If you want to become a writer / director / camera person / whatever - become a runner on a production.
You'll be networking without even trying. You'll get a feel for the industry from the inside. You'll see what everyone does for a living. It will be an invaluable experience. You will actually discover what the role requires and you'll be better placed to decide if it actually is what you want to spend the rest of life working towards / actually doing.
How do you become a runner?
Easy.
Stick your name down with your local film body. Ring around the production companies and ask to speak to a Production Manager or the office manager, or whoever handles the requests for jobs - every company has someone who handles this. Don't be an idiot on the phone. Rehearse what you want to say and remember to be friendly and nice.
Next, send a CV out to the relevant production companies. Make sure it's a well written CV with no more than two pages. No one really cares about the school you went to or what grades you got at GCSE. Replace this information with any practical skills you may have picked up. If you haven't picked up any practical skills yet (start picking them up now!) then include the GCSE's but don't make a big deal out of them.
If you get a meeting, dress smart/casual and be serious but friendly. Be honest about why you want the job. TV types are used to dealing with scheming 'talent' so they will see through any lie you decide to tell them. Honestly is the best policy here.
If you're lucky enough to land a job, be early, be energetic, and be reliable.
If you don't land a job – give it a few months and repeat the entire process.
That's it.
See you on set.
Tinchy.
