Alexander Skarsgard is the son of Stellan Skarsgard. Dakota Johnson is the daughter of Don Johnson and the stepdaughter of Antonio Banderas. The film and television industry has a reputation for being impossible to enter without connections. You often hear stories about people who “knew someone” or were lucky enough to grow up around producers, directors, or actors.

But what if you don’t have those connections? You are the first in your family to want to work in this sector, not as an actor, but behind the scenes. You don’t have a famous aunt or anyone with close ties. Does this mean it’s impossible to build a career in the film or TV industry?

Fortunately, the answer is no. Many professionals in film, television, and entertainment began their careers in a similar manner: without a network or a clear roadmap. What they had was curiosity, persistence, a willingness to start small, and a little luck.

In this article, I’ll explain how to get your first job in the film or TV industry without connections. I also started out without connections and am still building my network. I will include practical steps you can take to start building experience and getting noticed.

Step 1: Understand How the Film and TV Industry Works

Always understand the field you’re approaching. You probably think you already know a lot if you watch movies and series. You have a sharp eye. Before you start applying for jobs in the film industry, it’s important to understand something that many beginners overlook:

The film and television industry is much bigger than directing or acting. Just because you see the actors and directors in an interview doesn’t mean that the 300 other crew members don’t exist. Some are more familiar roles like costume designer, while others are completely unfamiliar, like location manager, casting associate or a showrunner.

A production consists of dozens of departments and hundreds of professionals working behind the scenes. Some of the main departments include:

• Production
• Camera
• Sound
• Lighting (Grip & Electric)
• Art Department
• Costume and Makeup
• Locations
• Casting
• Post-production
• Development

Each department has its own hierarchy and entry-level positions. For example, someone working in production might start as a production assistant (PA) or runner, while someone interested in editing might begin as a post-production assistant.

There are two reasons why you should know the field quite in-depth. The first reason is very simple: if you want to get your first job in film or television, figure out which department interests you most. It helps you to focus on your job search, including the qualifications you need and the experience might help you get the job.

The second reason is that it will help you a lot when speaking to someone in the field. If you demonstrate that you understand the field and can contribute effectively to the work process, people are more likely to trust you, as you appear capable.

If you would already dive a bit deeper about working in an international field, you might want to read this blog as well.

Step 2: Gain Experience Before You Get Hired

One of the most frustrating things about getting your first job in film or TV is the classic paradox: you need experience to get hired, but you need a job to gain experience.

It can seem impossible, but here is where you can really take your destiny into your own hands. Because the solution is to create your own opportunities. Experience does not always need to be paid work; it can also come in other forms.

There are several ways to do this:

Work on student films

Film schools produce dozens of projects every year, and many of them need extra crew members. The perfect opportunity to already get to know the process on a small scale. Usually, these projects are scaled down from real commercial projects: the crew is smaller, the budget is smaller, and maybe it’s done mostly by volunteers instead of a paid crew. However, it goes great on your resume and also allows you to meet other people who are starting their careers.

Help independent filmmakers

Independent productions often rely on small teams and enthusiastic volunteers. It’s a small step up from the student films. Usually, these projects are a bit more professional and might also be more impressive to have on your CV. However, these projects may not always pay much, as usually their budget is still small. They do provide you with the hands-on experience.

Collaborate with creators

The modern way to learn about the production process is through online creators. YouTube creators, independent filmmakers and online producers are constantly creating content. Helping them with production, editing, or logistics can help you develop practical skills and also get a feel for the modern markets. Videos for an online audience can be very different from a full-length film.

If you’re interested in these options, you can often find adverts or messages for help online, or you can reach out to people/companies yourself that you find interesting. Especially if you offer your help for free, companies will be very willing to give you a role in their production process.

The goal here isn’t to build a perfect resume immediately, although having these experiences certainly helps. The goal is to show your future employees that you understand the basics of working in production.

Step 3: Build a simple and professional Industry CV

Often, when someone needs a crew for a project, they get an overload of interested people, among whom they will need to select the right person.

To get the attention of the recruiter, your CV is preferably clear, short, and easy to understand. In one glimpse, this person will decide whether you’re a potential candidate or not. You have 5 seconds before it’s put aside.

So, a beginner’s film industry CV should not need to be long. One page is usually enough.

You can include:

• Student projects you worked on
• Independent productions
• Relevant skills (editing software, scheduling, research, etc.)
• Education or courses
• Contact information

Don’t be afraid to mention even the small projects. What matters most is showing that you are reliable and motivated.

It’s also important to take good care of how you design your CV. If you only have 5 seconds and the lines are jumping left and right, you’re out. If the least interesting information is on top of your page, you’re out.

After creating your CV, give it to someone who isn’t familiar with your work and count 5 seconds. What is their feedback? What do they remember about your CV? That should tell you enough whether you need to change it or everything you want is getting across.

Step 4: Use Online Platforms to Find Film Industry Jobs

If you’re looking for your first job, you don’t know any different: the internet is always there. But it’s an advantage that the previous generations didn’t have. In the past, finding film or TV jobs often required already knowing someone in the industry. Today, many productions post opportunities online.

