As a freelancer for 15+ years, I can attest that 100% of this advice is true. 75% of my jobs have been from word of mouth, 20% from face-to-face encounters and only 5% from me pitching new ideas via email. The best thing is, this advice works in any other industry. Thanks Luc for the best video on the topic I've seen so far.

@LucForsyth

6 ай бұрын

Thanks man, appreciate it...happy networking!

@WangleLine

6 ай бұрын

I can attest to this too.

@kooistradurk

5 ай бұрын

Agreed. But the 5% cold calling/mailing brings in the word of mouth too. This accumulates.

I’ve been in this business for ten years and I can tell you everything said in this video is 100% correct. Grabbing a cup of coffee with someone is a tremendous investment. Face to face networking is key.

@LucForsyth

6 ай бұрын

☕ for the win! Thanks for sharing man!

Very true. Hooked up with a renowned doc filmmaker/ professor for a coffee, then he referred me to his protege, then gave me his article to read and critiqued the hell out of it and now we work together.

I'm still learning, and for that reason I advocate for doing short documentaries for free, but I specifically do them for small non-profits who would never have that in their budget anyway. I mean, these people can't even pay for chips and soda for their volunteers. One I am working on right now is about whales. I will end up spending close to $3k on it. Why would I do that? Well, I have never filmed or photographed wildlife. Also, I meet lots of people on boards of directors and such. It is taking a while for the money to come in, but it does come in.

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

This sounds very familiar...it's funny how things end up paying you back in weird ways. In the end you get it back, it just might take a while

@anneboyer6359

6 ай бұрын

Well you have the means however hard this may be for you, to put 3k into this. Most people can barely make rent on time with whatever they make.

@rivvidproductions

6 ай бұрын

I’m in the process of filming a free documentary-style video campaign for a local non-profit. I definitely don’t have the means to pay into it, but in my opinion it’s for a great cause, it is going to challenge me creatively and I know that my relationship with the board members will pay off when they or others that they know need more video work!

Not just a delivery of this message, but in the style in which you delivered it, set yourself apart from almost anyone else out there looking to gain an edge. Great advice!

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

Very nice to hear, thank you!

Not just for filmmakers... but great advice for life. Always invest in yourself.

I like the fact you recorded this out in the wild and not on some dumb networking party. I appreciate you sharing your approach, thank you!

I work for UPS and we just had a community out reach event. Im a new film maker and immediately offered to do it for free. The first 45 seconds of the video left an impression for alot of people. I was told by friends to not do it for free-but who am I to make such demands when i have no merit or backround on film making? I saw it as an experience and opportunity to add to my portfolio. I truly love the process and time doing it.

Terrific advice as always. Thanks Luc! BTW, I like the change of scenery. Recording live from the arctic is a nice change of pace and is working really well for your videos. I like it!

I came back to this video after two weeks just to say THANK YOU for your real story on networking and how things really work. The example of people that are writing to you in a way things they would like to work is very eye opening. I made the same mistakes in my carrier. Lost time, energy and I was frustrated that no result are coming back to me. Now seeing that from another perspective and hearing it from another person that is thousands of miles away makes so much sense. Keep up the value and the energy in your channel!

This might be one of my favorites of your videos. I work on docs as well (in California) and I teach filmmaking at a university and have a lot of students asking these questions. You are making some perfect points throughout. Go Canada! I will be promoting your channel deeply this week (and asking them not to bombard you with requests).

Definitely some of the most grounded, realistic, and helpful advice about the industry that I’ve come across on KZread. Thank you and I hope you’ll continue with this channel!

Great stuff Luc! I was a freelance DP and Location Scout in DFW for 15 years before I found a a pretty great 8-5 Corp. Director position. You are incredibly right about meeting the right people and making the connections. It took me a couple of years out of college to get the ball rolling but after I did, I was having to turn down a lot of jobs. I did a lot of local, smaller jobs and travelled about twice a month so a lot was quantity way over quality, but I do remember doing the pro-bono jobs to get my name out there, and getting flak from my colleagues as well. But everything worked out in the end! Thanks for doing this, great info!

Great advice. The warm touch and the building of a relationship not to mention people acknowledging that you have made a concerted effort to connect makes a big impact.

Luc, thank you so much for posting this video. As a short filmmaker who's getting started, your advice has really helped me a lot. I will take every word you said in this video when I network with other people in the film industry, whether they're from Hollywood, New York, New England or even Mexico.

Your channel is just was I needed at this stage! Thank you

Thank you for this. This wisdom clearly applies to many entrepreneurial endeavors or start-up activities for beginning anything beyond film making.

Mate. This is SO useful. Thank you for putting this out there

Great advice but also the down to earth vibe of your delivery made me feel comfortable subbing. Excellent work and your doco work looks great.

I really love this video. Great nice way to explain everything.

Man i was searching for this video i finally found it again, I wanted to give a thanks because this video quite literally helped me land a job and a oppertunity i've been waiting and wishing for. So huge thanks to you and your knowledge. Watching people with more expierience has definitley payed off and i've learned alot!

Love this channel. Great information.

Loved this video. Thanks, Luc!

