you want to work with approach them with a "what helps you?" attitude. You get to build your portfolio, get a tax credit, practice your craft, help a charity and hopefully get paying work. If nothing else you'll have something to show off next time.
@@dronesforhigher interesting. I was planning on doing random projects for myself, but doing volunteer work instead sounds like it would be better. Thanks!