How I got my first job with National Geographic
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- čas přidán 20. 06. 2024
- #nationalgeographic #documentary #filmmaking
Getting my first video job for National Geographic was a huge career milestone for me, and in this video I break down how it happened and three lessons you can learn from my experience. So many people have lucky break stories, but luck only happens when you’re in the right position to take advantage of it.
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Dude, you're super cool. I have the same goals but with wildlife. OBSESSED with filming nature. Hoping one day it'll get noticed. Thank you for the inspiration
Amazing! Keep going and you will!
I am currently 15 years old and national geographic is, as of now, my dream job. This video definitely helped me with what I need to prepare for in the future, and what I need to do starting now. I appreciate that you made this video because this definitely helped a lot!
Thanks man!
I’m heading out to Peru to film a documentary with an archeologist covering quinoa farming techniques in the Andes highlands. We’re submitting it to the National Geographic society attached to a grant application.
I am 20. Holy crap. I am so nervous. I care a lot about making this awesome. This helped a lot. Thanks so much!
how's it going now!?
@@akeimeii1499 It actually went super smoothly! I got a strong dose of altitude sickness that caused us to have to stop by the hospital so that sucked though. Other than that, I got some great footage and the editing is coming together nicely! The biggest difficulty was audio, as I expected, because the highlands is pretty much like a desert, and winds are just insane.
I’m glad I brought my deadcat/blimp kit but I REALLY wish I had an audio guy to carry the boom so he could angle it up pointing downward so I didn’t pick up as much background noise.
On the other hand, the team discovered this lost village site that we suspected was nearby Lake Conococha, about 5000 years old and ABSOLUTELY MASSIVE. There were monoliths sticking out of the ground a couple meters tall and I filmed and assisted them in surveying and mapping the discovery. The archeologist I accompanied compared it in significance to this one famous site discovered called Gobekli Tepe. We’re submitting the film and grant application to nat geo during the Summer deadline in early-mid 2024! We’re getting about 40k for it, and most of it is going towards funding to excavate the site next year. We believe this is the site where Quinoa was first domesticated, and the practices began to degelop
Awesome video luc. Love your videos/stories and video making wisdom
Prob one of the most hopeful and inspiring videos I’ve watched on this platform. Almost 30 years ago, when I decided to go to school for photo, I wanted to be a PJ. I wanted to work for NatGeo. Today, after 15 years as a commercial photographer and two months shy of my 50th bday, I am a junior working on my journalism bachelors degree and changing over to filmmaking. Thank you for this story!
That's amazing, and super inspiring. Good for you Brian!
@@LucForsyth I appreciate your relatable content!
Great video, great advice. From my experience and what's helped me be successful are two things. Knowing someone in the Industry you want to work in is HUGE, and being great to work with goes an incredibly long way. One of my highest paying clients came from a Real Estate agent I contract with and do video for. She forwarded me onto an interior Designer who does work for luxury private jets. Telling them I'm really great to work with. Ended up landing the highest paying job I've every had with that Interior Designer. Basically be nice.... it works wonders. And with a little bit of luck, great things can happen. Just work hard, be patient, consistent, and the cards will eventually fall in your favor.
That is my dream.. working for them. I have just landed my first underwater photography job ever, so I am in the beginning of the process. But watching these videos are an important guide for me
Awesome, glad to hear ti!
this is solid advice that goes beyond documentary film making: practice network and work outside your comfort zone will get you far
Thank you for this advise...very helpful
Thank you for sharing. I am one of the people dreaming to work with NatGeo but suddenly loosing hope until I saw this video. Thank you for inspiring.
CZcams recommended you to me three weeks ago and since then I have watched all of your videos. Amazing insights. Thank you.
That’s awesome man, glad you’re here!
Thank you for sharing your experience!!! This is so motivating and inspiring. Thank you.
You are so welcome!
Spectacular advice ! Wow thank you so much for sharing.
You're very welcome!
Thanks for being so honest and humble about your experience! This video is a gem full of advice for newbies like me!
Awesome! glad you liked it
I am a Journalism student from India, and thank you so much for this video. I've always wanted to work with NatGeo, and I will be switching over to filmmaking in a few years after some journalism experience.
