Yesterday evening I got an email from a director looking for work:

I am an award-winning director seeking work with an enterprising production company.

Would you be interested in viewing a showreel?

Um. A Director is supposed to have vision. Is supposed to be able to communicate. Create wonderful visuals. Yet this email is entirely devoid of any details. The applicant didn’t even attach a CV. How little energy can you put into your marketing?

What is there to tempt me? Award Winning? Yeah, you, me and lots of others. But you haven’t even told me what award. Or for what project.  And you’re looking for an ‘enterprising’ production company. Do you think my company is enterprising? Is that why you’re emailing me? Or are you just blanket emailing everyone?  It was addressed to my full name, so smacks of bulk emailing from a list. I feel blessed and special in equal measures.

Apologies to the director who sent this if any of this is untrue. But this is how I as the reader respond to your message. And if you can’t figure out how to write an email for your specified audience, then I will need a lot of convincing before I think you’ll be able to do the same with a TV programme.


Gavin Ricketts is a Producer/Director with over twenty year's experience. His courses on finding work in the creative industries has helped hundreds of Film and TV Crew win more work.


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Comments

  1. So, today I get another email. The director has simply forwarded the email to me. No “Hi, do you have 2 seconds to look at my email? Or can I give you a call?” No, they’ve just forwarded it to me as though to suggest “Hey, why haven’t you called ME yet?”

    Guys, please don’t ever do what this person has. It really make you look arrogant and rude. This really is someone I don’t ever want to work for me, even if he’s clutching 15 Oscars and a World Cup.

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