10 Powerful Things I’ve Learned from Working Film Industry Jobs

We learn a lot of lessons in life and dealing with people by working film industry jobs.  The rewards of working in a creative environment are balanced by the stress and brutally long hours we endure.

We learn more than we realize by working with such a wide variety of people in constantly changing locations.

Here are ten powerful things I’ve learned from working film industry jobs:

1. It’s impossible to make up lost sleep.

The sleep we lose in a week of fourteen-hour workdays cannot be made up by sleeping in over the weekend.  I’ve tried.

There’s nothing positive to say about the ridiculously long hours we work on set.  It’s not healthy, and any overtime ends up being blood money.  We can always make more money, but the lost sleep time is gone forever.

2. Don’t dwell on mistakes.

We all make mistakes, especially when we’ve worked long hours and aren’t thinking clearly.  When it happens, fix the error and move on.

Early in my career, I used to beat myself up over every small mistake I made.  It was a waste of time.

You and everyone around you will make mistakes.  Don’t waste time thinking about them.  It’s pointless and will do nothing for your career.

3. Speak up where safety on set is concerned.

Safety on set can never be an afterthought.  We all need to help ensure it’s taken seriously by everyone.  We should never let anyone coerce us into compromising on safety.

After many unfortunate accidents over the years, the attitudes about safety on set have changed for the better.  It’s been a long time coming.

4. Abusive people aren’t worth working for, ever.

The attitudes toward abusive behavior in the workplace have changed significantly in the past few years.  Victims of abuse have not been shy about publicly calling out those involved, no matter how powerful they may be.

I’ve always made an effort to steer clear of those with reputations for being screamers, harassers, and public humiliators.  That kind of behavior takes a physical and emotional toll on those involved.

It’s a price that’s never worth paying.

5. Don’t compromise on getting the overtime to which you’re entitled.

Have you ever worked for anyone who tried to make you feel guilty for getting the overtime you’ve earned?  I have.

Years ago, when movies of the week were a significant part of the industry, a UPM tried to pull this nonsense.  I didn’t then and won’t now compromise on getting any money that I’m owed.

You may be asked to sacrifice overtime pay in your career.  Don’t do it.  It will never be to your benefit.

End of story.

6. Be careful what you say on set.

Innocent comments we make on set can be easily taken out of context. The days of risqué jokes and suggestive comments being acceptable behavior are over.

In today’s workplace, anything you say that can be considered racist, sexist, or homophobic may have you looking for another job. Some of the most influential people in our industry have lost jobs over this.

Keep your work talk friendly but professional.

7. Technology isn’t the job.

Do you use technology to do your job?  Sure, most of us do, but technology isn’t the job.  It’s what you bring to the job that makes someone want to hire you.

I was working in the industry when computers first started being widely used.  The executive producer at the commercial production company I worked for called us all into his office to see the new computer.  He would now be bidding jobs via a computer spreadsheet rather than handwriting the bids.

His job putting together bids didn’t change.  The tool he used to do it changed.

We should know how to use whatever technology we need to do our jobs.  But don’t confuse the technology with the expertise you bring to the job.  The qualities you bring are the reason a company wants to hire you.

8. Don’t date anyone with whom you’re working.

This one is challenging because with the hours we work, when do we have time to meet anyone else?  I can sympathize.  Working film industry jobs wreaks havoc with our social lives.

But dating someone you’re working with can be a disastrous move.  If things don’t work out, you’ll still be around that person for twelve plus hours a day.  Not a fun scenario.

If there’s someone on set you’d like to date, do yourself a favor and wait until the job is over.  It’ll be much more enjoyable for all concerned.

9. Don’t gossip.

You may be dying to share the juicy gossip you just heard about two of your co-workers.  Don’t.

Nothing will make you enemies on set faster than gossiping.  No one will trust you, and people will avoid telling you even work-related things you need to know.

Be the kind of person you’d want to work with.

10. Stress management is crucial.

We learn quickly, working in our industry, that we need to manage stress effectively.  Drinking and drugs are not healthy long-term stress management strategies.

Meditation is.  Make it part of your daily life, and you’ll see your stress levels decreasing and your calmness increasing.

Meditation is a highly useful tool that has many devotees in our industry.  I highly recommend it for keeping yourself sane and de-stressed.

I couldn’t have survived in the industry as long as I did without it.

Conclusion

So those are ten powerful things I’ve learned from working film industry jobs.  Working in this business can be a wild, uncertain ride.  It’s also fun, rewarding, and unlike anything else.

What have you learned from working in the film industry?