This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Darshan Patel, a 28-year-old film and marketing professional based in Brooklyn, New York. It’s been edited for length and clarity.
In my second-to-last semester of college, I started actively searching for postgrad work in the film or entertainment industries. I had studied advertising with a minor in film studies, and I was applying to any opportunity I could find online, including cold emailing studios and direct messaging producers and directors on Instagram.
As graduation approached, I still couldn’t seem to get in contact with any studios. I randomly came up with the idea of Venmoing a director to get their attention.
I felt regret the moment I sent the message, but it ultimately launched my film career. It taught me that you have to do something unique to get attention in this job market.
The Venmo idea was a huge risk
I really admired the director Oscar Boyson, so I DM’d him a few times on Instagram about working for him. Honestly, I bothered that man a lot. I even emailed other directors in his company, but I never got a response.
One day, I had the idea to see if he was on Venmo. Given his unique name, I found his Venmo account straight away. I decided to send him 50 cents as a joke, with the caption “something to sweeten the deal,” alongside a link to an Instagram DM I had sent him that included my résumé.
The second I sent it, I thought, “What am I doing?” It really could’ve gone either way. Either he’d find it funny, or I could be blacklisted forever.
A month went by, and I followed up with a more professional email, mentioning the Venmo transaction. He called me for an interview. We had a conversation about the Venmo transaction when we first started working together, and we made it into a joke.
I ended up working with him for six months
I moved from Florida to New York City to intern with him as a studio assistant, where I handled various hands-on production tasks. It was unpaid, but all my travel, food, and miscellaneous work expenses were covered. I didn’t mind not getting paid because the experience itself was worth it.
I learned a lot from him, from budgeting to scriptwriting, which really helped me shape a better understanding of how the film industry worked. I feel like I learned more in those six months than I did in college.
He also introduced me to new directors and producers he knew, which gave me the opportunity to work as a PA or assistant on other projects, such as an ASAP Mob shoot for Yams Day.
I think what really helped was having Oscar Boyson’s name on my résumé. When I was trying to make my first short film, I felt like it gave me more credibility.
Since the internship finished in late 2020, I’ve continued to work in film
Courtesy of Darshan Patel
I’m working a day job at an in-house marketing agency, but I spend a lot of my spare time working on my own film projects.
My second short film, “Lou and Jane,” recently premiered at the Chelsea Film Festival, which created a lot more opportunities for me in the industry. I filmed three additional projects in the summer, and I’m currently working on a feature-length film.
My overall goal is to become a full-time film director and producer. In a dream, I’d win an Oscar, but really, I’d just like to have an independent studio where I can develop my own projects and help other underrepresented or POC filmmakers.
My advice is not to be afraid to bother people
Imagine being a director who’s constantly approached by film students for work or advice. In any industry, but especially the film industry, you have to stand out.
My little brother just graduated from film school, and I’ve been telling him that sometimes you have to bother people. It sounds bad, but they might not see you if you don’t.
Many industry experts are eager to help, and if they can sense your passion and recognize that you have something of value, they might say yes or even pass you on to someone else. You never know what could happen.
