People always ask the Nevada Film Office (NFO) how to break into the acting and production world. I’d like to say we have super powers, that we are a real force to be reckoned with when it comes to the interests of our local production community! We laugh in the face of union strikes and we don’t sleep until everyone is in front or behind a camera! There is no rest for us until every talent has an outlet!

 

Unfortunately, this is not the case. While the film office is an answer team, a resource for the community, my gold lasso collects dust. The reality is that the Nevada Film Office is in charge of promoting Nevada as a film destination, and acting as a liaison between productions and the state, which includes intergovernmental and permitting departments as well as our local community of camera operators, production companies, make up artists, photographers and all the other skilled production personnel.

 

The two main areas of production we do not have direct influence on are financing and talent. We cannot pay for your movie to be made, nor can we cast it. We are a nonprofit state agency, our services are free, our answers are free, and our resources are free. So, we may have a utility belt, but no Batmobile (we do have a state owned minivan for location scouts, though).

 

With this being stated, it should be clear that the NFO can not do anything with an actor’s headshots or an indie film’s limited budget. We can, however, offer a few ideas and resources for those with talent deserving of their big break, but just need to take a crack at it, first.

 

 Nevada Production Directory

The Nevada Film Office publishes this annual directory of the businesses, services, and individuals in Nevada’s production industry. It is the ultimate resource for productions looking to hire local crew.

o        Actors and other talent can peruse the directory for Casting Facilities, Talent Agencies, and Acting Coaches.

o        With 100+ categories to list in, crew personnel can market themselves to producers and key decision makers all over the globe. Categories include everything from Make-up Artists to Editors, to Composers.

o        On a local level, Nevadans can use the directory as a job hunting guide. Students, inexperienced and experienced individuals should take advantage of having the local industry at their fingertips by reaching out to the Production Companies, Equipment Houses, Studios and Stages, Sound and Lighting Companies, etc. After all, these are the people who make up the industry and they may be looking for a great new employee, assistant, or intern.

o        The directory is sent out to directors, producers, studios, and other key decision makers all over the world and is distributed at industry trade shows and film festivals by the thousands.

o        The directory is free and available to anyone by calling the Nevada Film Office 1-800-NEV-FILM, or by visiting www.nevadafilm.com

 

Nevada Film Office Hotline

o        Productions in need of local crew, open casting calls, auditions, and special projects request to be announced on the Nevada Film Office Hotline.

o        The hotline receives over 800 calls per month and is a main resource for crew and talent to remain “in the know.”

o        Updated every week, there are always opportunities, as well as useful information on networking and collaborative websites and meetings.

o        Also free to the public, any professional in the industry may request to post an announcement. Perhaps a student film needs actors, or a local photographer is running a promotion on headshots and needs to get the word out to the right people, the hotline is the avenue.

o        The hotline is available 24 hours a day at (702) 486-2727.

 

Schools

o        UNLV, CSN and the Art Institute of Las Vegas are incredible resources for networking and learning. Take a class, attend a seminar, enjoy the film festivals, audition at casting calls, join a film appreciation group, and meet future filmmakers, producers, photographers and actors.

o        The Art Institute of Las Vegas http://www.artinstitutes.edu/lasvegas/

o        UNLV http://film.unlv.edu/index.html

o        CSN http://www.csn.edu/pages/1169.asp

 

Media

o        Review Journal columnist, Carol Cling, writes “Shooting Stars,” every Monday. It is an entertainment column where she informs readers of what’s shooting in Las Vegas as well as announcing cast and crew opportunities and auditions. Carol’s column can be found on the Review Journal’s website, http://www.lvrj.com/columnists/Carol_Cling.html

o        Do an internet search for industry publications, entertainment websites, blogs, and columns. Absorb as much information about the industry as possible.

o        Take advantage of online networking and marketing. Create a free MySpace page for marketing and networking with others in the same field.

o        Join online message boards such as Nevada Film Alliance, www.nevadafilmalliance.org.

o        Peruse Craigslist.org for production opportunities and other job seeking search engines.

o        Create a Google Alert for industry keywords to receive email news about companies, projects, and people in the business.

o        Be wary, these are merely suggestions of online resources, not endorsements or recommendations. Each person must research the credibility of any company, website, or organization.

 

This business is a machine. It only works as well as the people running it. And, breaking into this business requires more legwork than a bicycle. Sure, the old axiom is true, it’s “who you know,” but it is also what you do to get there. There are many tools to aid you, but you must be your own superhero.