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Daniela
Student
Lučenec, Banská Bystrica Region
1
Question
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Is it possible to get a job in film industry in America, when I live in Europe?
I live and study filmmaking in Slovakia in Europe and movies here are not really good, I want to move (not just because of that) to America. What I have to go through to get a job in a film industry in US. or Canada? #movies #directorofphotography #film
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1 answer
Hassan Al
Product Management Professional
398
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Hassan’s Answer
Hi Daniela
It'll likely very difficult to land a job in the US that includes an US O-1B Visa https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/o-1-visa-individuals-with-extraordinary-ability-or-achievement. Due to Covid movie/TV productions have lowed and now uses fewer workers. I'd assume the same is true for Canada as well.
Longer term, the key would be for you to get unique skills that would make employers want to spend the thousands (including legal fees) to procure you an O1 Visa. These skills would likely need to be 'on set' since post production, CG, etc. can easily be done remotely.
I'd start with finding out what the latest key 'on set' skills are and work on mastering those. Also, find out what the high profile movie and TV production companies are in Europe and try to get a job there. You'll need a compelling portfolio and credits to impress a US company.
Alternatively, research what US studio and production companies have European branches and get a job there. An intra-company job transfer to the US may be easier than the O-1 Visa route. It may be easier to acquire other skills that might get you hired for a H1B Visa in the US. So you may want to research that.
Also, you can try the Green Card Lottery https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry/diversity-visa-submit-entry1.html?wcmmode=disabled in Oct, but again odds are slim since there are only 50,000 each year and about 22,000,000 applications.
It'll likely very difficult to land a job in the US that includes an US O-1B Visa https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/o-1-visa-individuals-with-extraordinary-ability-or-achievement. Due to Covid movie/TV productions have lowed and now uses fewer workers. I'd assume the same is true for Canada as well.
Longer term, the key would be for you to get unique skills that would make employers want to spend the thousands (including legal fees) to procure you an O1 Visa. These skills would likely need to be 'on set' since post production, CG, etc. can easily be done remotely.
I'd start with finding out what the latest key 'on set' skills are and work on mastering those. Also, find out what the high profile movie and TV production companies are in Europe and try to get a job there. You'll need a compelling portfolio and credits to impress a US company.
Alternatively, research what US studio and production companies have European branches and get a job there. An intra-company job transfer to the US may be easier than the O-1 Visa route. It may be easier to acquire other skills that might get you hired for a H1B Visa in the US. So you may want to research that.
Also, you can try the Green Card Lottery https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry/diversity-visa-submit-entry1.html?wcmmode=disabled in Oct, but again odds are slim since there are only 50,000 each year and about 22,000,000 applications.
Thank you very much!
Daniela