Starting out now she can find a local independent film or two in production in your area and sign on to help for free. Seeing the sets and production will certainly give her an idea if this is really what she wants to do. A lot of people on this board councel that route right into working directly on films rather than the classes.

Of course this depends upon the filmmakers in your area but it's worth looking into. Get a copy of Backstage West or haunt Craiglist looking for films in the area.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

Dear RJ;
Thank you for the advice....we live pretty far away from California or New York... where the 'industry' action would occur.... and I never thought of looking into a local independent film company. Wouldn't you know there is such a thing in our area! Last year they even held a film camp! I'm hoping it will be available again this year so that she can participate. It's a start, and that's just what I was looking for! I will also check out the other resources you mentioned.
Thank you again, I really appreciate it.
Jessie

You probably want a small independent film company anyway as Hollywood and NY are filled with Unions and insurance issues that are unlikely to allow volunteers while small independent are often happy to get any extra set of hands they can get.

Check craigslist for the city closest to you. Check the Gigs section and do a search of all gigs for things like movie of film (ignore the ones for Adult gigs for obvious reasons). It's free, it takes minutes, and you can find out a lot. I searched Tulsa out of curiosity and found one audition:
http://tulsa.craigslist.org/search/ggg?query=movie

Otherwise check out the magazine Backstage. Either West or East depending upon where you live. Look for the ads trying to get actors. If they are trying to get actors they are trying to put together a movie or something interesting.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

Both Los Angeles and New York have thriving, very active, quite
successful independent film companies that not only allow
volunteers but thrive on any extra set of hands they can get.

Jessie, you failed to mention your area. Hard to know if there are
local independent film companies in your area without that info.

What aspect of a film career does your daughter want to do?

=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

Certified, I didn't mean to impune the independents in those areas but the number of films in progress in those areas would certainly complicate the search.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

Jesse,
I would recommend having your daughter read a few filmmaking books. Of course trying to get teens to read a book or two can be tough. We were all teens once...I remember. Reading up onthe subject before working on a set will really help her understand what is going on. Here is a short list that can be purchased online.
"Just Shoot It!" - easy to understand and motivating
"Film Production Technique" - very thorough
"The Filmmaker's Handbook" - this book is a bit long and technical

Maybe a few posters can recommend some other books.

I found REBEL WITHOUT A CLUE to be the most motivation film book I've read.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

quote:

---

Originally posted by rjschwarz

Certified, I didn't mean to impune the independents in those areas but the number of films in progress in those areas would certainly complicate the search.

---

I know that. I think that there are more opportunities to get work because
of the number of films being made.

In a small town with three or four movie in production they may need three
or four PA's for each - for a total 9 to 16. Here in LA (or NY) there are,
perhaps, 15 to 20 movies in production. 45 to 80 openings for people just
getting started.

At the equipment rental house I use (one of over 20 in town) they equip 20
to 30 shorts and 8 to 10 features each month. That could mean that there
are 400 to 600 shorts and 160 to 200 features being made each month here.

=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

True, but if the person is not in Hollywood or NY...

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

...then they can't volunteer on any of those movies.

I wasn't suggesting that you can't get experience elsewhere
because I know you can - movies are being made all over the world
and they all need crew. My comment was restricted to your comment
that Hollywood and New York are filled with unions and insurance
issues and are unlikely to allow volunteers.

In my experience that isn't the case.

=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

Seems my wording was poorly chosen then.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA