Aaron, ALL of the questions you have are answered conveniently in the book I wrote PRECISELY for someone like you. Why did I write it? Because after I "made it in" (as a Camera Assistant), I was flooded with questions like this from all around the world and I realized that not only did I not know everything that I should have before I moved to Southern California, but despite all of the books and schools and websites out there CLAIMING to teach about "filmmaking," NONE of them told the reality that people like us truly need to know.

That said, I'll give you some short answers to your questions here, but please know that the other reason for the book was that I realized that quick little answers on internet forums wasn't enough to truly help others. There's a bigger story to be told than what can be expressed here.

- Will I be able to find work with only a little grip experience? Yes and no. Don't expect to get paid work right away. The key to getting paid work is to build up your reputation as someone who is enthusiastic, skilled, and personable. Expect to start working for free on student films or other low-budget indie projects (shorts, features, music videos, etc.). It is in that arena that you'll learn SOME of what you need to know, but more importantly, you'll be meeting people who know other people who know other people. In time, assuming you're good at what you do AND assuming that people like spending 12-14 hours a day with you, your name will get around and eventually, someone will call you to work on something that actually pays. More on that below.

- Can I get by on drive and passion to help me find jobs? It's not a question of "get by" as if that's a bad thing.... you NEED drive and passion to build your career. It's also VITAL that you maintain as much freedom as possible to take whatever opportunities arise. What I mean by that is to keep your financial obligations (overhead) low so that you aren't forced to take a "real job" just to pay the bills. If you're handcuffed by a schedule at some kind of "job," then you won't be free to take those jobs that don't pay much or anything.

- Is it a good idea to work for free to start out and then start charging? You won't really "start charging." It doesn't work that way. You'll almost certainly have to start working for free. And hopefully what happens is that in time, after you've met enough people and gained some experience, you'll be called for a job that does pay. It takes time and perseverance and patience. You have to REALLY want to be in this business or else it can seem impossible. It's not. It just takes a lot of work and time, more than most people are willing to or able to invest.

- Should I try working as a freelancer, or is joining a union a better way to find jobs? Again, that's not the way it works (the book goes into great detail about this). Nearly EVERYONE in the film industry is a freelancer and EVERYONE who works on set IS a freelancer. We are nomads who get hired for a particular project and then the job ends and we look for another one.

And unlike other industries, film industry unions don't really help you find jobs or fill spaces. On most low-budget projects, you don't have to be a member of IATSE (the crafts union that covers most people who work on set). What joining IATSE gives you is access to big studio projects where you'll be working under a contract and getting money paid into your health and pension accounts. And, you can't just apply to join. There is a very specific process and there are requirements you must meet before you are let in.

- Does anybody have experience in union dealings? Yes. 🙂

- Do they have unions for Grip workers? IATSE is the union that covers all "crafts" on set and Local 80 is specifically for Grips. http://www.csatf.org/iadirect.shtml Once you have some experience, you can consider trying to become a member. Their actual website seems to be down while I type this, but you can contact Contract Services to ask any questions you might have about requirements to join. http://www.csatf.org

Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com

I forgot to mention, that in addition to What I Really Want to Do: On Set in Hollywood ?url? http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780823099535?/url?, I urge you to read:

The Grip Book, Third Edition
by Michael Uva
ISBN-10: 0240852338
ISBN-13: 978-0240852331

In time, you'll also want to read some Cinematography specific resources. Many of the best ones are listed here: http://realfilmcareer.com/forum/index.php?topic=9.0

You'll also find access to real professionals at Cinematography.com in the Grip specific section on their forum: http://www.cinematography.com/index.php?showforum=64

Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com

Brian,

Thank you for your answers. I have just ordered both of the books that you suggested, as well as bookmarked the websites.

I guess get by was the wrong words to use, I plan on putting every fiber of my being into making it in the industry. I am one year removed from a four year stint in the US Navy, the long hours will not bother me.

I am currently working a full time job here in NH and living with my parents, so I will have plenty of overhead when I get to LA.

Thank you again for all your help.

Aaron