Things I’ve Learned as a MovieMaker

by Shawn Maurer | Published February 3, 2007

Bring It On

Bring It On

The Job to Friend Ratio

I've learned that the surest way to ensure employment or a career in the movie business is to have a friend or friends that will give you a job. I have had numerous conversations with crew people on how they got their start in the industry. The majority of these chats have included the sentence "well, my friend got me a job as a...". I believe that the more friends you have is directly proportionate to the number of job opportunities available to you.

The Personal Becomes Professional

I started out shooting video "behind the scenes" press kits on studio movies. And, of course, I got that job from a college buddy. I now shoot studio movies for the friends I made while shooting press kits. I am lucky that my friends transitioned from interviewing the stars to directing them.

The Importance of Luck

Luck has a large part to play in one's success. I am lucky that I have successful friends; their success is in some part due to luck.

The Downside of Luck

It helps to have a supportive spouse to help you through the times when you're not so lucky.

In Summation

To sum it up, it helps to have lucky successful friends in the biz and a good wife. And it doesn't hurt to be talented.

Shawn Maurer Filmography as Cinematographer
Like Mike (2002)
Academy Boyz (2001)
Bring It On (2000)
Lost Cause (1999)
Show & Tell (1998)
La Cucaracha (1998)
The Big Empty (1997)
Bandwagon (1996)

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