Job Search Tools

The First AD Committee compiled this report comprised of the best of the suggestions made by the over 70 First ADs who participated in the First Assistant Director Committee annual invitational breakfast of November 14, 2009. It also includes a list of links to production listing periodicals and entertainment company websites.

Basic Job Search Suggestions

• Utilize Your Previous Contacts: Stay in touch with a wide network of people. As the market is now contracted with most hiring done through personal contacts, keep in touch with people from your past and remember to check in with them periodically.
• Work in a lower category to meet people: ‘Day playing’ is a great way to meet new people and form bonds. Sometimes a one-day job can lead to a long-term relationship.
• Do the Schedule: Doing a schedule can sometimes lead to a job.
• Explore Possibilities in New Media: Keep an open mind towards working on webisodes, viral video and internet based production. New technology is emerging with new job opportunities in new media, which the DGA has jurisdiction over.
• Learn the Rules to Take Advantage of Tax Incentives: As of November, 2009 only four features were shooting in L.A. while 40 were shooting in Michigan.
• Use the Internet: You can use IMDb Pro to get contact addresses and send letters out to companies. It is also important to monitor your IMDb profile and resume and keep it up to date. Facebook can be helpful as a both a networking tool and to post questions to your contacts.
• Make Your Days: By having made your days in the past, you can remind producers of that and how you have the energy to make your days.
• Be Proactive: Bring the money people and producers together - if you have those contacts, use them.
• Cultivate On Set Resources: Make friends with visiting agents on sets for information. DPs and Production Designers are good contacts for work search information and leads. Learn to get along with actors and pass the tests they might impose on you.
• Use Your Guild Resources: Utilize the DGA Availablity Lists. Attend all mixers at the DGA. Take recommendations from other DGA First ADs who can’t take the job.
• Don’t Get Complacent: Even if you land a job on a hit show, don’t get lazy and neglect networking. People will stop calling you otherwise. Always be trying to find new leads, and get traction as an AD.
• Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket: Directors often have their own people (1st and 2nd choices) so you should try to get on their radar. But don’t be too tied to just one person or a small group of people because if they’re not working, neither are you.
• Re-embrace DGA Professional Etiquette: View common courtesy as part of your professional code; return phone calls, and always follow up 

Job Listing Periodicals

The following information is excerpted from First AD Committee Member Babu Subramaniam’s report on job listing periodicals.

*I have found BASELINE (owned by the New York Times) to be the most extensive and and valuable to connect the dots with producers you may have worked for in the past. Most of the other subscription services appear to duplicate information originally appearing on BASELINE. - Babu Subramaniam 
 

Entertainment Company Websites

The following list of websites may help you with job searching. They were compiled by First AD Committee Co-Chair Mark Hansson from the Employment Development Department .

PLEASE NOTE: The information and materials posted above may contain inaccuracies or errors. The DGA does not endorse the content of such materials or information. The views, opinions and advice contained therein are those of the contributors alone, and you should not rely on them in making financial or professional decisions. You should consult an appropriate professional for specific advice tailored to your situation. 

The above information was compiled by the 1st AD Committee of the AD/UPM Council with input from top 1st ADs. This information represents part of a continuing effort to create online tools that will benefit ADs and the entire DGA community.

If you have any questions or suggestions about this page, please email FSantilla@dga.org