What would be the best way to approach production companies when looking for a job in Film and TV? :)

I’m a costume student looking for advice on how it’s best to start my career! I know it’s a very hard to get into film and tv without connections and I’m looking for any tips on the industry in general as well if you have any.

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  • I am rather old fashioned but I'm a huge believer in going in person- if you can find out who actually does the hiring. Otherwise I think a hand written letter is so rare nowadays that they can make an impression. Always take some work (in the flesh if you don't have professional standard photos.Hilight your practical skills- there are so many design students who can't actually sew, which is prety useless I'm afraid. Solve a problem for them if you can- ask what problems they have. For example my start was some work experience at the National Theatre- at the time they had Judi Dench in a production of the sea- she cut up yards of velvet onstage and the props dept put it back together with an overlocker for the next performance. Unfortunately (well fortunately for me) they didn't understand it needed leveling up before rejoining it, they had been buying new velvet becasue it was such a rocky road.
    They offered me 2 weeks work experience and I spent 2 full weeks 8 hours aday ripping it straight rejoining it by overlocker then putting it back on the bolts- without complaint without demurr keeping the overlocker running myself. My 2 weeks finished and it looked as if I had wasted my time, I left, nothing was said all the velvet was neatly on bolts. Iwent back to LCF and my course. Two weeks later they called me to ask me to go in and help the alteration hand, I did 3-4 days a week for 2 years before I had even finished my HND. The contacts I made there were enough for a 25 year freelance career. I do ocassional job for TV if I get a call I'll give them your details in cas they are looking for an assistant.
  • Hi George. Just reach out to companies. Of course many are shuttered but still best to connect with persons via zoom. No harm in trying.

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