Crazy good insights Luc! thank you for sharing👍

Great video Luc!

This is the first video I have seen from you. Good stuff man. Appreciate you sharing.

Hey, amazing well-spoken advice! There is noticeable editing mistakes in the video but the straightforward advice and clear sound quality makes up for it completely

Very VERY wise words... you've just gained another follower !

Great video Luc - really helpful breakdown as always on an often misunderstood topic. Awesome to hear the perspective from someone who actually gets a lot of networking emails sent their way. Looking forward to what you’ve got next, and stay warm up there!

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

Thanks! Maybe I should do an interview with a production manager sometime and see what they say...

This is some of the most straightforward advice for freelancers that I have heard online. This is the kind of stuff you normally only hear from professionals at a university. In my experience doing freelance post production just a handful of the right contacts that make your whole business and 90% of the time clients don't even want to look at your reel if you come with a recommendation from someone they trust. Thank you for reminded me to make some more meetings happen and expand my network! Great advice!

Great piece. Fundamental guidance even outside of the filmmaker industry. Thank you.

Great video and advice Luc. Thank you for organizing this succinctly so I can share it with my team and friends 🙏

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

Fantastic, glad it helped!

Thanks for taking time out of your day to make these videos.

this video is full of actual helpful advice. I've been thinking about moving to new york for a couple months now, but i didnt want to go back to film school or do nothing, so I was stuck trying to land projects there from afar. The networking trips you mentioned sounds way more promising, im actually going to do that. thanks!

This is great advice! Love the channel.

Great advice, as always 👍. Useful, inspired, and sincere.

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

Great to hear, glad you liked it!

Great advice Luc! Not everyone has a gift for Networking - it's a skill. This helps - thanks!

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

Definitely!

Useful information thank you. Jason

Speak the truth brother, that is some really good advice. I have worked in feature films and recently started working in Television and Reality as a 1st AC. People breaking into this industry have to understand that you got to offer up your time in exchange for opportunities and knowledge. You’re also right about attitudes, that can really bring down a crew ( especially when you’re going on your 14th hour).

That’s solid advice that everyone should take to heart 👍

This is soo good! Love the movement and especially the color❤❤❤

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

Thanks Robert, much appreciated!

Fantastic tip. Looking back most of my best gigs have been a result of meeting people face to face, right time right place.

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

I think that's the way it goes for most people!

This advice is so true. This was the first thing I learned when I entered art school. A lot of my acquaintances from college who partied pretty often are now working with the same people they used to go to parties to. I lived an hour and a half away from the city and when I was young I couldn't afford to go out as much since my family wasn't that well-off. When I entered the business, a lot of my peers were already well established, cliques had already been formed. I'm still trying to find my way into this space but I've slowly gotten my name out there. It's thanks to one of my friends that I've even gotten in.

All great advice, Luc! I definitely need to start networking a bit more in my local area (Philadelphia). Love your videos - always take away great, practical advice.

This is great advice Luc. I would also like to add another strategy that I've used to good effect; charitable work, as in for actual charities. You'll show up on people's radars, do some good in the world, and build out your reel.

Thanks for the tips Luc! Fantastic stuff! 🙌

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

Glad to hear it!

Love your videos as always!

Thank you so much Luc, excellent advice that nothing worth doing is easy and life doesn't land on your lap when you want it to.

thank you for this, it was really helpful. ❤

noticed - how your content is catered right to those who need to learn from where you've been! good work.

The audio is superb 🔥🔥

Awesome Video. Thank You again for your words of wisdom.

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

You're very welcome!

thanks tremendously. Great thoughts

There’s some gold in here!

Such good advice Luc... Found your channel looking at a camera review, but your self help videos are so insighful... Im defiantly going to approach new clients differently after watching this video.. Especially for my real estate photography .. cheers man!

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

Great to hear, happy it helped!

Thank you so much for this. This is huge. I am also glad you did not mention social media. I love the idea of going out of your way to get further in your career. I've already downloaded the guide! 🙏🏿 Also shout-out to my fellow Canadians!

@LucForsyth

6 ай бұрын

🇨🇦

Nice to see the KZread algorithm finally showing me videos I like. I'm looking forward to seeing more.

Fabulous advice. Thanks for this!

@LucForsyth

2 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Finally someone who actually talks about the “promo” part if you can call it that. And in good timing. I’ve been trying for weeks now to find out more about networking, but barely any results

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

It’s tough, but hopefully this helps a bit! Good luck my friend!

@scottjohnnyhelgemoaune2951

7 ай бұрын

@@LucForsyth oh yeah, it helped a lot! Ofcourse, I’m far from New York. If you know what I mean😉 But your tip was really flexible for most cities.😊

@scottjohnnyhelgemoaune2951

7 ай бұрын

@@LucForsyth oh yeah, it helped a lot! Ofcourse, I’m far from New York. If you know what I mean😉 But your tip was really flexible for most cities.😊

Thank you so much for these tips, now i got something

Thanks for the tips! 😃

Thanks a lot! I reckon this starts with getting good enough that producers will want to hire you, but I’ll definitely do this once I get there!

Thanks Luc.

