Entertainment Industry Question 65: What is the best way to get into Development and work your way up?

Jun 7, 2015 | Latest

Jessica’s Answer:

I started as an assistant, became a development associate, and then started my own production company. Others in our office started as unpaid interns. Some people make the move from an agency to development. Then, I’ve met people who’ve come from completely different industries and their interesting skills combined with excellent interviewing has landed them a job in development.

This no single “best” way to get in. Therefore: 1. Focus on building relationships with people in development

2. Master interviewing skills

3. Read books on script analysis, writing coverage, and studio executive biographies

If you have a question, put it in the comment section.
To your success!

RAVING FANS

"Jessica Sitomer's book reminds me of the old adage: 'Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach him to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime.' There is no shortage of books on bookshelves in bookstores offering up the Hollywood hopeful a fish (or in most cases, something fishy). Sitomer provides a strategy on how to create a career so you will work (and eat!) for a lifetime."
-Andrew Kreisberg, Executive Producer, Arrow, Writer, Boston Legal, The Simpsons

"Jessica with AND.ACTION! has created a productive and effective way of not only guiding the reader through a method of setting attainable goals but also providing for them an enjoyable process in the journey of self discovery."
-Ana Lucia Cottone, Television Programming Executive

"Thinking outside the box and nurturing relationships is the key to being a successful actor. Jessica Sitomer's AND.ACTION! will teach you how to do this. The same career building tools she shares here will also help you balance your life when you get to wear many hats in this field. Run to get this book!"
-Diane Farr, Actress, Numb3rs, Author, The Girl Code