Frequently Asked Questions about getting started in the film industry
I do not have any film experience whatsoever. Does this mean my chances of getting chosen as a trainee are very bad?
No. If you have common sense and you are enthusiastic, willing to work hard with long hours, and able to learn quickly, then you will top the list for potential trainees.
What are the definite "No"s that instantly make me ineligible as a trainee.
a) If you are not available full-time for a minimum of 12 hour days;
b) If you are not career motivated;
c) If you expect to be paid for every training opportunity even if you are not even half-qualified in the area you wish to train;
d) If you do not like stress;
e) If you cannot imagine yourself without the job security of receiving a salary each and every month. The freelance film world does not come with
guaranteed monthly salaries;
f) If you think a trainee simply stands on set watching everyone and you are not willing to give a helping hand;
I would love a training opportunity but I cannot afford to spend a long time not earning any money. Does this mean I should forget the chance of a career in this industry?
Not really. It simply means you will have to be more patient in finding that opportunity.
There are fundamentally three types of training opportunities:
1) NO PAY type - Outside Malta, more often then not, trainees do not earn a salary. In fact trainees are sometimes waiting in a long line when a call for trainees is made. Those who are serious about a career in the film industry know that this is a GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY to get their 'foot in'. Once they get their first credit they can more easily get a job on the next production as a runner or assistant. Incidentally in some large countries not only do trainees not get paid but sometimes also have to fork out travel expenses because their home base is far from the production's base.
2) PERFORMANCE PAY type - Here trainees do not officially have a salary but, depending on their performance, they can get a sum of money, half way or at the end of a production, as a "performance bonus". This depends largely on the budget of the production and how helpful the trainee turned out to be.
3) MINIMUM PAY type - Sometimes trainees are placed as runner/drivers or given certain basic responsibilities that are important for the production. For example, working as a street blocker (closing traffic from cars or people), or working as a "humper", helping carrying equipment boxes on difficult locations. In such cases trainees are given a minimum salary.
What will get be 'fired' on the first day?
Standing on set with your hands in your pockets or your arms crossed, or spending too much time by the catering, or gossiping with others or giving negative energy by complaining about the long hours or how bored you are. Also not carrying out "fully" the tasks delegated to you because you simply couldn't careless.
What if I decide to leave after a few days, when I committed myself for two weeks?
Unless you had a legitimate reason such as attending to an urgent health or family matter, you will probably never be 'allowed' to train or work in the local film servicing industry again. The local productions managers in Malta keep an open communication about "drop outs" and they consult with each other from time to time.
Why am I not receiving replies to my applications for job calls by the PCP?
Sometimes we receive an overwhelming response and we only reply to those who we want to interview further. This does not mean you should not apply for future postings. Placing someone for a particular post is not an easy task as we cannot take any chances, even for trainees. Some people are best suited on some productions whilst others are more suitable for others.
What would get me 'black-listed'?
If you constantly reply to job calls where you clearly are not available for all the days or you do not have all the strict requisites detailed in the call, then you are wasting our time. If you write to us saying that you are interested but not available on a particular day, then this tells us that either you do not understand in the most basic way the nature of the film industry or your English is not good enough or you simply do not "get it" :-)
If you have already worked as a trainee with a production and left in the middle of it, then we probably know about this and we would be unlikely to select you.
Some hints:
1) Be honest when completing an application form or being interviewed. Do not pretend you like long hours if you don't. Do not accept trainee offers if what you really want is simply to make some cash. Producers are not stupid and they will know immediately if you have the passion for the film industry or not.
2) Producers are not obliged to accept trainees, unless they are receiving incentives from the government. Trainees are often looked upon as a "cost" because of the added catering cost which is usually on a per head basis. (Food is usually supplied all day). However most producers are only too happy to have trainees if they are helping other crew members in some way or form. So remember, you will need to be giving back something for the golden opportunity that you are receiving.
3) Patience and persistence are the virtues for getting selected as a trainee. You need to be persistent without being a "pest". If you do not get a reply for a posting which you applied for, then you should remind the production manager that you are very interested and you should keep reminding him/her periodically until you are told to stop!
So what should I do now?
STEP 1 - Read more about a career in the film industry
STEP 2 - Complete the online application form. Remember you should still apply with other service providers.
STEP 3 - Join us on Facebook where we sometimes post vacancies.
