Tepper reflects on their journey into the film industry, offering insights on what they've learned since arriving in LA in 2017. They share personal anecdotes about the challenges of entering the industry, highlighting the complexities of navigating the job market and the importance of aligning career choices with long-term goals. Tepper also emphasizes the financial difficulties of moving to LA, noting how quickly savings can deplete, especially given the high cost of living. They stress that, contrary to popular belief, working in the film industry is not glamorous for most people.
The key lessons include:
- The Job Market is Overwhelming: There are numerous career paths in the industry, making it challenging to navigate. Tepper emphasizes the importance of aligning your job search with your long-term goals, even if it means starting with less glamorous roles.
- It's More Expensive Than Expected: Tepper advises saving more money before moving, as the cost of living in LA can deplete savings quickly, especially housing. However, they also acknowledge people making it work with minimal savings through gigs like Uber driving.
- The Industry Isn't Glamorous: Most jobs in the industry are akin to typical 9-to-5s, and few people actually attend the glamorous red-carpet events. Long working hours are common, particularly on film sets.
- Business Skills Matter: Tepper highlights that skills like digital tools (e.g., Adobe Suite, Google Analytics) are highly valuable in the industry. Soft skills like organization and multitasking also translate well to high-pressure environments.
- Set and Prioritize Your Goals: In LA’s fast-paced environment, it's easy to lose track of personal goals. Tepper stresses the importance of setting monthly or weekly goals to ensure progress in your career.
- It's a Long Haul: Tepper shares their own career journey, from starting as a production assistant to becoming a social media manager and co-owning a marketing company. They stress the importance of resilience, given the slow pace of progress in the film industry.
Discussion (1)
Can't tell you how many people I've seen move to this city with big hopes and dreams only to watch them get eaten alive by high costs of living and a highly competitive talent pool.
That being said, the city itself will not do anything for you, similar to how Silicon Valley will not make you a billionaire tech mogul nor will Wallstreet make you a rich finance stock trader. It comes down to your willingness to do the work and put in the effort.