Some places to look include:

• Film industry Facebook groups
• LinkedIn
• Production job boards, like Backstage
• Film commission websites
• Film school networks

For TV and film, there are often specific websites that collect job vacancies from several other platforms. Sometimes you can also use these places to put a message out that you’re looking for a job.

These platforms often include postings for:

• Production assistants
• Internships
• Junior production roles
• Short-term crew positions

Checking these regularly increases your chances of finding your first opportunity.

Step 5: Look for Entry-Level Jobs in Film and TV

Your first job in the entertainment industry will probably not be glamorous. You won’t immediately be the new Stephen Spielberg, responsible for directing a multimillion-dollar movie. You need to grow to the top.

Many successful producers, directors, and executives started their careers as:

• Production assistants
• Runners
• Development interns
• Production office assistants
• Junior researchers for TV programs

As in every other sector, you will start low in the hierarchy. It might involve making coffee, moving equipment, or organising paperwork. It doesn’t seem as exciting as you might hope for when you look at the glamour of the sector, but it’s very valuable work and you do contribute to the final result. It teaches you how the sector works in practice, and you will soon discover some details are quite different from what you thought now that you’re in the middle of it.

For example, working as a runner or PA will teach you things that no textbook can explain, such as:

• How a film set operates
• How production teams communicate
• How schedules are managed
• How departments collaborate

In other words, you start understanding the industry from the inside, without carrying large responsibilities yet.

Step 6: Learn the Power of “Soft Networking”

The title is about how to get a job without connections, but the problem is that connections are key to getting inside the sector and also to getting anything done within the sector. So, if you don’t have connections yet, it’s time to create them.

Networking can sound intimidating, especially if you feel like you don’t know anyone in the industry. But you can start out small, just to get the ball going. If you want to work in IT, you don’t start by asking the CEO of Google. The same goes for TV and series. Check in your neighbourhood who is doing something in the field and ask them for a cup of coffee. Maybe they can then connect you to the next person and so on.

Networking does not have to mean attending fancy industry events or introducing yourself to famous producers. Often, it starts with something much simpler and more one-on-one.

Other ways to network:

• Talking to colleagues on set
• Reach out to someone about their career path
• Staying in touch with people you worked with
• Helping others on projects
• Connect on LinkedIn and send them a message when they accept.
• Mention to everybody (also outside the sector) what your future plans are. You will be surprised by who can have connections that might be useful for you

Film and television are collaborative industries. People often hire colleagues they trust and enjoy working with. This means your reputation matters just as much as your technical skills. If you are known as someone who is reliable, friendly, and hardworking, people will remember you. And those small connections can slowly turn into a professional network.

A little while ago, I wrote this blog about how the entertainment industry is changing and how network and reputation is now more important than ever. Sometimes even more than being talented.

Step 7: Build a Reputation

In a sector that relies on trust and skills, reputation is everything.

In the film and television industry, reputation travels fast. Productions often rely on recommendations when hiring crew members. Someone might ask a colleague, “Do you know a good production assistant?” or “Do you know someone reliable for the art department?”If your name comes up in those conversations, you are already ahead.

So what builds a strong reputation? Usually, it comes down to simple things:

• Being reliable
• Showing respect to colleagues
• Staying positive during long days
• Delivering what you promised
• Being professional, even under pressure

People remember how you make their workday easier. If you helped them out, even if it was outside your task list. Or if you helped avoid a potential fight by jumping in. Usually, the reputation is based on a certain balance between you being reliable and strict to make the project happen and being human enough to do it in a good and soft manner.

These positive impressions often lead to your next opportunity.

Step 8: Don’t Be Afraid to Reach Out

One of the biggest misconceptions about the entertainment industry is that you should wait until someone discovers you, or you just react to things that are already online or sent out. You respond to auditions, you react to a vacancy.

In reality, many professionals found their first opportunity by simply reaching out and asking. In step 2, I told you to be proactive. This is part of it: don’t just react to what already exists, create the opportunities as well.

For example, you can:

• Send polite emails to production companies
• Ask if they accept interns or assistants
• Introduce yourself after industry talks or screenings
• Connect with professionals on LinkedIn

Of course, not everyone will respond. Usually not because they don’t like your mail or if you disturbed them, but because agendas are filled with meetings today and everybody is running to get everything done in time.

In general, people really appreciate it if you contact them. The key is to approach people respectfully and show genuine interest in the work they do. Everybody in this sector loves their work, as it is hard work but it also gives a lot of satisfaction. Therefore, they also love to talk about their job and the sector. And in the end, people are selfish beings and love to talk about themselves anyway.

Sometimes, one conversation is enough to open a door.

Step 9: Be Someone People Want to Hire Again

Once you land your first job in film or television, you should not only focus on completing the job. As mentioned on September 6, people hire colleagues whom they trust and enjoy working with. So, you need to build your reputation and with a good reputation the chances increase that they will hire you again. That is how many careers in the entertainment industry actually grow.

