Should you submit your reel or scripts when applying for entry-level Hollywood jobs?

If there’s one thing you should never ever ever ever ever ever ever do, it’s submit an unsolicited reel, short film, or screenplay when applying for an internship or entry-level job. Seriously. You’re better off running with scissors or getting into an unmarked white van because a nice man offered you candy (we don’t support that either, though).

You might think, “Hey, I want my future employer to know that I have real talent, and that if he hires me as an assistant, I’ll really go places and contribute to the company down the line. Why would they want a talentless hack answering their phones when they could have someone who will really make it?” 

But here’s what prospective employers think when they get an unsolicited submission: 

1. If I take this, and it’s similar to something we have in development, I’m opening myself up to a lawsuit. Why does this candidate not understand the basics of copyright law?
   
2. This candidate clearly does not understand that this position is not creative. Will he be willing to put in the effort and commit to excelling at his administrative duties, or will he constantly pitch ideas and act like a know-it-all?
   
3. I hated this sample. Why would I hire someone whose best work is terrible? Can I trust this person to do a good job at the task at hand, or is he a complete dolt with no sense of what success looks like?
   
4. Why did this candidate just give me extra work to do? Does he not understand how busy I am and how tall the stack of scripts I have to read is? Maybe he doesn’t understand the scope of the work that goes into this position.
   

If an employer asks for a sample, go ahead and send your best work. But if no one asked for it, leave it at home. Focus on crafting the best resume and cover letter you can and sharpening your interview skills -- that’s what really matters in the job application process.

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--Angela Silak & Cindy Kaplan