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| Our hard working volunteers welcoming you at the door of the function Samantha Zinner and Damian Vucic |
ear. But I see in my absence you all seem to be moving along splendidly and helping each other out on the Network, which is great to see.
So back to business. NETWORKING… What the Perth Film Network is mostly all about.
Making contacts and if there are no opportunities…. Create them! Simple really, if you want to move forward in your career, then you need to be moving, you need to be seen and you need to be heard. 15 minutes of fame is just that! People forget if you are not in their sights… Doesn’t matter who you are or what you have done. You want to move forward in the Film Industry, then you need to go out there and make it happen and Networking is your avenue to get there.
So why are we not doing it? Networking that is. Every two months the filmmaker community converges on the Empyrean for the Networking Function, mostly to catch up with friends… Yes that is what I said, “Catch up with friends” they come to mingle in the safety of the familiar, with people who are in a way probably competing for the same jobs they are… So ultimately they are joining a clique and standing still! Big fish in little pond is great, but where do you swim to from there?
Every Perth Film Networking Function has guests, working
professionals, who are always looking for new talent. We obviously don’t advertise this as simply
this is a Networking Function, not a concert.
You network, then you meet these people, this is how it works, nobody is
going to hold your hand or even direct you to who is the best person to talk
to, until you actually talk to someone. THEN
you start to feel the wonderful domino effect of Networking.
Over the last 3 Networking Functions we have had over 25
Industry professionals in the room and no one came up to them. One of those was Producer, Brett Popplewell
who recently worked with James Cameron and was producer on the film
Sanctum. Not one person, apart from
working professionals that came to meet him, actually approached him for the
two hours that he was at the function.
After the function I asked people if they realised that Brett was there. “Oh!” Would be the cry… “Is he still here?” The excuse: “I was so busy catching up with friends, I didn’t have time to Network.” This comment is the most common I hear.
After the function I asked people if they realised that Brett was there. “Oh!” Would be the cry… “Is he still here?” The excuse: “I was so busy catching up with friends, I didn’t have time to Network.” This comment is the most common I hear.
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| Clara Helms, Brad Major, Brett Popplewell (Sanctum Producer) and Debbie Thoy |
There are opportunities to make significant contacts and chances to move your career forward absolutely everywhere, even here, in little ole
Perth. So quite simply if you snooze,
you lose. You can either come to the
Networking Function to catch up with friends and chat about all the cool things
you are doing or actually go with the intention to make new contacts and work
on your career and build your network. For me personally, it doesn’t bother me which
way you go, it’s simply your choice.
So what is Networking and what is the best way to do it?
So what is Networking and what is the best way to do it?
Networking is taking the initiative and communicating to gain contacts and
build a strong network in your field that you can call on to better your
prospects to gain employment or even just help you out of jam, this for many
can be a daunting task.
Yes it is true, you need to be a little bold to network and yes, there are people out there who will find ways to use what you tell them against you in a way to bring you down, to make themselves feel more powerful. There are bullies everywhere and the more successful you become the more you will find them, it is known as the tall poppy syndrome, but that is for another blog post. Just know that over time you will learn to recognise these people after just few minutes of conversation and know to bypass them for people who you actually would like to get to know. Don’t let this deter you, as for every person who is not genuine, there are 10 to 20 more that are. So they are out numbered… Take comfort in that. Then there is the problem of being shy or introverted.
Many of you will be surprised to know that I am naturally shy. Having worked in the entertainment and pro sporting community for most of my life, communication was a skill I had to master and feel confident with. The greatest tip I can give you is if you are one who would rather stand back and watch, then head for the most extroverted person in the room and get to know them, not only will they lift your confidence, but instantly you will know a great deal of people, because most extroverted people know a lot of other people.
The most important piece of advice is to be yourself, don’t try and be
something else with the goal to impress.
Networking is simply a social interaction and simply you just need to
use your social skills to get to know the other person. However if you are a compulsive swearer or
get drunk easily, you might want to assess that as being not a good impression,
always stay in control. Social skills
take practise, but there is a key to success.
When you approach someone be open, confident and friendly, make sure
your body language is open and inviting. After pleasantries ask the other
person what they do and be generally interested, keep your attention on that
person, in other words, maintain eye contact with that person. Everyone loves talking about themselves and
if this person resonates with you, you will find that the conversation will
flow naturally.
Don’t under sell your achievements, be confident about your work and be honest about what works and what didn’t, but always be positive and constructive.
Always have business cards on you. You never know who you might meet and who may want to keep in touch with you. Have your details instantly available at all times. Make sure your card is attractive and gets attention. If you are an actor you should have your headshot on your card. Hand out business cards and ask for business cards from people you are interested in.
Follow up and keep in touch with those you have made contact with. If they are on facebook, request a friendship. A good way to keep in touch with people is to help them. You see an article or even a job offer that may be of interested to someone, send it their way. This is how Networks succeed by everyone helping each other to move forward and using what we know to help others and ultimately help ourselves when the favour is returned.
