By: Kyle Prohaska |
Networking is essential in the filmmaking world. Wanting to do things means you need people, needing people means you need to find people, finding people means you need a resource to find them, and the internet is one major place to do that! There are countless free resources available to you, a lot of them some of you use everyday. I think the majority of folks out there are unaware of just how easy it can be to find people nowadays. This can be as great as it is scary, but the advantage is none-the-less there and you should use it. Networking is like anything else, you get out of it what you put in. That means time, something not many have. If you don't have a lot of it, don't sweat it. This is one of those things that no matter how little you try, you'll get a result. Even if the result is small, it can be worth it.
There are numerous ways to find people. Don't underestimate the worth of a good search engine. Odds are in the film world the person you might want to contact has an email somewhere. Not because they are in the industry, but simply because the average person today has a Facebook/Myspace, etc. Odds are they do. Even if they don't, then they have an email. You wont find someone actively working in film that doesn't have an email, or two. People often have websites also, which have their name on them.
As an example, let me use myself. If you wanted to contact Kyle Prohaska there are numerous ways you could find me. If you type if Kyle Prohaska into Google you'll find many different things on the first page. My personal website, imdb profile, an interview or two, my Linked-In account, the Praise Pictures website, and the Standing Firm movie page. That's a lot of stuff, but very little compared to others out there. It would be very easy to get ahold of me by email.
My point with Networking is you can get ahold of almost anyone. You just need the diligence and discipline to get out there (or in this case, get your fingers moving), and GET TO WORK! Send emails to those that might benefit you in the future on cast/crew, and let others know you exist. Search major Directors, Cast, Crew on Facebook. You'd be surprised just how many of them have a normal personal Facebook. Scott Derrickson has a normal Facebook page, just don't expect him to sign into the Facebook chat.
The beauty behind Networking is whoever you contact always knows many other people, who you then are connected to on some level. I wont go into names or specifics but in just a years time I've gotten ahold of almost every major Christian distribution avenue (for film) that exists, talked to CEO's by chat, email, and phone, interacted with hundreds of people from all sorts of different jobs and locations, and gotten my name out there in a pretty remarkable way. ALL ON THE INTERNET. The only phone calls I've made were more project specific and not network related. All of this was done by friendly emailing and things related.
Some answers I've been able to get, from people I've been able to ask, have gotten back to me with almost a 100% response rating. I've had people ask “How do you do that!?,” or “What's your secret?” Am I some sort of magic man? Do I have this secret likable power that draws people? NO, but I do take opportunity when they come my way, and make my own opportunities. You'd be surprised just how much can be accomplished by simply asking people questions. Ask them nicely and without sounding like a big fanboy, and your golden. Some might even be famous people, but famous or not they are still people who hope to be treated normal.
Also helping other people network in return does more networking for you, so does helping people with other problems. If you know the answer to a problem, answer it. Being someone who has the answers always means more questions for you. Take advantage of that. The more you help people, the more you help yourself. Don't do it with that motive in mind but it doesn't hurt that know that helping connect others in return helps you connect with others as a result. It really helps everyone in the end. If only everyone had this mindset, where would we all be?
The rule of thumb is to do whatever you can, when you can, for whoever you can and do it like that every time. Sending a message either by chat, email, Facebook, Myspace, forum personal message, etc. only takes a few minutes of your time. Don't be foolish, use what resources are free to you.
Kyle Prohaska
kyle@praisepictures.com
CEO, Praise Pictures
http://www.praisepictures.com
