Strange but true. I was at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014 and managed to get a ticket for The Expendables 3. All the stars were coming, and I thought, why not have some fun and enhance my social media profile with pics of some celebrities and me. Plus Harrison Ford was coming!
As so often in Cannes, the galas were oversold. I was turned away at the last minute. As I tried to cross the Croissette the French police blocked me. I looked up and saw a limo slowly approaching. The black window was open a crack, and a man’s hairy knuckles appeared on the window with cigarette smoke curling out. I lunged forward, my knuckles literally inches away. I peeked into the window and it was Harrison Ford with Calista Flockhart. OMG!
Other than an interesting anecdote, this chance encounter has done my career absolutely no good!
Meeting John Malkovich?
The next day as I was crossing to the Palais, I saw a man dressed in a white suit with dark glasses like mine. OMG! It was John Malkovich! As I struggled to step by him, I heard him say to his minder: “No way I’m going in there! I might be recognised!”
While these are cool stories and sometimes make for good pictures, it doesn’t really mean anything. It might impress your mum, but are the celebs going to remember you? Does it help your career? I would argue that spotting celebs like Harrison Ford does your career absolutely no good whatsoever!
Meeting Jude Law?
A couple of years later, I had to phone one of our amazing Raindance MA degree students, Sadie Frost. I knew she was away, but I didn’t know she was on a boat in Greece. While speaking to her I heard a man call out “Hi Elliot!” I asked Sadie who the man was and she said “Jude”. Her ex, Jude Law, was with her. “Cool,” I thought, “Name recognition from someone with a name”, perhaps a bit more meaningful than brushing knuckles with Harrison Ford.
And even more beneficial was his COVID speech at Raindance:
Meeting Adam Morse
Who is Adam Morse?
Adam is a visually impaired writer/director!
He’s the creator of Lucid with Billy Zane and Sadie Frost.
He also made the 2024 Super Bowl ad for Google+
His only film school training was the Saturday Film School at Raindance!
Here’s his award-winning Super Bowl advert:
He’s become a good friend and a champion of Raindance. How cool is that? And this is where Raindance comes in.
We forsake the star-f*ckers.
We look for the new emerging talents. And the next one could be you!
How do you earn success?
Success comes from being relentless. Authentic. Dedication and putting in the hours not by saying hello or getting a selfie with a celeb. Making friends with unrecognisable producers who like you is a far better strategy!
That’s why at Raindance we host monthly networking session in London, Toronto, Vancouver, and LA. we call it Boozin N Schmoozin – because we make no guarantees that you will meet anyone you can collaborate with. But you likely will, as people comment on the Boozin N Schmoozin page, mingle with the crowd, and walk up to a stranger to simply say “Hello, my name is …” And conversation just sort of breaks out.
If you need an excuse to get a conversation going, why not come to our Open Shorts nights in London, New York or Vancouver. Watch new shorts with the filmmakers, grab a glass of your favourite beverage, and open the conversation with “I really like your short!” The rest is easy.
This type of networking that IS useful. The importance of mastering your craft is simple: being noticed for your relentless hard work that has clearly paid off by making a film that people rave about.
Want to really elevate your networking to the next level?
Why not Join Raindance and get a host of freebies and discounts!
For extra points, it is worth your time and energy to attend this year’s Raindance Film Festival.
Check out the incredibly good-value Raindance Festival Pass. This allows you to see films, to meet fellow filmmakers, and potential collaborators.
Get your Raindance Festival Pass
Are you going to Cannes?
One of this year’s Don’t Miss is the annual Raindance Cannes Villa Party!
May 19th, 2024:
There are still a few tickets left! Don’t miss out – Book Here
Fade Out
Forget brushing knuckles with Harrison Ford. Make your own path.
Whatever your goals, whatever your career aspirations, remember: Raindance is here to help.
Let’s make movies!
Did You Know?
- Raindance Film Festival is considered one of the top fifteen film festivals in the world?
- The Higher Education programme at Raindance Film School offers HND, BA and MA in Filmmaking and Screenwriting?
- Raindance members support indie film, and enjoy a range of member benefits
- You can call us on +44 (0) 930 3412
Photo Credit: Bertie Watson
I founded Raindance Film Festival in 1993 because the British film industry was closed, polite, and congratulating itself while shutting new filmmakers out.
I co-founded the British Independent Film Awards in 1998 because British indie film deserved more than a shrug, a pat on the head, and a Tuesday night screening.
Raindance didn’t start as a brand. It started as a rebellion: film training without gatekeepers, a festival without permission, and a community built by filmmakers who weren’t waiting to be invited in.
Later, we took it global: Toronto, Vancouver, New York, LA, Berlin, and Brussels, because independent film doesn’t belong to one city, one class, or one accent.
I’ve produced 700+ short films and seven features, including Deadly Virtues (2014) and ALICE, which won the SXSW Grand Jury Prize (2019) not because someone “discovered” us, but because the work earned its place.
I’ve written three books used by filmmakers worldwide because too many courses taught compliance instead of survival.
In 2009, I was awarded a PhD for services to film education, ironic, given that most of my career has been about tearing down the rules that education insisted you follow.
I don’t believe in waiting for permission.I believe in making work, building systems, and forcing the industry to catch up.
Specialties: Independent Film (the real kind) · Producing · Writing · Film Education · Festivals · Breaking Broken Systems
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