Get On Set

I've been on some film shoots this semester, and I want to encourage all of you to get involved with being on set. I don't want to act like I have everything figured out, but I do have a few tips that I use myself to get on set.
The first thing I would encourage you all to do is to get to know film majors here. I've been on many shoots because I became good friends with a senior film student that lives on my floor. He has helped me get onto multiple sets. So get out there and network with people and tell them you want to help out on set. This leads into my next point. Do whatever you can. I personally am interested in Camera Operation and being Director of Photography but the past few sets I've been on I have done sound. The reason I have done sound is because anyone can run a camera, even if I'm talented at running camera, they won't want a freshman to be camera operator. The Directors I've talked to always seem to need a sound guy, and I tell them I will do it. It gets me on set and opens doors. I meet people, and talk to the camera operators, to get tips and observe what they do. You can line up other jobs just by being on set. Just because I do sound now doesn't mean I cant be a director of photography on the next shoot. So try everything, and do anything to get you on set. There is no experience like on set experience. Trust me.



Matt Shouse