On film sets, the crew members who get hired again and again usually share a few qualities:

• They arrive early
• They stay organized
• They are proactive
• They remain calm under pressure
• They maintain a positive attitude

Film and TV sets also have their own culture and etiquette. Understanding these unwritten rules will help you stand out in a positive way. For example:

Respect the chain of command

Each department has a clear hierarchy. If you are unsure about something, ask your direct supervisor rather than approaching the director or producer immediately.

Stay aware of your surroundings
Film sets can be busy and sometimes dangerous environments with cables, lights, and moving equipment. Being attentive is important.

Listen more than you speak
When you are new, the best thing you can do is observe and learn from experienced crew members.

Be proactive, but not disruptive
Offering help is appreciated, but always make sure it fits your role.

Productions move fast and rely heavily on teamwork. If you become someone who helps the team run smoothly, people will remember that. Also, film and TV crews often make long days, up to 14 hours a day. People with a negative attitude or chaotic are often difficult to work with, especially at the end of the day when everybody is tired and a bit quicker to anger.

In this industry, being remembered for the right reasons can lead to your next opportunity.

Step 10: Be Open to Different Paths Into the Industry

This is a very important step, but people find it really difficult to believe in. When people imagine working in the film or TV industry, they often picture a very specific path. For example, from film school to assistant and finally director.

In reality, careers in the entertainment industry rarely follow such a straight line. Many professionals enter the industry through unexpected roles. Someone might start in marketing for a production company and later move into development. Others begin in post-production and eventually move onto set. Some start in a completely different field and then end up on a film set.

My career started with a government role where I was setting up a marketing strategy for the local arts institutes. But that gave me so much network and opportunities to see how different organisations work, that it enabled me to roll into the entertainment sector.

Roles outside the traditional production structure can provide valuable experience, think about roles such as:

• Talent agency assistants
• Development interns at production companies
• Distribution assistants
• Production office coordinators
• Research assistants for TV programs

These positions help you understand how projects are created, financed, and distributed and will be incredibly valuable when you work within a film or TV organisation. And if you want to build a long-term career in film or television.

So instead of focusing only on one specific job title, try to stay open to opportunities that bring you closer to the industry environment. This is also one of the reasons why I mentioned in step 1 that it’s important to know which skills or qualities you need. Sometimes it’s not about accepting a specific job; sometimes you want to take a role to achieve or learn specific skills that you need in another future role.

Your first role is simply the beginning of the journey.

Step 11: Keep Learning the Craft

Here is where you can stand out from the crowd. The entertainment industry evolves constantly. New technologies, storytelling formats, and production methods are introduced every year.

Be up to date with the latest developments. Maybe even invest extra time to impress people with your knowledge. Even if you already have your first job, continuing to learn will help you move forward. When they notice you have advanced ideas, you will rise in their admiration. For example, take a look at this blog about creating a film budget.

You can develop your skills in many ways:

• Watching behind-the-scenes documentaries
• Taking short courses in editing, production, or screenwriting
• Learning industry software, such as scheduling or editing tools
• Reading interviews with filmmakers and producers
• Research the internet on specific trends or foreseeable trends
• Check outside the sector if there are ideas, tools or software that you might want to bring into the TV and series sector.

Understanding the bigger picture of how films and television shows are made will help you become more valuable as a professional. Curiosity is one of the most appreciated qualities in this industry.

Step 12: Careers in Film Take Time, so be patience

When you’re young, you want to be the CEO at 30. I’ve been there. I still feel it, I’m 32 and I often feel I’ve not done enough. I’ve done too little, achieved too little. But one of the most important things to understand about the film and TV industry is that careers usually grow step by step.

It is very rare for someone to immediately jump into their dream role. Instead, most professionals build their careers through a series of projects. For example, a career path might look like this:

Student film → production assistant → production coordinator → associate producer → producer.

Or

Runner → camera trainee → assistant camera → cinematographer.

These steps take time, but each project builds your experience, your confidence, and your network. That network slowly becomes one of your biggest assets.

Final Thoughts

When you decide to join the film or television industry, it may seem daunting if you don’t have a way in through connections. As I mentioned several times in this article, building those connections should be one of your main focuses as soon as you make the decision. Because you can get a first job without them, but in the long term, you’re going to need them.

Many professionals in the entertainment world started without connections. But they did have a few features in common: curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to begin at the bottom. Due to their energy and enthusiasm, they created their own pathway into the sector, by reaching out, by putting the effort in (sometimes without getting paid) and by trying and trying again.

Your first job may be small. It may involve tasks that seem far away from the creative side of filmmaking that you might dream of. But every project you work on teaches you something about the industry. You learn how productions operate, how teams collaborate, and how stories move from idea to screen. Over time, those experiences start to add up.

The people you meet become colleagues and friends. Your network expands. Small projects lead to bigger ones. The industry that once felt impossible to enter slowly becomes your professional environment.

Also, as you learn the industry, you might notice you need to redirect your original route or end goal. So many people thought they wanted to be a creative, but find out in the process that they actually prefer to be a producer. Or they start in marketing and find out they’re more creative than they originally thought. You will develop as a person as well.

So if you dream of working in film or television, remember this: You don’t need connections to start. But you need to take faith into your own hands and take action. With curiosity, persistence, and the courage to create that path.