How to Get Hired on a Film Set
- Elevating Enterprise
- Jul 28, 2025
- 3 min read
🎬 4 Film Industry Takeaways for Creators, Crew + Businesses
Breaking into the film industry can feel like cracking a secret code — especially if you’re not already in LA or NYC. But as filmmaker and FLX Studios President of Entertainment Kendrick Foxx reminded us in our latest episode of Elevating Enterprise, there’s room for everyone on set — if you know where to start.
Kendrick’s journey took him from small-town Alabama to producing feature films in Atlanta, LA, and now Rochester, NY. His breakout film RIFT was shot in just five days during the pandemic — and it’s now streaming on Paramount+, Apple TV, Showtime, and Tubi.
But Kendrick didn’t get there by waiting for permission. He learned how to create with what he had, build relationships from the ground up, and position himself to grow with every project.
Here are three key takeaways from our conversation that can help you — whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, local business owner, or just someone who’s always wanted to be part of the action.
1. Become an Extra — It’s Your Backstage Pass
You don’t need an agent, a reel, or even a résumé to get on set. You just need to be available, professional, and ready to show up.
“I know you want to be the star or the director,” said Jazzy T, “but if you can get on set as an extra, you can literally rub elbows with the person who gives you your next opportunity.”
Extras (also called background actors) are essential to any production. They fill the world of the film — and they often get paid to learn the ropes from the inside. If you’re curious about the industry, this is one of the fastest, most accessible entry points.
🎯 Action Step: Follow your local film office, casting pages, and indie Facebook groups for extras calls. In Rochester, start with the Finger Lakes Film Commission.
2. Write a Script You Can Afford to Shoot
When Kendrick produced RIFT, he didn’t start with a story and look for a location — he started with the resources he had and built a story around it.
“We had $130,000, a few actors, and limited locations.
“The battle of production is won in pre-production. If you plan well, you’ll need fewer days and less money to shoot.”
That kind of thinking — writing to your resources — can be the difference between dreaming and doing. It’s also what gets your work made.
🎯 Action Step: Start with your real-world assets — a friend’s café, your house, a public park — and write scenes that happen there. Need help? Look at Clerks, Paranormal Activity, or Moonlight. Big impact. Small sets.
3. Below-the-Line Support Services Needed!
If you want to work in production — or offer your business services to the industry — you need to understand the two major categories of crew:
Above-the-Line (ATL) refers to the creative leads: producers, directors, screenwriters, lead actors. They’re involved in planning, financing, and story development.
Below-the-Line (BTL) covers everyone else who brings the project to life: camera operators, grips, set designers, wardrobe stylists, makeup artists, production assistants— the list goes on.
Film sets don’t just need lights and cameras. They need food, transportation, security, set cleaning, printing, tents, drivers, trailers — even massage therapists.
“If you’ve got a service there’s a film set somewhere that needs it,” Kendrick explained. “You just have to be ready.”
In other words, the business you already run might already be film-ready — especially with the right preparation.
🎯 Action Step for Business Owners:
Get familiar with what productions need.
Create a simple “set services” page on your website.
Let your local film office know you’re available.
Be prepared to invoice quickly and accommodate unusual hours.
💡 Pro Tip: Want filmmakers to find you faster? Kendrick uses apps like:
Thumbtack – to hire vetted local crew and service providers
Peerspace – to book homes, offices, and venues already set up for filming
Google Reviews – to quickly verify quality and professionalism
If you offer services like catering, makeup, driving, or even own a visually interesting space — list your business on these platforms with photos, pricing, and 5-star service. You never know who might be scouting.
🎧 Listen to "Business of Movie Making" episode on Elevating Enterprise to hear more about breaking into the film industry and making movies in Rochester.
👉 Available on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Desktop | YouTube
🎥 Final Thoughts
Film is one of the few industries that brings together creatives, technicians, small businesses, and entrepreneurs under one mission: to tell a story.
And as Kendrick Foxx proves, you don’t need to be born into it to break in — you just need to be intentional, resourceful, and ready to move when the opportunity comes.
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