Moving to a new city can be a daunting task, especially for freelance filmmakers, videographers, or editors. Not only do you have to deal with packing and unpacking, but you also have to set up utilities, bills, and everything else. On top of that, you may lose valuable work time and local contacts. However, moving to a new city can also be an excellent opportunity to grow your career and brand. Here are some professional tips and tricks to help you make fresh industry connections in your new city.
1. Local Filmmaking Community Groups: Look for local filmmaking communities or groups in your new city. A simple Google search can help you find organizations like the Austin Film Society, the Dallas Film Society, or the Atlanta Film Society. You can also find smaller niche filmmaking groups online or in person. Join Facebook and LinkedIn groups and attend meet-ups, workshops, or screenings. Memberships can open even more networking doors, along with direct access to mentorships and other resources.
2. Independent Theaters: Local independent theaters are one of the best places to meet other filmmakers and video professionals. Find some new indie releases or famous director retrospectives that you’d like to see. You’ll also often find events, workshops, and film-themed parties to dive into — all great organic ways to make connections and build friendships in a new town.
3. Film Festivals: Your new town will likely have at least one, if not several, local film festivals for you to check out. Buy a pass and dive in yourself. Festivals are great places to hang out and casually meet new filmmakers from around town and abroad. They also have plenty of workshops and discussion panels to learn something new and network.
4. Camera and Gear Shops: Find your local camera and gear store, preferably a good mom-and-pop one. Not only will you need a good resource for renting cameras, lenses, and gear, but you’ll also need a good hub for making professional connections. Camera shops will also often have gear demos where brand reps give some hands-on demonstrations of new cameras and gear.
5. LinkedIn and Social Apps: While all the aforementioned social and in-person methods are my first recommendations, we do live in a digital age. LinkedIn is a great place to start. You can look for jobs (both contract or full-time) immediately. You can also reach out and connect with creative staffing agencies like Creative Circle, The Creative Group, or The BOSS group. If you’re looking for more job-specific roles on larger productions, you can also check out platforms like Staff Me Up.
Don’t let moving to a new city hold you back. Follow these professional tips and tricks to make fresh industry connections and grow your career and brand. For more networking and general filmmaking advice and inspiration, check out some of these articles.
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