Filmmaking in Texas: How to Get Started

So you want to get involved in the film industry in the great State of Texas? Awesome. Getting started with filmmaking in Texas can be an exciting journey. Texas has a vibrant film industry and offers various resources and opportunities for aspiring filmmakers.

Below are some general steps to get you started.

Educate yourself.

The film industry is a fast paced and constantly changing field. The ability to get up to speed and learn things on your own is a valuable skill set to have. Read and watch as much as you can about filmmaking in general, and the industry overall.

Two of our favorites are the StudioBinder blog, and the FilmRiot YouTube channel. We are not affiliate marketers with them and have no association, they're just a recommendation.

Get connected with the major organizations.

There are several organizations working on behalf of Texas filmmakers.

The Texas Film Commission and the Texas Media Production Alliance (TXMPA) are two that work at the state level. Most major cities have an area film commission as well. Local to the DFW area is The Dallas Film and Creative Industries Office. Other organizations you'll want to check out are the Dallas Producer's Association (DPA) and Women in Film Dallas (WIFD).

Take courses and workshops.

The Texas Film Commission, DPA and WIFD all frequently offers workshops for filmmakers, and you should take advantage of those. Be sure to visit their websites and get on their mailing lists so you don't miss any! We do our best to post these, and other area workshops and classes to the FilmWorkTexas Events Page as our members notify us of them.

Network, network, network!

Meet other filmmakers. Events held by the above organizations are a great starting point. In Texas, there are numerous Film Festivals where you can meet other filmmakers. And, while social media can be a huge waste of time (that's why we started FIlmWorkTexas), it's still another great way to get connected with other filmmakers on a personal level in your spare time. Search Instagram and Facebook for groups and organizations with the keywords Texas and film, and you'll find plenty to choose from.

Make a short film.

Once you have met a few filmmakers, dive in and try some small productions on your own with a small crew of new filmmaking friends. While reading and watching information about filmmaking is helpful, you really don't get a feel for what it takes until you try one on your own. Start small, and when you have something you're proud of, submit to film festivals!

Get on set!

Once you have developed some skills and have a network with other filmmakers, you'll have opportunities to get involved in productions in the area where you live. Initially, it might be wise to volunteer as a Production Assistant so you can learn the ropes. Filmmaking is a trust business, and if you dive in and help others, it won't be long before you'll get bigger and better opportunities.

• The Facebook groups mentioned earlier often have crew calls where production companies or individuals seek help for their productions.

• When you are first starting out, you'll probably begin as a Production Assistant (a.k.a. PA). There's some great information about that on the Texas Film Commission's page Getting Started as a Production Assistant.

• Take a look at The Austin Film Commission Employment Tools page, and Backstage has articles on Last Minute Crew Jobs (not Texas only, but super helpful) and Crew 101, which covers some basics about working on set and where to find jobs on a film set (again, not Texas local, but worth the read).

• Be sure to check all those out, but don't forget the FilmWorkTexas Crew Notice page where you'll find more and more opportunities as we grow!

Hopefully this is a solid guide to getting started. If you've been working in the film industry here in Texas for a while, share your favorite resources and/or how you got your start in the comments below!