The business of film and television is all about who you know. So how do you meet the right people, and how do you build genuine connections with them? Here are some tactics to start practicing.
Thanks for the thoughtful and in depth advice, Audrey! One thing I’ve struggled with in regard to industry networking is the fact that you seem to need very finely tuned social skills to execute effectively. There is such a fine line between being persistent and a nuisance, and I know that when I send a check in email and don’t hear back it’s very hard for me to continue sending check in emails and not feel like a shmuck. It’s also hard for me to know how to offer something of value without potentially overstepping my bounds, and keeping a contact warm/sharing what I’m working on without seeming too transparent about my ultimate goals being business/networking related. I doubt there’s a clear, actionable solution, but do you have an advice other than “have perfectly calibrated social intuition and a flawless personality”?
I don’t recommend networking with anyone unless you have a genuine connection with each other when you interact. If you keep following up and don’t hear back, don’t keep following up. If you actually like the person, you’re not overstepping. This is a numbers game meaning you’re not going to vibe with everyone. It’s okay to let the stale, cursory feeling contacts go. Find other socially awkward people you actually have things in common with and who like you and like hearing from you. That’s a better use of your time than stressing over relationships with people who make you feel like you have to perform flawlessly when you talk to them.
I hope this message breaks through to more people. It's some of the best advice given for breaking into a competitive industry. I built a successful 25 year career as a director/filmmaker in advertising by building relationships with ad agency creatives offering to help them get their pet projects off the ground. Many of those business relationships have turned into lifelong friendships. And that's so much more meaningful than just getting hired for a gig. Thanks!
Thank you so much! And yes, having that holistic, long-term mindset sets you up for success and makes those day-to-day partnerships more fulfilling. I'm glad it worked for you.
Since communication is fraught with ambiguity (we can control the content and the mode used to send a message, but not the ability or willingness of a recipient to interpret it as we intend), I find it's wise to adjust the length (and frequency) of my messages based on the level of reciprocal energy = positive vibes, as Audrey points out. Parallels when building trust in any kind of relationship abound. We are drawn toward life-affirming energy like plants on a window sill turning slowly toward sunlight, as long as we sense the energy in moderation.
Thanks for the thoughtful and in depth advice, Audrey! One thing I’ve struggled with in regard to industry networking is the fact that you seem to need very finely tuned social skills to execute effectively. There is such a fine line between being persistent and a nuisance, and I know that when I send a check in email and don’t hear back it’s very hard for me to continue sending check in emails and not feel like a shmuck. It’s also hard for me to know how to offer something of value without potentially overstepping my bounds, and keeping a contact warm/sharing what I’m working on without seeming too transparent about my ultimate goals being business/networking related. I doubt there’s a clear, actionable solution, but do you have an advice other than “have perfectly calibrated social intuition and a flawless personality”?
I don’t recommend networking with anyone unless you have a genuine connection with each other when you interact. If you keep following up and don’t hear back, don’t keep following up. If you actually like the person, you’re not overstepping. This is a numbers game meaning you’re not going to vibe with everyone. It’s okay to let the stale, cursory feeling contacts go. Find other socially awkward people you actually have things in common with and who like you and like hearing from you. That’s a better use of your time than stressing over relationships with people who make you feel like you have to perform flawlessly when you talk to them.
I hope this message breaks through to more people. It's some of the best advice given for breaking into a competitive industry. I built a successful 25 year career as a director/filmmaker in advertising by building relationships with ad agency creatives offering to help them get their pet projects off the ground. Many of those business relationships have turned into lifelong friendships. And that's so much more meaningful than just getting hired for a gig. Thanks!
Thank you so much! And yes, having that holistic, long-term mindset sets you up for success and makes those day-to-day partnerships more fulfilling. I'm glad it worked for you.
Thanks for your generosity in sharing this with us!
I just hope people actually do this! Good luck out there ☺️
This is all really great advice, and a good reminder to make networking an everyday habit. thanks Audrey!
Thank you for reading, and I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Wow!
Since communication is fraught with ambiguity (we can control the content and the mode used to send a message, but not the ability or willingness of a recipient to interpret it as we intend), I find it's wise to adjust the length (and frequency) of my messages based on the level of reciprocal energy = positive vibes, as Audrey points out. Parallels when building trust in any kind of relationship abound. We are drawn toward life-affirming energy like plants on a window sill turning slowly toward sunlight, as long as we sense the energy in moderation.