Anything Goes : Networking? by K. M. Joshi

I don't do any online networking. Experience has shown it to be the habitat of the lost/ignorant and amateurs who have nothing to offer but are desperately looking for a genie to grant them their every wish. In person is the only way of making in roads into the filmmaking & TV industry. Of course, I'm old - what the hell do I know?

Doug Nelson

Haha, more than I do, probably! Thanks for sharing.

Lotta sharks, never "pre-pay" on anything....gotta bring interest, not buy interest, remember that...

It almost seems all online communication, including semi-eye to eye -- like Skype (etc) is bad. Also go into the idea that you may not present your dreams and/or have an opinion about whatever concerning the movie business when you're an amateur. Everybody is entitled to "freedom of thought and speach" Even if he/she didn't "economically prove worths that thought." Sure a lot of people only dream and not actively try to make that dream come true, indeed, think others will solve their problems. Just don'tt rub it in, especially (focussing on pros here) if you're convinced that you know better.

Sometimes -- when a group of friends want to go to movies, read a logline list, act like being an audience, discussing, wanting to choose the best movie. Experiencing a fun time having an opinion on what movie they like and not; what is a good and a bad movie for them. Heg, even deciding not going to the movies anymore...

Lately it seems that there is more and more black versus white thinking, no grey inbetween thinking, feeding polarisation. This wories me.

Also do not think that this means people can not make controversial movies anymore, should play it save because 'OF' polarisation. Again, this would kill freedom of speach, and will only spread polarization more.Not even talking about entering 'the age of dull' movies; entering the twilight zone.

Please do not "like" these thoughts, just have your own thought, focussing on the greys.

Those are always good advice, Kiril Maksimoski!

You raise many interesting points, Rutger Oosterhoff. Yes, the elitist behavior from people on the internet (especially on websites like Reddit and Twitter) is genuinely distressing. However, there are also genuinely helpful and good people on the internet. I guess it's just a matter of sorting through the pile of various types of people and finding the ones we care about.

I have a very different experience of online networking to these guys.

Take my latest job, for example. A producer I don't know and have never spoken to tagged me in a Twitter shoutout for a composer (she wasn't connected to the film but clearly thought I might fit). I responded to the director and producer who did the shoutout. We had a couple of initial meetings, got on really well, I agreed to do the film, and now we're working closely together and forming a good working relationship that I think might become a friendship afterwards. I of course followed up with the initial producer I didn't know thanking her for thinking of me- now she's a contact too. Wins all round.

Or one of my next projects, where the director was posting about her new film on facebook. I thought it sounded incredible and messaged her on insta. We connected really well and have been texting/messaging ever since. The film shoots later this year and I'm now officially attached to it. She's a force of nature and I'm sure the film is going to do very, very well.

So to answer your questions- yes, if you do it thoughtfully, online networking can be just as fruitful as face to face. I probably get more work from online networking than physical, especially in the last few years. But you've got to be considered in how you do it. There's no point being a virtual spam billboard or reaching out to absolutely anyone you find. It's about putting your work out there thoughtfully, cultivating meaningful connections, and forming friendships alongside working relationships; those are the things that mean you'll find it easier to get work, find work that aligns with your core values and interests, and to form fruitful long-term collaborations with people you actually like and enjoy working with (and who like you back- which is very important too!)

Said very eloquently!!!!!!!! I agree!