The Path of Least Resistance
When you think of the path of least resistance, what comes to mind?
Maybe it's taking the easy way out or not putting in any effort. But in reality, being the path of least resistance is one of the smartest things you can do if you want to be successful. Make it easy for people to hire you, and be ready for when they want to hire you.
Here are some tips:
BE READY FOR ANYTHING
I learned early as a Production Assistant that I might be sent to the middle of nowhere to stand all day and call out rolls and cuts. I could have complained. But I didn’t. If the AD’s asked for someone to do something I usually volunteered. Next time, who do you think they will call for work?
ASK FOR MORE
Too many people are trying to do the least. Do the most. That’s the person I want to hire. The one who does extra. Maybe some of you think this is taking advantage of people. I don’t.
Do you really think anyone made it into the NFL or anywhere else at the top by doing less?
BE RECOMMENDABLE
What does that mean? Look at yourself and think, would I recommend me? Think of your co-workers or family workers, would you recommend them?
Have you ever recommended someone or some place to a friend, and then the person or place you recommended sucked? You don’t want people to have that feeling.
Just like the business you love going to because they are fast, reliable and polite, be the same. Be the person someone wants to call when they need a P.A. or a Producer.
KNOW PEOPLE WHO ARE RECOMMENDABLE
When I was a Production Assistant I quickly learned to have a list of good people. That way, if I wasn’t available when someone called me for work, I was quick to offer up names. They wouldn’t always take them and that’s okay.
The important thing was I knew that AD’s, Producers, Production Managers and coordinators would think to call me because even if I wasn’t available, I would have good people to recommend.
Bonus: When you move up, you have your people.
2nd Bonus Tip: Keep that list and grow it. You’ll need it as you move up. AND — some of those people will move up too, and hopefully recommend you and/or take you with them.
Work Hard
Laziness will get you nowhere. Every job, you should have a goal — what will I get better at on this job. What will I learn. How will I grow. What contacts will I be able to nurture? How can I help people?
If there's something you're passionate about, go after it with everything you've got, but remember the above.
DON’T START DRAMA OR JOIN THE PITY PARTY
Filmmaking is not for the faint of heart. The day to day, year to year, decade to decade grind can be a grind. Don’t be a complainer.
It’s okay to bitch a little and speak up when things aren’t right, that’s okay and you should be doing that. I’m not saying you should endure harassment or unsafe conditions,
Avoid that group on set who complains about everything (the Pity Party). You chose this profession, now get to it.
If it was easy, well you know the rest of that statement.
Don’t complain about the food, be grateful you get to eat. (Okay, you can complain about the food, just not too much because it’s kind of cliche.)
Stay positive as much as possible. It’s better for you and I want positive people around me, especially if the show is hard.
Someone with no experience but who comes to work happy to be there is a joy and also uplifts grumpy old men such as myself.
BE SOLUTION-ORIENTED OR BETTER BE THE SOLUTION
No manager or leader likes to hear about problems but we have to. That’s our jobs.
We want to know about them but we want solutions, not just complaining.
Come to your leaders with solutions to the problems and you will move to the front of the line.
Bonus tip: The less your solution costs the better. Either in money, time or disruptions.
BE HONEST
Own your mistakes, even if you’re not sure they’re mistakes. I, and anyone who has been doing my gig for awhile, can tell when you’re bullshitting. Just be honest.
If it’s your first day or first time doing something, speak up. You’ll find that most people on film crews will respect you more than if you try to fake it.
And the ones who don’t, well avoid them as much as possible.
Believe in Yourself - AND BE YOURSELF
Have confidence in your abilities, even if it’s your first day. You bring something to the party, be it intelligence, attitude, good humor, a strong back.
Just be yourself and be fun to work with. There’s going to be ups and downs, so also know how to read a room, but a good upbeat attitude helps tremendously.
Remember that everyone has to start somewhere, and even the most successful people were once beginners. It doesn’t matter to me really what you know. It matters to me who you are and how hard you work. I can teach the rest, but I can’t teach that.
So don't be discouraged if you don't know everything—just keep learning and growing, and eventually you'll get to where you want to be. You will find the right people, or more importantly, they will find you.
Be someone people want to call, someone who will take the hardest jobs, can get along with others, and you will start getting the calls.