This video was affirming, thank you!
I like your tone and pace, you seem reasonable, knowledgeable, and passionate about photography.
I love what you said about the “what if” about taking an opportunity compared to making a "lame excuse”.
Who’s to say that by saying no, turned out to be the reason he met his wife and now as a family.
Working in an office yes, but now he has the flower of family and knows how to document his life so some selected memories live forever here in the physical world.
Great video, I appreciate you sharing your insight!
You’re very welcome, glad you liked it!
solid career advice. I suck at networking which is my biggest weakness. I did go out of my comfort zone to shoot on the Alexa Mini like you did with the C300, but I had been shooting video for years. I'm glad I did it. a year before that however, I turned down filming with a Hollywood actor because I was too scared. I kicked myself a lot for that, but lesson learned
Thanks John. Yeah, we all have little regrets like that, but sounds like you’re pushing in the right direction anyways. And I agree - networking sucks, but it’s a necessary evil!
Thank you! This is the dream!! Hope one day to be closer to working for nat geo! So much respect for you!
Thank you, appreciate your words!
This was awesome!
This is so inspiring!
This is so inspiring. Thank you so much
Glad you enjoyed it!
This was my dream, even before picking up a camera. It’s actually my top bucket list creatively.
Good stuff man
Impressive experience and tips in all your videos, really appreciate it.
No problem!
Thanks for sharing your advice, it makes my heart moving again
Glad to hear it!
Subbed! For me, it is either National Geographic or Vogue! I need this kind of motivation.
Welcome! Glad to have you!
Good tips. Thank you!
You’re very welcome!
I’ve dreamed of working for National Geographic for over 10 years . Just starting to put my work out there again but look forward to an opportunity like this
Same! And it took me about 10 years to get there....keep going!
Dude this is a great video! I’m just starting out with film and Ive wanted to film for nat geo ever since i first picked up a camera. This was great motivation for me to watch! Did you go to film school or any school for photography? Or did you just network and use experience/ practice when first starting out?
I didn't, I took literature in school! I just got a used camera, built a photojournalism portfolio, and then worked at it for a long time
Superb
Defo not me watching this while I try to sleep bc I gotta wake up tomorrow and do accountability.
Just got out of film making college, and I'm watching this with illusion
Very helpful video Mr. Luc
here since 1k subscribers...just to remember when you got a billion and start having a tone of ads, hehe. love your content mate :D
I should make t shirts for the OGs!
@@LucForsyth maybe make a documentary about people who watch other people who make documentaries :P, wait what? hahaah
Just watched your video! I'm currently an undergrad majoring in environmental studies and minoring in biology, but I'm thinking about minoring in journalism so I'm very conflicted. I love photography and would love to work with NatGeo to travel and more so take photographs rather than do cinematography. Any advice?
I’d say stick with what you’re passionate about, though in general it’s easier to make money with video than photo. But either can be done with enough commitment
@@LucForsyth thanks!! Happy holidays!
Could you make an explanation how Nat Geo make a video like ants or other insects under the ground or the nest? I'm really curious, and sorry for the bad English.
Interesting video
Glad you think so!
Thanks for this video Luc, it was reassuring of what I need to do to get into the industry. I've done some camerawork for a hunting TV show in the US and need some work to do in between seasons. I'm from Cancún, México and there is no documentary jobs like that here. This is a big ask from a stranger on the internet but would it be possible for you to share your friend Ulises' contact with me, so that I can atleast have my name and work known to be available. Thanks and I understand if that's too much to ask.
Hi Elliot, let me ask him. But I'd disagree that there's no doc work available in Cancun - I found work all over Mexico once I started meeting people. You might have to take some trips to DF or maybe New York to get your name out there, but you can absolutely make it work from where you are.
Just heard from Uli - reach out at ulea99@gmail.com. Good luck!
This reminds me of the tech industry
Could I ask you what it is that you studied? Or are you self taught? I have been learning videography online but should I consider going into journalism?
