Last week, CMS 470 was visited by Levi Bond, a CMS alumni, who shared his experience post-grad!
Harper Ellison-Berg, a student in the class, writes:
Levi Bond, a graduate of the University of Washington, returned to Warren Etheredge’s Advanced Screenwriting class on Wednesday, February 25th, giving students the opportunity to hear from someone actively involved in the film and television industry. Since moving to Los Angeles after his graduation, Bond has found disparate but consistent work, from playing a Stormtrooper in Star Wars to PA-ing on the latest film in the Jumanji franchise. This stands in stark contrast to the frequent reports of a job crisis in the film industry; when asked about the lack of jobs, Bond said some of this is sensationalized, and that the jobs are there for those who are passionate and adaptable. He emphasised that almost every job will come from knowing the right people, and, importantly, not getting stuck doing one thing. Having a wide range of experience across different departments is invaluable, according to Bond; these departments are usually quite isolated, so understanding what is going on in every other aspect of a production will allow you to do your job better. Despite coming from vastly different places in their careers, much of Bond’s advice echoed that of Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and recent CMS guest Eric Heisserer. Talking to people, bonding with classmates, and connecting with people already working in the industry is key; creating a “human life-raft,” as Heisserer called it. Bond suggested leading with authenticity – attempting to establish relationships based on self-interest and job-seeking will isolate you quickly, but if you can speak genuinely and passionately, your relationships will take you far. In a fitting end to Bond’s talk, a student planning a move to LA in the fall to find work in the film industry realized that she and Bond have several mutual friends, and exchanged information. It’s all about who you know.