3 top tips to kick-start your career in film and TV in 2022
2022 is the year for making things happen. For setting goals and seeing them through. Have you always fantasied about a career in TV and film but not yet taken the first step to perusing this dream? There are many routes to embarking on a career in these creative industries and with guidance from the right mentors and a willingness to get stuck in, you can feel confident in finding your own.
We heard from rising stars in the industry, from Top Boy’s Jasmine Jobson to Oscar-nominated director Cornelius Walker and other up and coming professionals, on their top tips to landing that career changing move in the industry. Here’s what they told us:
Tip 1: Don’t be afraid to reach out to people
When speaking of his advice of getting into the industry, Cornelius Walker (director and actor of Oscar Nominated, Black Sheep) feels young creatives should step out of their comfort zones. “If you see a piece of work you love, find out who made it and email them. Don’t be afraid of this. Talk to people with money, ask them if your idea is something they’re interested in... if they say no, cool – there’s going to be a better yes.” You can watch the full interview with Adobe Insider Ron Timehin here.
Jasmine Jobson echoes this when she says “never be intimidated or scared to contact an agent or a casting director” as more times than not, they’re excited to hear from you and looking for a fresh face.
It was his passion for the job that helped 24-year-old motion designer Tyrone Magnusen push himself beyond his comfort zone; “if you love what you do, you’re always going to connect with people round you. If you all love what you’re doing, there’s always a commonality.”
Tip 2: Always be 100% prepared
In her interview with Adobe Insider Derin Adetosoye, Jasmine Jobson mentions the importance of always being over-prepared for opportunities, especially in terms of acting and auditions. She says “make sure that you’re prepared. When you walk in that audition space, you need to know your scripts. Even if they say you don’t need to be off book [without script], be off book! Be the person who is different from everyone else.”
Tip 3: Join training schemes
Development assistant producer Mei Leng Yew of The Economist documentaries says she wouldn’t have even known about creative careers until she saw posts online from training schemes like the MAMA Youth Project. MAMA Youth Project aims to nurture and train young people from under-represented groups or with limited education.
It’s a similar story for Jasmine, who started acting with a theatre company called The Big House, a charity-based company in East London and who with care leavers, ex-prisoners and young people that have slipped through the cracks of the social system to help reform them through acting and expression. Jasmine got a lead role in a Big House production and within three weeks was signed by her agency!
When asked her advice for those starting out in the industry, Jasmine says “I would 100% recommend finding somewhere that do acting workshops, or even writing workshops!”
To hear more from these amazing creators, check out the Diverse Voices page here.