English Literature!
speaking of grabbing opportunities, I always say yes to every opportunity but I've landed in some bad situations due to that. How do you deal with "bad jobs" where THEY are the problem? Do you see it through all the way or do you find a good excuse out? I had a bad tour as camera operator where I quit after a week (recommended a good replacement though) and never heard from them again. The only issue is that I also edited for them so I also lost that income!
That’s a tough one. For me personally I’ve only been able to start saying no in the last few years l, but in the beginning I also took everything. As long as there’s some sort of learning potential any job can be worth doing the, but occasionally you get a total dud and that’s just the way it goes sometimes. Good call recommending a replacement
Yeah I didn't want to just drop them so I made arrangements for somebody but the work was unethical, the pay rediculously low and I figured I'd stick around for the "job experience" but when the other camera guy started shit talking me behind my back, blaming me for production issues and overall treated me without any respect in a condescending manner, I was like, fuck it, it's not worth it working with this crew.
where did you buy the hat 🐻❄ ???
Hello sir, can i borrow one of your old camera🥺🤗
I'm not skilled wildlife photographer, but I curois to explore new things
I think you're special. Haha. Great video.
All kidding aside, this was very informative. I remember the first time I was commissioned to shoot a surprise proposal, with very minimal video experience. I said yes. Learned a lot and only got better. They ultimately were pleased with the result. So when an opportunity presents itself, say yes and just figure it out later. haha
Haha, I’ll take that as a good thing? Yeah, I think we all need a story like that - as long as it’s not so far out of your ability that it turns into a disaster, it’s the best way to grow
Bro I am from India, in my society choosing my profession as film maker so risky. I want into it , i don't know where to begin
It is risky for sure, I totally get it. But if you can make it work, it's a great life. If you can position yourself as the go to guy for international crews visiting India that could be a good way to get into the game. Wish I could tell you exactly how, but start by making some short films about inspiring people in your city/community, share them everywhere, and send a lot of emails to grow your contacts. I know people making it work in India and Bangladesh, so it's definitely possible! Good luck my friend!
This is my dream job
It's all doable!
Dude can u guide me..... I wanna apply for a job in national geographic just like you... Btw ur work is osm 🔥
Thanks man! I'm going to open applications for a mentorship program when the channel gets close to 10k subs, so watch out for that. Could be the right opportunity for you
How much is the salary??
Depends on your position and experience level. Made a video about some rates last week - czcams.com/video/2E4n1JRkJUg/video.html
Hello sir
👋
Great advice but I bet 0.00001% of those watching this video personally know anyone working for Nat Geo. That being said this doesn't get anyone closer to working with Nat Geo.
ye networking , is the most important thing , friend ask me to go shoot some photo at concert for metal web magazine , end up shooting for them for free for 3 years , till the guy that wrote the article got a dslr , yee ok cool i got to see lot of show for free but working also for free is not the best thing , but was a start for me to buy 4 cheap dslr for video and audio gear , i start shooting video for conects for local band and got pay for it ,
back in 2003 , got oportunity to shoot some handball game for sports news photo agency , ask for job after ,, yee you need to have a digital camera , got a digital camera and ask again for job , yee you need to have 2.8 lents ,, yeee ok ,,,, thanks but no thanks ,,,
Nice one, sounds like a solid progression!
@@LucForsyth ye am cool naw , you can see also some of my video on my channel , the only problem is i live in greece and work with local bands , so i can not charge them much , and it reflect on the quality
Plz Share hr contact information
So, get born not poor, have not poor friends and wait until one of those friends give you an opportunity over hundreds of thousands of more talented people. Cool, I'll try to reincarnate in that life. Thank you! :D
There’s a couple things wrong in this, but not going to bother getting into it. Good luck out there friend, this seems like exactly the attitude people are looking for on set!
i am shocked! if you came as a photog., not knocking your apple box or c-stand? you should edit that clip
I came as a photojournalist, not a studio photographer
Hey brother I’m in Mexico City and would love to chat it up with you. I sent you a dm on instagram
Hey David, don't check IG very much, so sorry if I missed you! I'm not in CDMX anymore, though I will always love that place!
So basically it's more about who you know than what you know! 🥲😢