My previous two contracts ended, so I have spent July applying for new job opportunities.
This involves daily checking of LinkedIn, regular updates to my CV, networking, and doing other film work in the background. I’m in an interesting situation because I can work in at least four different areas.
- I can continue teaching at FE levels or return to lecture at HE. I’m applying for University Lecturer opportunities in their Film departments. [Fun fact: I’m getting my documentation together so I can go for QTLS in the next academic year if I continue teaching in FE as an Agency Teacher].
- I am applying for Production Coordinator roles. I have my wealth of experience in Production, having worked on all the short projects I have and having produced over 30 short films and AD’d on many others. My challenge is that there is a lot of competition (the industry has stalled internationally because of the writers strike and recession) and I don’t have Production Coordinator on my CV (I have Producer, but I’m not going for Producer roles).
- I’m applying for Post Production Coordinator roles, continuing from my role at VICE (combining my love of organising and administering with my technical knowledge). A challenge I’m facing is where these roles request more experience in that job title than I have on my CV.
- I have my 12+ years background in University Administration, coupled with the administrative Coordiantor roles, so I’m applying for Administration roles within the Media industry.
Those are the three main roles I’m applying for. I have at least three CVs that I’m rotating between, all focused on their respective skills.
- my Film Teaching CV
- my Production and Post Production CV
- my Film Administration CV
I’m also keeping busy with continuing and new opportunities
- I’m continuing to apply for freelance short-form production gigs as an AD, Production Manager, or Script Supervisor. (I have a 2-day Script Supervision gig in just over a week).
- The Ealing Film Festival is ramping up for 2023. The final submission deadline is next week, so I’m rating short film submissions for selection and supporting with admin in my role as the Festival Coordinator.
- I’ve joined the team for International Film Festival The Hague. This is a voluntary role where I rate short film submissions for selection via FilmFreeway.
- I was part of the Jury for the Sci-Fi London 48 Hour Challenge.
- I ran the Action On The Side Short Script Award. This included reviewing the submissions, writing feedback, and having one-to-one sessions with the Winner and Semi-Finalist. (Which reminds me, the next iteration opens on August 1st – I need to promote that)
- With Action On The Side, I’m running fortnightly script development workshops, Cinema SoundEx in September, the short film project in October, and a 48-hour film competition, in conjunction with Ealing Film Festival, in November (details to come).
- Pearls (pka Me Too) has been submitted to film festivals. We’re waiting for decisions and submitting to more.
- KEN short film has a new Director on-board (who we’ve still got to announce). We’re in the process of raising finance, and will be running a crowdfunding campaign later this year to shoot early next year.
- I’m part of a team producing a Christmas Dramedy called Tinsel Town (this short film is the proof of concept). We’re currently developing the script and raising finance, aiming to shoot and release in 2024.
- A friend of mine is developing a HETV pitch based on a Hollywood starlet’s autobiography. I’m helping him with the pitch deck.
- I’m working on a documentary pitch with a colleague.
- Also I’ve been inspired and am writing my own projects. No announcements until the scripts are finished and in a good place.
So, still busy, but applying for work. Send positive thoughts my way, and let me know if you know of any suitable roles coming up.
Busy Times 