Pathways to Entertainment in TV/Film/Media
This week I attended an online networking event called “Pathways to Entertainment in TV/Film/Media“. It was hosted by a indie entertainment company called “The HiveMind Unified” by Shirlyn and Kareema. They talked about soft skills, base level skills, and different roles within the industry.
Topics
The event was a way to help people who are interested find out how to enter the entertainment industry and what skills you need.
- Different paths into the industry including education, DIY content creation, cold calling, volunteering, trade skills, and corporate entry-level roles.
- Networking and relationship-building to reach Hollywood.
- Essential soft skills like crafting professional emails, making strong pitches, and staying authentic to your personal mission.
- The impact of AI and its implications for creatives, specifically writers.
Q&A
They allowed everyone to get a chance to ask any questions they had throughout the presentation. I asked about how AI had impacted their work and they said how people are afraid of losing their jobs. There were writers going on strike and AI was one of their main reasons why. They encouraged us to ask about what they were curious about like if we need a website, how much experience, etc. They were very welcoming, which also made people feel comfortable enough to speak. Overall they seemed like very nice people to talk to.
Career Advice
Create a “base level” including:
- Soft skills: Writing good emails and follow up.
- Maintaining connections: Keep in contact with those you meet within the industry.
- Being memorable: Hand out memorable business cards and treat people with kindness.
What I Learned
The event left me with the follwing
- Build genuine relationships: Always reach out to contacts, especially during holidays or milestones. This make you seem more genuine than contacting only when you need something from them.
- Have an elevator pitch: Having an elevator pitch ready is crucial for when you have limited time to talk to someone important. Not being ready can make you lose out on great opportunities.
- Stay authentic: Always be yourself. Be true to your roots and your initial goals.
Conclusion
The “Pathways to Entertainment in TV/Film/Media” was really informative to learn employers perspectives on how the industry is like now and how to grow. It was comforting to learn how they’re just humans who are doing their job. They talked to us like humans and not professionals with a massive ego. It was helpful to get guidance from people who know the industry and for those like me who want to learn more about it.
