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Engagement is a Career SkillHere's something we keep coming back to in mentor sessions: the people who break in aren't always the most talented. They're the ones who keep showing up. Not to auditions or interviews, to rooms. Meetings, screenings, workshops, group chats, festival lobbies, local film office events. Engagement isn't a personality type. It's a skill, and like any skill you get better at it by doing it badly at first. Why applications alone won't cut itMost entry-level film and TV work never gets posted anywhere. It gets filled by someone who was recommended, remembered, or standing nearby. That's not a conspiracy against you; it's just how a freelance industry hires when there's no time to sift 400 resumes. And the bottom rung is genuinely under pressure. The Hollywood Reporter reported in September 2025 on the ongoing fight over how production assistants actually progress, whether the PA job still leads anywhere, and who's responsible for making sure it does. Worth reading. It'll tell you something honest about the ladder you're trying to climb: nobody is going to move you up on your behalf. What engagement actually looks likeIt's boring, which is why it works. It's emailing a producer whose short you watched and saying something specific about it. It's going to your local IATSE or guild chapter's open events and mentorship programs to find out how the roster process really works in your area, instead of guessing from Reddit. It's answering someone else's question in a crew Facebook group when you happen to know the answer. Nobody remembers the person who lurked. People remember the person who was useful, twice. The version that scalesPick five people a week. Not fifty. Five. Watch their work, write them a short, human note, and don't ask for a job in the first message. Track who you contacted and when, so you can follow up in six weeks without it being weird. Do that for three months and you'll have talked to sixty people in your field. That's a network. Do this todayFind one real event you can physically attend in the next month — a chapter meeting, a screening, a festival day pass. Put it in your calendar now. Then post once in our Facebook group introducing what you want to do and where you are. Someone will answer. Someone always does. And if you've landed something this way, reply and tell us. We'd rather share your story than our advice. Got a question, an idea, or just something on your mind about your career? Whatever stage you're at, we want to hear from you. You shouldn't have to figure this out alone — we're here for you, rooting for you, and just an email away. Anytime. All the best, Liv Today's New JobsThe board's sitting at 137 open roles today, with 9 of those added overnight — worth getting your name in front of the fresh ones before the pile builds. Recommended Job of the DayFilm Distribution Internship is our pick. It's with a distributor and sales outfit that also streams and produces, so you'd see how a film actually gets in front of audiences: the acquisitions, the release planning, the marketing push, the admin that holds it all together. Paid, fixed term, based in the US outside the big two hubs. Good one if you're the person in your circle who tracks what's coming out and why it flopped. In your application, name a few recent releases and say what you'd have done differently with them. Apply today — whoever reads this will be shortlisting off the early applications, not the late ones.
Assistant supports two agents on an independent film finance and sales desk, so it's a proper permanent job rather than a short stint. They want someone organised and precise who genuinely follows indie film. It's US-based outside the main hubs. Desks like this get snapped up quietly, so get yours in while they're still reading. Also on the board — 137 live roles, 9 new today
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Upcoming Virtual Workshops Thu 24 Sep, 7:00pm EDTDon’t F*ck Up The Coffee: Getting the Gig, Keeping the Gig Free for members
TV director Andi Armaganian (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Supergirl, Stargirl), who cut 100+ episodes before directing 30+ episodes, explains how entry-level crew actually get hired and, harder still, asked back. She covers the differences between PA roles, how referrals really happen, the on-set habits that quietly end careers, working around a director without overstepping, and turning one job into the next. For anyone chasing their first PA job — no experience needed — you'll leave knowing what "reliable" means to the people doing the hiring. Free for all Members. Book your place Thu 8 Oct, 7:00pm EDTMFJF Monthly Career Clinic Free for members
Starting a career in the film industry is a lonely business, but just imagine each month if you could speak with an experienced filmmaker and get answers to all your questions and concerns. Better still you can share your worries and listen to others, compare notes and learn all the tricks and tips to getting ahead in the Film Industry. Well, now you can via the MFJF Monthly Career Advice Clinic! Come along each month to get your questions answered and learn from our amazing community. The clinic takes the form of a virtual 60-minute workshop hosted by experienced filmmaker Christina Northrup. Christina will present each month and take live Q&A from anyone who wants to talk, if you want to just listen that is absolutely fine. The overall aim of these monthly workshops is to help you establish your film career! Starting a film career can be very lonely, constantly thinking you are on the outside looking in, desperate for somebody to recognise you have what it takes. And the truth is you are not alone, everyone feels the same. Sharing our concerns, listening to others and having an experienced filmmaker pass on her guidance is one very large step in the right… Book your place |
Today's Daily Job ListAssistant Permanent Job · 2 Weeks · Closes 29th September A Talent Agency's independent film finance and sales team is looking for an Assistant to support two Agents. In this job, you'll manage calendars, schedules and rolling calls, draft and track deal memos… Receptionist Production Crew · 2 Weeks · Closes 29th September One of the world's biggest television and entertainment companies is looking for a Receptionist to join the production staff on a studio show. As a Receptionist, you'll be the first point of contact for… Post & Editorial Fixed Term Contract · 2 Weeks · Closes 29th September A world-leading animation studio, with teams across three locations globally, is looking for Post & Editorial talent to join their database for upcoming roles. There's no single job posted here. Instead… Film Distribution Internship Internship · 2 Weeks · Closes 29th September A global streaming service, film distributor and production company is looking for a Film Distribution Intern to join their US theatrical team in New York. You'll help out on theatrical release campaigns… Various Crew Production Crew · TBA · Closes 17th September A paid, low budget, non-union the employer is looking for Various Crew for two days in Chicago and Oak Lawn on 6-7 October. Full 12-hour days, and everyone needs to work as a local. They're crewing AD, DP… PA & Sound Production Crew · TBA · Closes 17th September A self-funded independent short film is looking for a Sound Recordist/Boom Operator and a the employer Assistant. The Sound Recordist will need their own kit. Every location is outdoors, in and around… Various Crew Production Crew · TBA · Closes 17th September A the employer company is looking for Various Crew for a 48-hour filmmaking challenge in Toronto, shooting 16–18 October. They need a fair few of you: 1st and 2nd AD, Script Supervisor, the employer… PAs Production Crew · TBA · Closes 17th September A the employer is looking for the employer Assistants and an Art Director for an upcoming project. These are paid roles and you'll get a credit. Students are welcome to apply. Duration is still to be confirmed. Studio Assistant Permanent Job · 2 Weeks · Closes 29th September A long-established portrait photography studio in Los Angeles is looking for a part-time Studio Assistant to work on site. The job is half operations, half capture. You'll set up and look after lighting… |
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