I actually went to film school, and never seemed to be given something of a direct path or a hint of a way to get in, especially into the big leagues. It was always presented to me as something as “it’s who you know,” or “it’s all luck.” I ended up having a job working at our local Target store, pulling boxes carrying hundreds of pounds worth of clothing and groceries. I did that job for quite a while.

When one day, I found Friends in Film and I immediately signed up for it. I was just in the right state to take advantage of it. And the information in it is absolutely astounding!

Before I entered the program I was lost, full of enthusiasm, but could not find a way to break into the big budget arena that I desperately wanted to be in. It was nice seeing friends work on big productions, but it was discouraging not even getting looked at. This program completely changed the way I go about my business and the way I represent myself. I am more confident and courageous about going after jobs because of what Janet has been able to share with us over these past few months. She has a world of experience and knowledge and she is completely willing to give us all that information. Her wisdom is 100% applicable from the first day to your very last day on set!

I started the program after moving to Denver, CO. It is not the biggest film market by any means, yet I found that joining FIF after making my move actually made the transition easier. I did not know anyone in town, so many of the networking and vectoring tips that the program is based on gave me tremendous help in meeting other professionals and in finding work. Since I have been a part of this program, I have worked shows like The Bachelor, Shark Tank, NFL Network, various Reality Shows, Big budget commercials for companies like Ford and Nissan, as well as, narrative shorts and features.

Before Friends in Film I was in school, working retail jobs and freelancing. I got a talent agent with little hopes of making it to LA.

Since I started Friends in Film, my life and industry experience has strengthened with growth tremendously. I’ve loved and appreciated every minute of it.

Before Friends in Film my self confidence was low and I didn’t know if I was capable of making it in entertainment. Now I have confidence that everything will work out and I’m looking forward to the next set!

I worked on a night set recently. The director introduced me as one of the best PA’s around. He called me spectacular! I’d left an impression without even realizing it. It was an empowering feeling.

Because of FIF, I have specific goals and ambitions that will truly make it easier for me to work in my dream career as an actress! But another wonderful outcome of this program is that I also love the technical work of film! When I was little I always fantasized about being smart and doing fancy technical work (that I didn’t understand XD). I can actually do that!! And I get paid! Potentially a lot! lol.

I’m learning so much about myself and what I’m capable of! Acting is playing and make believe and I love it. But if I can be Grip or work with the cameras, I’ll be in another fantasy playground that I never even imagined would be open to me. :)))

Before FIF, I was pretty lost. I graduated with a degree in Theatre, and jobs were pretty difficult to find. Most wanted x number of years experience before they would even consider you, and the ones that wanted to hire you would pay either nothing or dirt for a job that takes all of your time. I was getting stuck because I wanted the experience to pursue the career, but couldn’t afford to work for free. I relocated to Wilmington to start trying out film on a small scale, and a month later, the film incentive crashed. Now I was really stuck.

When I came across your program, life changed so much. Using your methods to get on shoots works and has opened many doors. Since I’ve started the program in January, I have been on 5 shoots. I’ve met people who have never been on a set before and people who have been doing it for years. I’ve managed to stay in touch with a couple of people and am collaborating on ideas and scripts and just trying to learn as much as we can about bringing a film to life.

Before joining Friends in Film, the journey of working in the film and entertainment industry was daunting to the point where it made me immobile. I was good at doing the homework but when it would come time to leave the house and take ACTION, I would stop short.

Friends in Film has helped me understand the power of connecting with like-minded people and DOING. I am now the social bee at all the events I can find and people see me as a DOER! I am getting work on sets as a PA and learning something new every time. And now I can’t stop taking action!

Before Friends in Film, I had gotten some on set experience in college. I associate produced an indie film, PA’d on everything from Webseries to commercials, and I had even interned at a production company in New York City while I studied at Tisch! But once I graduated and applied for hundreds of internships with all the major Networks (CBS, NBC, FOX, etc.) Nothing. Then I tried for just ANY paid internship in my field. And eventually just anything included unpaid stuff. It was frustrating because I had all this training and no way to use it!

After joining FIF within that month alone I worked on three different films. 3 months in and I was ONLY doing paid work. 6 months in and I was having to turn down jobs cause I was so booked up! AND I was taking acting classes, going to Agent showcases, and so much more. Heck, last month I recorded my voice over demo in Commercials and I joined SAG in Jan with the money I made from PAing. I didn’t have to put my acting “on hold”. I simply added on PAing and used it as a spring board to get my acting career really moving!

The new story of my life is that I am in a very good place right now meeting film people and awesome professionals. And I am confident now about how to deal with life and knowing I could actually be great doing it. After learning all Janet’s stuff I can say that whatever job I’m in I will definitely rock it. People see me a differently now and I get the respect.

FIF gives me a lot of advantages.

Before Friends in Film, I was working an 8a-7p job in Psychology. Long hours. Rewarding work, but I always knew that I was not being fulfilled and that Psychology wasn’t the route for me. Film/TV is always where I wanted to be.

I had volunteered on a few student films, but never was able to get beyond that. I let my dream go, believing it was impossible to get into the industry. I believed that I wouldn’t be liked in the industry, and that I wouldn’t have a hard enough heart for it. All that to say, I did not have any confidence in myself or my abilities to follow my life-long dream of working in film (and when I say life-long, I mean since I was a kid I wanted to be a director/actor… I even made my own short films starting in 6th grade)!