Thanks for another informative and interesting video, hoping to bring some of your tips to my own work.

Really good advice!

Yet another video full of GOLD ❤️‍🔥

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

👊🏻

I was JUST thinking about all this! Thanks for the tips!

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

Birds of a feather!

Terrific video, as usual, Luc.

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

Thanks!

A great lesson, and this translates to other creative arts!

Yeah Luc came through with alot of practical advice and a lil bit of mindful energy with the path of least resistence, as a filmmaker and creative i learned alot from this.

This is good advice. Too many of my peer film students I graduated with take the wrong approach. Thinking you're being transparent and honest sometimes is not the way to go about it. Be honest of course, but don't focus on how honest you're trying to be. Every email I write to people when networking includes ways I can contribute my skills to them. You will also notice you make better connections with the odd ones out. The ones who are flighty, want to be loved by all, and generally have 0 chill are not desirable to work with. Those people however are the loudest when making connections, so be wary.

Fantastic video. Thanks for the insights!

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

You're very welcome!

I don’t like to “waist” time either, that’s why I watch this channel. So I don’t waste my time making mistakes, and can learn from others much smarter than me. Yes we have all done it! Myself included!

Loved this, great job Luc.

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

Great to hear, appreciate it!

Great advice as always!

Your advice about only needing a few good clients to come back is true in many industries. I work primarily as a yoga therapist, and my regular clients and students are my bread and butter.

Thank you so much for making this video, I have been working in the industry and attending university at the same time and I have been brainstorming on how I want proceede after this fase of my life and career, and this made me unblock my train of thought.

Really good advice. I'm only 3 years in and the people I've met irl are way more worth it than all the cold DMs and emails.

Wow thank you so much for this video! I’m planning on moving from Louisiana to California, and needed this tip on how to properly network

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

Nice one! Good luck with the move!

this is super helpful man, thank you! I am moving to California next month, and will be switching from working at a creative agency as a videographer in the south, to a freelance DP. And San Francisco will be the biggest hub near me, so I’m planning dig into your philosophy and give this a shot!! I was thinking of doing something similar, but this just brought even more clarity. Thx man!!

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

Awesome - happy travels!

What a great statement to make, I hope you help a lot of aspiring filmmakers!

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

Me too!

Truth! Thank you Luc.

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

You're very welcome Brian!

wow, great advice. Thanks for that video!

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Great video.

Funny how relevant this is given I found you through your mexican experience and have a decade of filmmaking in the bank. Thank you, sometimes a little rephrasing makes a big difference.

This is so true. Been freelancing for 12+ years and this is full of great tips. Thank you for sharing for those wanting to make a living serving others with their skills.

This afvice is really good. Makes me want to get to it. Love the mittens.

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

thanks! They're very needed right now, -17 Celsius!

Haha, I typed out, "In this video, I'm gonna go over the most common mistakes you guys make when you email me", only to see you actually mention that in the video, lol. Great video like always! And you're absolutely right about networking, and I really need to start personally networking with people 🙃 Gotta put that anxiety aside.

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

It's not always easy to start, but at the end of the day it's what works. Good luck my friend!

this is awesome.

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

Love to hear it, thanks!

Great video! I’ve been a professional photographer a decade and this is great advice.

These are such valuable advices on how to network. In a world of ghosting and endless zoom meetings nothing beats a real world handshake and a 15min. talk in person.

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

💯

Yup. That's excellent feedback.

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

Awesome, glad it was helpful!

@Buck.Jolicoeur

7 ай бұрын

@@LucForsyth It's not "Who you know" It's "Who knows you." I like the advice around "Networking Trips". We said regarding the mindset around that wording. When I do information interviews, I never expect a return. I just want to meet them, get to know what they do, and at least just have a connection for information. Success is just the ability to follow through on dumb luck and good timing. The rest is just preparing for that.

Well said

I couldn't agree more. I had a long argument with my wife before booking a networking trip to LA last August. A few months later, I'm reaping the rewards of that trip.

Love the clip of the former Barge Chilling Park!

Oh my gosh, I really needed this, thank you! I've been fortunate enough to work on a few reality shows as a PA, and I'm on a show right now as a 3rd cam op, (I'm basically a solo second unit getting B-Roll after the main unit moves on to the next home.) It's been a good year, but I've been hesitant to reach out, you know imposter syndrome or what not, I'm working on it though.

Your videos on this channel help people more than you think. Best regards.

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

Love hearing that, thanks man!

Thank you for these gems

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

My pleasure!

Great video, I don't know how you manage to shoot full time and have the discipline to keep making youtube videos. Please keep them coming.

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

thanks man, appreciated! I won't say it's easy, but this channel is important to me so I make the time...somehow!

As always I love your video! If I may make a request for a video, I would love to see how you expose SLOG3 in real world situations. Not in a controlled environment but out in the sun and shade….it’s always hit or miss for me and I’ve not found a video where people go about showing how to expose outdoors and what their thoughts are for why they pick that exposure. This would be amazing if you would be willing to do it. Thanks for your videos! They have helped me out so much

@LucForsyth

7 ай бұрын

Thanks, I'll add that to the list - great idea!