The Beginning...

Every journey has a beginning, so I'm going to take you all back a few years and tell you the story of how I began. Lets skip the family vacation movies and terrible attempts of making videos as a child  and go to my Sophomore year of high school. During this time, I joined as a member of the local access television studio in my town. Here is my first piece of advice to young production oriented students:

If you really want to get into the film or television field, become a COMMITTED member at the local access studio in your town. These studios are required to 1. allow you to produce your own content using their equipment, 2. train you on their equipment, and 3. allow you to take out their equipment and use it to produce content. This is an environment you want to become a part of as a student. You will learn SO MUCH and meet so many great people that can connect you to others in the industry.

This is a photo of me on set in the local access studio of my town. After two years of directing, producing, editing, cam oping, and assisting the staff, I was asked to cam op for an international television show that was produced in the studio. I was now in the industry.

My story shows that great things come out of local access that not many people know about. Before joining, I had no idea that an international show was being produced in my town, let alone that I could become a part of it!

Again, if you are looking to get some experience and great connections, start with local access. It is an amazing outlet to show off your talent to others!

If you are already part of the film or television industry, please feel free to share your story in the comments. If you have any questions for me, please feel free to contact me. My name is Alex Van Thong and this is my Filmmaker's Journey...