Self-promotion can be so crucial to a career in the fast-paced age of social media and personal branding. Making a name for yourself almost becomes a necessary step to advancing your career for the better. Sure, your resume and list of accomplishments are important, but are you trying to show off your work on Instagram for the world to see?
Professional social media pages and websites are almost a must-have now if you want an edge over others in your field. If used effectively, it can be a great way to get your business ventures or works of art off the ground.
Since I began filming, I wanted a place where I could organize my work to share with fellow filmmakers I meet who might be interested in working with me or helping me find opportunities. I have been uploading my films that I am especially proud of onto my YouTube channel and using it like a portfolio, but I wanted to arrange my pieces in a more professional and organized presentation. The working title I’m looking to use for my production branding is Prophet’s Eye Productions.
I looked into programs that easily help users create a website and landed on Squarespace to start. I was mostly looking for somewhere I could organize my trailers, scripts, and films for anyone who might want to see how I work through my film process from beginning to end.
At the time of this article, my website is not public. I have been working on some of the kinks, making sure the presentation fits the aesthetic I want to convey with my films and personal image as a director. I’m hoping to find that balance soon.
I’m hoping to use this opportunity to meet others with the same passion for films to work in my crew, but also to get advice from filmmakers who are more well-versed than me and my peers.
– Anthony Carbonetta
I generated the idea from a friend, Lauren Daugherty ’21. She launched a website with Squarespace a few months ago to generate some traction for her photography career. Her setup is similar to how I plan on my own page, with her work displayed and organized in folders, she also attached an about me page and her contact info. You can check out Lauren’s work at laurengracephotos.com.
But I’ve heard a few people tell me how beneficial it is to have all my work in one spot for other filmmakers to admire, of course. I’m hoping to use this opportunity to meet others with the same passion for films to work in my crew, but also to get advice from filmmakers who are more well-versed than me and my peers.
Although a website may work well for my films, it also is a great place to promote yourself as an individual. Sites like LinkedIn give employers a good sense of who you are, but a personal website from scratch shows an extra level of commitment and creativity. With such an emphasis on social media, you have to sell yourself, your personality, passions, etc., like a product to employers. Everyone, regardless of career choice, could benefit from putting their information and accomplishments in one neat space.
