Does anyone know of any interesting opportunities available in the industry? I’m putting the finishing touches on my first screenplay that I will be shopping around to producers, but in the meantime I need to get back into a more regular work situation. One can’t work freelance forever! I’ve been looking for something in the film journalism/criticism arena (web or print) but can’t seem to find anything promising. I figured who better to ask than my fellow Twitchers! Even if it isn’t a full-time gig, I’m open to suggestions. I would also be interested in (and actually prefer) anything on the production/development side. Basically, as long as it involves movies and doesn’t involve taking tickets or scooping popcorn I’m all ears!

Hmm… this is a tough nut to crack - ask a good number of people reading and writing for this site! 

Just throwing some thoughts out there for you - not sure what (if any) will help / inspire / anger.

As far as actual production goes, where are you located?  Are you in LA?  New York?  Austin?  Chicago?  Farmer’s Retreat?  (that’s in Indiana, btw)  Outside the US?  (in that case I’ll be of even less help)

The reason I ask is because that’ll have a lot to do with the sort of work there is to be found.  Bigger cities (esp. the first four above) all have pretty big production communities, with all range of projects being produced in and around them at any given moment.

Do you know anyone who works in production?  Have you worked in production in the past yourself?  If not, it’s likely you’ll start toward the bottom of the ladder.  It’s definitely a meritocracy - experience is valued and rewarded.  Be prepared to take some work for no pay at the beginning.

Check out http://www.mandy.com and http://www.craigslist.com - Mandy is production-oriented - both feature regular job postings.

Do you really want to write scripts and are looking to network and get your stuff read?  If so, I’d keep working the day job and hit writers groups, forums (the kind with flesh-and-blood people, not those online) and other places where you might meet like-minded folks or have an opportunity to talk with people who have been fortunate enough to successfully take the steps you’re looking to take.  During the writer’s strike I flew to LA and walked the picket lines - met a ton of bona fide screenwriters and made a lot of good contacts I’m in touch with now.  Being from Indiana and having only fringe contacts within the industry, the trip has proved invaluable.

If you’re looking to try and write for the web, put some samples together and look for sites that cover the sort of stuff you’d like to write about.  Don’t expect to get paid (though some sites do pay) but again - it’ll provide experience and open some doors if you take advantage of what’s offered to you.  Thanks to Twitch I’ve met a number of filmmakers on their way up who have been great contacts, and have made my way into festivals where I’ve been able to network and see a lot of interesting films I might have otherwise missed.

Just my $.02!

Thanks for the info Collin. I live in the NYC area so there’s no shortage of opportunities. I have worked on plenty of shows and continue to do so, but it’s obviously in a freelance capacity. I’m completely focused on making my own film so there has been some benefit to living this journeyman existence for the last year or so. I’m looking to get into something more regimented to get myself back into a natural flow. I write for a couple of sites at the moment but neither pay (big shock), but of course the experience that counts.

It’s very cool you went out to LA and joined the line. In hindsight I should have probably skipped into town and made some connections myself! I need to find someone who could get me a job at a production house where I can be right in the middle of the action.