Film-industry career fair brings out 1,800 in search of reel jobs
Nearly 1,800 movie industry hopefuls got a first-hand taste of the “hurry-up-and-wait” nature of film production at Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission’s film industry job fair in Esquimalt on Jan. 28. “We were astonished at the turnout,” said Victoria film commissioner Kathleen Gilbert, in reference to the Reel Jobs in Film career fair. The event was held at the Pacific Fleet Club with a capacity of 315 people.
The event, staged with Chemistry Consulting, GT Hiring Solutions and the Inn at Laurel Point, was an attempt to bolster the region’s crew base.
Lineups formed before the six-hour session began at 11 a.m., with participants lining up again inside to speak with representatives including film producers, set decorators, location managers and grips.
“It was fantastic. I don’t think any of our current crew expected this kind of response,” said Fabiola Arias, an assistant production coordinator.
Arias, in pre-production for Front Street Pictures’ next Fixer Upper Mystery for Hallmark, advised those wondering how to get started to consider work as a locations production assistant.
“It’s even more useful than starting as an office [production assistant] because you get to see the action and be in a position where you’re not loaded with overwhelming responsibility. It’s a really good learning opportunity.”
An unexpected challenge Saturday was that several of Gilbert’s resource people were felled by the flu, prompting last-minute pleas to other film-industry workers to step in.
“Since our production co-ordinator was so sick, I called another person, Kate Frobeen, and said: ‘Can you please be here in 45 minutes?’ and she was,” said Arias.
Frobeen, a first assistant production coordinator, still had her coat on when she arrived, just as a scheduled presentation was about to begin and jumped onstage to participate.
“This is an industry where you have to persevere, and it’s competitive,” said Andrea Rodgers, the film commission’s office and locations co-ordinator, repeating a message conveyed throughout the day.
“There were lots of people with easily transferable skills there.”
The hair and makeup, production office, casting, costumes, art department and technicians’ union tables drew the longest lines.
While the commission is overwhelmed with inquiries, a template will be developed to give potential film workers an idea of what positions they’d be suited for based on their skillsets, Rodgers said.
To be listed on the commission’s crew database, a person needs to have at least one professional production on their resumé.
Gilbert expressed gratitude to local filmmakers who donated their time on short notice to share their expertise.
“I woke up on Saturday morning to four texts from people who were so sick they weren’t going to be able to make it,” she said.
Paul Russell, the veteran locations manager whose credits include Gracepoint and The Gourmet Detective franchise, was ill but drove down from Ladysmith to participate in a seminar, Gilbert said.
“It’s amazing how many film people took one of their only two days off to come stand at a booth all day,” said Gilbert.
In a bid to alleviate crowd-control issues, film workers were dispatched periodically to speak with people waiting outside.
Victoria Clements, a marketing and film and fashion event co-ordinator, shared stories about her film and TV experiences.
“I found most people were very nice and patient despite having to wait in line for 45 minutes to an hour,” she said. “You had to respect the capacity limits so it was one person in, one person out.
“It’s such a unique experience to be able to have one-on-one time with people who are working in this industry,” she said. “You’re getting it from the horse’s mouth.”