Hiring Bloggers, a Distribution/Marketing Writer, and a Social Media Specialist

Title: Hiring Bloggers, a Distribution/Marketing Writer, and a Social Media Specialist
Date Posted: 2012-12-22
Location: Not mentioned
Description:
Want to write about something you love, and help build one of the fastest-growing filmmaking sites at the same time? We've got a few part-time jobs (with a lot of room to grow) available. We're looking for General Film/Video writers, a Distribution/Marketing/Industry writer, and a Social Media/Traffic specialist. You can do any of these things from anywhere in the world. You can do them in your underwear. You don't have to deal with the expense or hassle of commuting. You don't have to stare at cubicle walls that are probably (and depressingly) beige. And you'll hopefully learn a lot along the way, while building up your own abilities (as well as garnering name recognition for yourself). Read on if you're interested!

Since I last did a call for writers a year ago (http://nofilmschool.com/2011/11/hiring-writers/), we've tripled in size (!), so you'll definitely be joining a site on the way up. And while our new design (http://nofilmschool.com/2012/09/version-film-school-open-thread/) is still a ways off, that's also something to look forward to.

Here are the positions we're currently hiring for and what we're looking for each each position to cover. The first thing to note: not all readers of this site will make good candidates. We need writers with an overall level of, or a specific area of, expertise. Think you know more than the average NFS reader? Read on.

Also, if you already run a filmmaking website or have your own blog in this space and are interested in partnering/syndicating, please email me instead. Otherwise, please read through the rest of the post and apply using the links at the bottom. Here are the positions:
General Film/Video writer

* You already know what this site covers on a daily basis, but here's a sampling of topics:
* Filmmaking. Specifically, the DIY and Independent variety, but any movie project is relevant if it's something we can all learn from.
* News about the latest products, services, and applications that affect filmmakers/videomakers/creatives.
* How-to posts and tutorials.
* Contests, grants, fellowships, festivals, and other opportunities.
* The future of film, and how the internet, TV, and transmedia are changing movies.
* Independent creativity -- people finding a way to earn a living by creating what they want.

Distribution/Marketing/Industry writer

* The democratization of filmmaking requires two things. One: cheaper methods of production. We've charted these well here on NFS and they are already here, by and large. Two: new revenue streams and platforms to level the playing field on the distribution side. We haven't charted these changes as well, and they are just now emerging in earnest.
* We're thus looking for a writer focused on what happens to movies after they're done. In no particular order, some potential topics: acquisitions, theatrical distribution, direct-to-audience sales, web series, advertising-supported distribution, branded media, film festivals, monetization strategies, VOD, VODO, foreign sales, screening fees, deliverables, merchandising.

Social Media/Traffic Specialist

* No Film School currently has 16,000 facebook friends and 5,000 twitter followers. We're not particularly active on either and we're looking to increase our presence on both, not just for traffic development but also to start running contests, giveaways, and providing useful information in the form of ongoing dialogue with NFSers.
* Whereas the other positions are about expertise in film first and knowledge of the internet second, this position is the opposite: I'm looking for someone passionate about and experienced with social media marketing -- who also happens to love movies -- to come on board and help us (continue) to grow. (Note that much of what I'm going to say in the next few paragraphs applies less to this position than the writing ones.)

Think you might be a good fit one of these positions? Here are the three main things you should have, in order to become part of the NFS team:

* Credibility in film -- whether that be in producing, cinematography, editing, directing, screenwriting, post-production, marketing, or some combination of the above. You don't need to have 60 credits on your IMDB page, but you do need real-world experience and/or an education from which to draw.
* The ability to write well. Blogging isn't Shakespeare, but it also shouldn't be typo-laden, and I have and will continue to hold No Film School to a higher standard than the average blog.
* Any other skills are a bonus. I never could've taken the site this far if I only did one thing, so multi-hyphenates are welcome -- so long as you have at least one topic about which you feel authoritative and passionate enough to write about every day.

For the general writing position, your tasks could consist of:

* Reading the film/video news every day, blogging top stories
* Watching shorts and web series to find good content to share
* Responding to comments, answering emails
* Getting loaners of gear to test on shoots
* Writing reviews of that gear
* Contacting other authors, filmmakers, etc. looking for guest posts
* Recording video tutorials and reviews
* Shooting and/or editing behind-the-scenes videos
* Brainstorming about the future of film production and distribution -- and writing features on these topics

These are paid positions -- part-time to start, with a lot of future opportunities. You are not going to get rich writing blog posts -- it is supplemental income. That said, we are looking for writers with availability. If you have a full-time day job, you are probably not the best candidate at this point. Why? Because we're not just looking for people who can contribute to No Film School, we're looking for people who can contribute to No Film School regularly. The best candidates to write for NFS are folks who have experience in film, which means you're probably working on your own projects periodically; if you have a day job and you're working on your own projects, in our experience it is unrealistic to also expect you to find the time to write well-reasoned, informed blog posts on the reg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYvKwoWNOl4). Candidates who are freelancers, unemployed, or underemployed will be given preference to those with full-time jobs. You should be able to commit to writing posts most days -- if you're already really busy and could only contribute a few posts a month, please DO NOT apply at this time.

Also, if you're applying to write for NFS, then you should understand that beyond the short-term pay, there are a lot of other long-term benefits. By this I'm referring to the kind of exposure that comes with getting your name out there, the kind of secondary opportunities (see: the NoFilmSchool Manifesto = http://nofilmschool.com/2010/04/the-nofilmschool-manifesto/) that come about because of consistent exposure and commitment, and the kind of creative self-improvement that results from paying close attention to the filmmaking world and thinking about it every day.

To apply for any of the positions, click on the appropriate link below. You'll be taken to a questionnaire -- a virtual job application. How long the forms stay open will depend on how many applications we receive, but I anticipate they'll be open at least until the end of the year. I will update this post as the process unfolds.

Serious applicants only, please. DO NOT apply if you are interested in writing guest posts, or if you could only commit to a few posts a month. Also DO NOT apply if you are interested in being a designer, developer, assistant, intern, any position on MANCHILD (http://nofilmschool.com/manchild), or anything else. There will be more opportunities for these kinds of things going forward... just not right now.

IMPORTANT!
Apply via the links below only:

DO apply if you are motivated, smart, positive, organized, creative, hungry, and you recognize the opportunity this represents! We look forward to hearing from you, as you might be our next:

* General Film/Video writer = http://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDlfRUJqY2dvMHAtS3dQd0Nqb0lyLUE6MA


* Distribution/Marketing/Industry writer = http://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGNwcTBlblNrbTVKVEpGQW9JYmduMGc6MA

* Social Media/Traffic specialist = http://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFZIQUhvczk2RkRDZ2VmSjllWjNTYkE6MA


http://nofilmschool.com/2012/12/no-film-school-hiring/