I do not have any film experience whatsoever. Does this mean my chances of getting chosen as a trainee are very bad?
No. If you have common sense and you are enthusiastic, willing to work hard with long hours, and able to learn quickly, then you will top the list for potential trainees.
What are the definite "No"s that instantly make me ineligible as a trainee.
a) If you are not available full-time for a minimum of 12 hour days;
b) If you are not career motivated;
c) If you expect to be paid for every training opportunity even if you are not even half-qualified in the area you wish to train;
d) If you do not like stress;
e) If you cannot imagine yourself without the job security of receiving a salary each and every month. The freelance film world does not come with
guaranteed monthly salaries;
f) If you think a trainee simply stands on set watching everyone and you are not willing to give a helping hand;
I would love a training opportunity but I cannot afford to spend a long time not earning any money. Does this mean I should forget the chance of a career in this industry?
Not really. It simply means you will have to be more patient in finding that opportunity.
There are fundamentally three types of training opportunities:
1) NO PAY type - Outside Malta, more often then not, trainees do not earn a salary. In fact trainees are sometimes waiting in a long line when a call for trainees is made. Those who are serious about a career in the film industry know that this is a GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY to get their 'foot in'. Once they get their first credit they can more easily get a job on the next production as a runner or assistant. Incidentally in some large countries not only do trainees not get paid but sometimes also have to fork out travel expenses because their home base is far from the production's base.
2) PERFORMANCE PAY type - Here trainees do not officially have a salary but, depending on their performance, they can get a sum of money, half way or at the end of a production, as a "performance bonus". This depends largely on the budget of the production and how helpful the trainee turned out to be.
3) MINIMUM PAY type - Sometimes trainees are placed as runner/drivers or given certain basic responsibilities that are important for the production. For example, working as a street blocker (closing traffic from cars or people), or working as a "humper", helping carrying equipment boxes on difficult locations. In such cases trainees are given a minimum salary.
What will get be 'fired' on the first day?
Standing on set with your hands in your pockets or your arms crossed, or spending too much time by the catering, or gossiping with others or giving negative energy by complaining about the long hours or how bored you are. Also not carrying out "fully" the tasks delegated to you because you simply couldn't careless.
What if I decide to leave after a few days, when I committed myself for two weeks?
Unless you had a legitimate reason such as attending to an urgent health or family matter, you will probably never be 'allowed' to train or work in the local film servicing industry again. The local productions managers in Malta keep an open communication about "drop outs" and they consult with each other from time to time.
Why am I not receiving replies to my applications for job calls by the PCP?
Sometimes we receive an overwhelming response and we only reply to those who we want to interview further. This does not mean you should not apply for future postings. Placing someone for a particular post is not an easy task as we cannot take any chances, even for trainees. Some people are best suited on some productions whilst others are more suitable for others.
What would get me 'black-listed'?
If you constantly reply to job calls where you clearly are not available for all the days or you do not have all the strict requisites detailed in the call, then you are wasting our time. If you write to us saying that you are interested but not available on a particular day, then this tells us that either you do not understand in the most basic way the nature of the film industry or your English is not good enough or you simply do not "get it" :-)
If you have already worked as a trainee with a production and left in the middle of it, then we probably know about this and we would be unlikely to select you.
Some hints:
1) Be honest when completing an application form or being interviewed. Do not pretend you like long hours if you don't. Do not accept trainee offers if what you really want is simply to make some cash. Producers are not stupid and they will know immediately if you have the passion for the film industry or not.
2) Producers are not obliged to accept trainees, unless they are receiving incentives from the government. Trainees are often looked upon as a "cost" because of the added catering cost which is usually on a per head basis. (Food is usually supplied all day). However most producers are only too happy to have trainees if they are helping other crew members in some way or form. So remember, you will need to be giving back something for the golden opportunity that you are receiving.
3) Patience and persistence are the virtues for getting selected as a trainee. You need to be persistent without being a "pest". If you do not get a reply for a posting which you applied for, then you should remind the production manager that you are very interested and you should keep reminding him/her periodically until you are told to stop!
So what should I do now?
STEP 1 - Read more about a career in the film industry
STEP 2 - Complete the online application form. Remember you should still apply with other service providers.
STEP 3 - Join us on Facebook where we sometimes post vacancies.