Behind the Scenes w/ David Brown - Getting my first job in Hollywood.

From Small Town to Silver Screen: How I Landed My First Hollywood Job

Ever wonder how people break into Hollywood? It's not always glitz and glamour. My path was a mix of childhood dreams, lucky breaks, and a whole lot of hustle. This article dives into my journey, from growing up in a small town to landing my first gig in the film industry.

Movies as an Escape

Growing up, movies were my escape. My dad struggled with addiction, and those few hours in a theater allowed me to forget reality. I was transported into another world, another story, another life. This fascination with film stayed with me.

The "Black Dog" Premiere

One of my earliest memories was attending the premiere of a movie called "Black Dog" starring Patrick Swayze. It was shot in my hometown in Middle Tennessee. My mom won tickets on the radio! The premiere was held at the brand-new Hollywood 27 theater near Hunter Oaks Mall.

I was in fourth or fifth grade, and the theater felt enormous and futuristic with its neon lights. Even though we were just regular attendees, I remember the excitement of the red carpet. The flashing lights, the buzz in the air, and the collective anticipation were palpable. I realized then that all those hours of hard work that go into making a movie culminated in this one night.

Early Movie Obsessions

Even before the premiere, I was hooked on movies. I remember staying up late to watch "Tremors" with Kevin Bacon. Movies captivated me early on, fueling my ambition to be part of that world.

The Hollywood Dream vs. Small-Town Reality

Around the age of 16, I started plotting my move to Los Angeles. I put together budgets and job proposals for my family. I was determined to convince them to move. But where I'm from, Hollywood wasn't seen as a viable career. I was constantly told it wasn't a real job or a realistic dream. The expected path was college, a stable job, marriage, and kids.

A Detour into Construction Management

Despite my dreams, I went to college for construction management. My dad was a paint contractor, and the housing boom in Middle Tennessee made it seem like a practical choice. It wasn't my passion, but it felt like the "responsible" thing to do at the time.

MySpace, a Makeup Artist, and a One-Way Ticket

Everything changed when I met a special effects makeup artist on MySpace. He had worked on big films like "Resident Evil" and "Pirates of the Caribbean". It was a stroke of luck.

He was heading to India for a shoot and offered me his apartment to housesit. This was my chance. A place to stay while I tried to break into Hollywood.

I was 19 or 20, broke, and had never been to L.A. My grandmother, always my biggest supporter, gave me her credit card number. I bought a one-way ticket to LA.

Leaving Everything Behind

I dropped out of college, parked my car at the airport, and boarded that plane. It felt like a point of no return. I was committing to this dream.

First Impressions of Los Angeles and a Lucky Break

The makeup artist showed me around L.A. during my first few days. I remember driving down Ventura Boulevard. The rows of palm trees seemed magical. Like something out of a movie. I felt like I was finally where I was supposed to be.

Then, another lucky break. The makeup artist's film got pushed back. He picked up a job on a Budweiser commercial called "Tell the Story". He recommended me for the job. Within days of arriving in L.A., I landed my first Hollywood gig!

What Does a Set PA Do?

I started as a set PA. A set production assistant works under the assistant director (AD) department. The job involves anything and everything asked of you. Getting coffee, doing lockups (securing the set), and assisting production. It's a demanding role, but it's a foot in the door.

Impressing the Right People

Someone told me to impress the UPM (unit production manager) or line producer. They're in charge of hiring and firing. So, I made sure to be on my feet, always offering water or Diet Coke, and working hard. A strong work ethic is crucial.

The Payday

Commercials pay well. I went from being a broke college kid to making $300 a day. My first paycheck was around $1,000. That was huge! Especially since I was staying rent-free.

Hustling and Networking in the Early Days

Before email became widespread, there was something called the Production Alert. It was a weekly list of film and TV shows that were crewing up.

I went to FedEx Kinko's and faxed my resume to every number on that list. It cost $1.49 per page per fax. I didn't have much experience, but I was determined.

Short Film Gigs

I got a few calls and worked on some short films. I took any opportunity to gain experience and build my resume.

The Gig Economy and House Cleaning

Film careers aren't your typical 9-to-5 jobs. It's a gig economy. You work on a project for a few weeks or months, then you're looking for the next one.

Between jobs, I had to hustle. I cleaned houses to make ends meet. I'd spend half my earnings faxing resumes.

The Rise of Tax Credits and the Exodus to Louisiana

Around 2007, tax credits became popular. Film work started leaving L.A. for places like Louisiana. This made it even harder to find work.

From L.A. to Louisiana: A Big Break

The UPM who hired me for the Budweiser commercial called my roommate. He offered him work on a project shooting in Louisiana. My roommate recommended me to the UPM. This led to the opportunity to work as a local PA in Louisiana.

Working as a Local

When filming on location, they usually hire local PAs. They flew in key crew members and hired the rest locally. I stayed with my roommate in his hotel and worked on set with him. It was my first experience working on a feature film outside of L.A.

Dimension Films and Back-to-Back Projects

That first movie led to four back-to-back movies for Dimension Films. I networked and got hired on eight productions within my first year of moving to Los Angeles.

Climbing the Ladder

My work ethic and networking skills helped me climb the ladder quickly. It's amazing how fast you can advance in Hollywood if you're willing to work hard.

I hope this article has given you a glimpse into my early days in Hollywood. It wasn't easy, but it was worth it. If you're interested in the business side of film, check out FilmMoney.