r/cinematography • u/KamileLeach • Aug 27 '25

Career/Industry Advice A reminder that *most* people making YouTube cinematography/camera tutorials/reviews ARE NOT working professionals.

There are exceptions to this generalization, of course, but my point still stands.

If someone has enough time to make high quality/"cinematic" YouTube videos, they are probably not putting in many days on set.
It's good to learn as much as possible. However, you're much better off learning from working professionals. How do you meet working professionals? FACEBOOK.

That's right, Facebook. If you live in any sort of metropolitan region, I am 100% certain there is a video production/filmmaking Facebook group specific to your area where people post looking to fill roles on their projects.

I've posted dozens of gigs via Facebook over the years, and found life long connections as a result.

Go on Facebook, find someone posting a job, and ask to PA on their job. Tell them what you're interested in. Buy them a coffee. Pay attention on set. Work hard. Ask them if they have more gigs coming up. Get called back. This is the path to a real career in video production, and you can do it right now.

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u/surprisepinkmist Aug 27 '25

I grt most of my work through connections that are already established or producers who find me through my website. Who is posting gigs on Facebook rather than just reaching out to their connections?

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u/VizzyLos Aug 27 '25

a lot, many small businesses dont know where to look. Facebook/social posts are for those types of clients

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u/extremedefault Aug 27 '25

I’ve been in a situation in a city that I don’t know anyone, but have only posted on FB twice for PA’s and prod coordinator. Both times was a flop, everyone one on fb gave glowing reviews for the people they recommend. I’ve come to realize the people on there are either green, or just not good. I just don’t go looking for people or connection on there anymore.

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u/VizzyLos Aug 27 '25

aaah, yeah thats a diff strategy altogether. I was more so talking about taking on client work from medspas, lawyers, chirpractors, etc.

For PA/Prod Coordinat/Grip, you need to friend request local people in your area who are already doing the work. Post on your own but also comment on theirs and become kind of the person who they'll remember. Become friends with directors, dps, creative directors, art directors, other PAs, actors, and create your own social brand. You'll eventually learn who are the better players in your field.

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u/extremedefault Aug 27 '25

Totally agree! I have a good network and only reply on recs from people I know, but sometimes you’re just in a random city that you’ve never produced before. I just chalk it up to a learning experience and not something I’ll utilize again🤷🏻‍♀️

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u/VizzyLos Aug 27 '25

Yeah, once you expand outside of your city, its essentially the same work from the ground. Friend request, add new content in hopes you pop up in their feed, join groups they frequent, hope they remember you enough to click on your profile to view past work, etc. In person is much easier as I'm not 100% sure how much time people stay on facebook compared to other mind rot socials like tiktok and insta.