Career Panel with Film and TV Industry Professionals
Reel Works held our first Career Panel where we had conversation with film and television industry professionals working in production and post-production.
Our guest speakers included: Sergei Franklin, Director of PhotographyAnastasia Weeks, News Video Operations Manager at BuzzfeedJon O’Sullivan, Camera OperatorKishori Rajan, Executive Producer for HBO’s Random Acts of FlynessMalika Franklin, Digital Imaging Technician/ColoristMitsuko Alexandra Yabe, Music EditorAleks Gezentsvey, EditorMichael Barry, Re-Recording MixerFrancis Power, Post-Production SupervisorThe panel was a great chance for Reel Works students to meet professionals in the field and to learn about different careers they could pursue. Panelists shared about their first internship experience that led them to where they are at today. 
Students shared some key takeaways that they learned were:
- Never be late to a set. If you’re early, you are on time. If you’re on time, you’re late.
- Intern at places and different departments. It’s important to try out different roles. Even taking an internship to eliminate and learn what you aren’t interested in, is important.
- Network! Get to know the people around you. You never know who could help land you a job.
- Your reputation is more important than your resume.
- Ask people around you what they charge to get a good understanding of what your starting rate could be. Make sure you have a paper trail or contract to ensure that you get paid.
- You can make short films with a low budget. Be creative with getting the right equipment - consider using natural lighting by shooting outside, rent equipment, start a Gofundme, ask a relative to sponsor you, and more.
