It's Who You Know

IADT - Tampa Digital Movie Production student Jason Ellis say he has heard one thing over and over from his teachers since arriving at the International Academy of Design and Technology over a year ago: "In the movie business, it's not so much about what you know, but who you know."

Even so, knowing a famous movie director without knowing anything about direction or editing or filming won't get you a directing job. Contacts can only get you so far—and then it's up to you to prove yourself. So, really, you need a strong knowledge of digital movie production and a strong network. Jason Ellis says he is developing both at IADT - Tampa.

"Knowledge-wise, the Academy is setting me up to work in any number of positions within the industry," he says. "And teachers are also helping me to develop a professional network."

Jason just got off a weeklong shoot for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. He heard the show was looking for freelance help through the head of the Academy's Digital Movie Production department. "If you have initiative and ambition, the teachers pick up on it and hook you up."

Extreme Makeover was Jason's first time working on a large-scale production. Rather than being intimidated, however—after all, it was only a year-and-a-half ago Jason didn't know what a pan or dolly shot was—Jason says he was excited. "The Academy classes have given me an understanding of how to do different jobs within the industry. This was a great opportunity to apply my knowledge and to gain experience in the real world…and to further my network."

"I'm getting the entire package at the Academy—education, opportunity and professional contacts. It's a great thing."