The Perth Film Networking Functions are a good way to hone your networking skills but networking doesn’t stop there. Networking happens everywhere. At the shopping centre, your chemist, at the movies and Industry events. You just don’t know who might know someone who can assist you. The key is simply communication and learn to be great at it.
The internet broadens our Networking to every part of the world. Use it to your advantage, but remember if you stop communicating and being seen, you will be forgotten. So keep yourself out there and Network. The key to success in this Industry revolves around Networking and in today’s world the saying “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” has never rung so true. Ask anyone in Hollywood how often they watch TV etc. Not many, because when they are not working, they are Networking. You are only as good as your last job or performance.
So take the plunge this Wednesday night (5th December) for our Christmas Networking party. Meet some great people and have a brilliant time. After you do it once, you will find it is not as daunting as you first thought and watch your network grow.
A last little note: Remember that when you are networking you are selling yourself. This is everywhere, not just at a function. So before posting, writing, wearing or discussing something, ask yourself how people will view you, because if you aim is to work professionally in the Film Industry then a professional image is what you want to portray.
Yes it is true, you need to be a little bold to network and yes, there are people out there who will find ways to use what you tell them against you in a way to bring you down, to make themselves feel more powerful. There are bullies everywhere and the more successful you become the more you will find them, it is known as the tall poppy syndrome, but that is for another blog post. Just know that over time you will learn to recognise these people after just few minutes of conversation and know to bypass them for people who you actually would like to get to know. Don’t let this deter you, as for every person who is not genuine, there are 10 to 20 more that are. So they are out numbered… Take comfort in that. Then there is the problem of being shy or introverted.
Many of you will be surprised to know that I am naturally shy. Having worked in the entertainment and pro sporting community for most of my life, communication was a skill I had to master and feel confident with. The greatest tip I can give you is if you are one who would rather stand back and watch, then head for the most extroverted person in the room and get to know them, not only will they lift your confidence, but instantly you will know a great deal of people, because most extroverted people know a lot of other people.
 |
| Ross Metcalf, Brodie Butler, Clare Helms, AJ Carter (from LA) Jeremy Shaw (FX - Worked on Lord of the Rings and King Kong) |
Don’t under sell your achievements, be confident about your work and be honest about what works and what didn’t, but always be positive and constructive.
Always have business cards on you. You never know who you might meet and who may want to keep in touch with you. Have your details instantly available at all times. Make sure your card is attractive and gets attention. If you are an actor you should have your headshot on your card. Hand out business cards and ask for business cards from people you are interested in.
 |
| Award Winning DOP - Simon Akkerman, Nicola Bartlett and longtime Network supporter Producer/Director Mark DeFriest. |
Follow up and keep in touch with those you have made contact with. If they are on facebook, request a friendship. A good way to keep in touch with people is to help them. You see an article or even a job offer that may be of interested to someone, send it their way. This is how Networks succeed by everyone helping each other to move forward and using what we know to help others and ultimately help ourselves when the favour is returned.
The Perth Film Networking Functions are a good way to hone your networking skills but networking doesn’t stop there. Networking happens everywhere. At the shopping centre, your chemist, at the movies and Industry events. You just don’t know who might know someone who can assist you. The key is simply communication and learn to be great at it.
The internet broadens our Networking to every part of the world. Use it to your advantage, but remember if you stop communicating and being seen, you will be forgotten. So keep yourself out there and Network. The key to success in this Industry revolves around Networking and in today’s world the saying “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” has never rung so true. Ask anyone in Hollywood how often they watch TV etc. Not many, because when they are not working, they are Networking. You are only as good as your last job or performance.
So take the plunge this Wednesday night (5th December) for our Christmas Networking party. Meet some great people and have a brilliant time. After you do it once, you will find it is not as daunting as you first thought and watch your network grow.
A last little note: Remember that when you are networking you are selling yourself. This is everywhere, not just at a function. So before posting, writing, wearing or discussing something, ask yourself how people will view you, because if you aim is to work professionally in the Film Industry then a professional image is what you want to portray.
The Perth Film Christmas Networking Function is this
Wednesday, 5th December at the Empyrean, 7pm to 10pm. It is free for members, $5
if you register and $10 for door sales.
At these functions, if you are new and not sure, we are happy to introduce you to people and help you get started. The Networking Functions are a safe and secure place to start your Networking adventure and I am happy to help you where I can on the night. There are also some awesome little Christmas giveaways for those who are networking. More hints on the night.
So come along, you don’t know who you might meet…
You can register your place at the link below.
http://www.facebook.com/events/417285465004844/
Hope to see you there.
Debbie Thoy
At these functions, if you are new and not sure, we are happy to introduce you to people and help you get started. The Networking Functions are a safe and secure place to start your Networking adventure and I am happy to help you where I can on the night. There are also some awesome little Christmas giveaways for those who are networking. More hints on the night.
So come along, you don’t know who you might meet…
You can register your place at the link below.
http://www.facebook.com/events/417285465004844/
Hope to see you there.
Debbie Thoy
Great and simple post you shared. Networking has such a mythology about it, but it really is just making a common sense! Thanks for pointing that in your post.
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