Last night, my husband and I attended a free Full Sail University Networking Mixer hosted by Full Sail University's career development department. At the mixer, we met people ready and willing to relocate to Atlanta for the entertainment industry.
Upon graduation, I applied to work as a Turner Temps at Turner Broadcasting but failed to land the job but desired to move away from Dayton, Ohio. There was a week between graduating from Wright State University and moving to Atlanta with a few hundred dollars in my pocket and a heart full of faith. I lived with friends I met while working on the Walt Disney World College Program in a two-bedroom apartment in Smyrna, GA.
When I moved to Atlanta, I didn’t have a job, so I interviewed with several temp agencies, worked a few days at a Public Relations Firm, and was a substitute teacher for a few preschools. Eventually, my friends moved into the city, and I needed to find a place to stay. It was tough. But, I managed to make connections with meaningful experiences in this budding Atlanta film and television market.
The following tips will make relocating a lot easier for you (learn from my mistakes):
1. Secure a Living
If you have not secured a job, or run a business, be sure to have at least six months of income saved, to survive.
2. Research
Before relocating to Atlanta, have at least five companies in mind where you want to work. If you desire to work at a film or television studio, do your research first. If you have friends or family currently residing in Atlanta, ask them about it or research certain areas by visiting them first. Lastly, research people who work where you hope to work. Connect with them by following them on Linkedin.
3. Pace Yourself
The film industry in Atlanta is booming, but you will have to start at the bottom and work your way up. You may have to start as a Background Actor or Production Assistant before bigger roles happen.
4. Learn the City
No matter where you live in Metro Atlanta, there will ALWAYS be traffic! If you are new to Atlanta, learn about the city FIRST. That way, if you are called to work on a film or television production, you will know where you're going and how to manage your time to ensure you arrive on time.
5. Don’t Give Up!
Yes, there are plenty of film and television productions in and around Atlanta, but prepare for the inevitable "no!" You may not be what a casting director is looking for, but don't ever give up on your dream!
Have you relocated from either another city within Georgia or from another state? Is there something we did not mention that helped you when you relocated? If so, please
comment below!
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