Networking For Your Desires

I learned pretty quickly that getting into the room is only half the battle.

Once I got on those sets, I had to figure out how to become someone people actually wanted to work with again.

Throughout the rest of my years in college, I worked on countless weekend shoots for commercials, new media, and music videos.

By my senior year, my resume was full of real production experience.

And these gigs would pay my bills.

Sometimes I’d make $300–$400 running errands for six hours — picking up a camera lens, returning equipment, etc.

Those days helped me understand how expensive certain mistakes were, and I was in charge of executing the producer’s solution.

I appreciated everyone I worked under who allowed me to tape receipts during downtime.

It helped me understand line producing: how each department has a line item, how each receipt is tied back to that line, and how those receipts help create the picture of what was actually spent versus what was budgeted.

Some producers wait until wrap to produce their actuals.

My observation was that it was always the male producers — both gay and straight — who seemed to be the most stressed during wrap time.

The female producers I worked under taught me to do budget tracking every day.

Receipts were documented the same day instead of being held until the end of the shoot.

By the time we were wrapping up, the focus was on getting money back from returns and refunds, and our wrap days were shorter and less stressful.

The advantage to working with the male producers was that I’d usually get to work an extra day or two, making $600–$800 for the day, just for cleaning up their financial hygiene mistakes.

I’d call companies they’d lost receipts for, ask for a copy of the receipt, log that expense against the appropriate budget line, and flag any discrepancies until the totals made sense.

It was a weird little masterclass in financial management.

And I was getting paid to learn it.

Why I Still Have Those Production Binders

When it came time to produce thesis films during my final year in college, I had a very strong understanding of ways we could cut costs and practice transparent financial hygiene.

My proudest works are in production binders that no one will ever look at again. 😂

But I know what’s in those binders.

To this day, all of my projects have come in on time and on budget, with money left to spend on the wrap party — a time to thank the cast and crew for their hard work.

Working on these shoots also helped me build a roster of LA crew members who I could get referrals from to help enhance partnerships with passion projects.

Because after all, this industry is literally about relationships.

Producers are often selected based on what they can bring to the table — whether it’s a camera sponsor, celebrity or director name, location, crew, or some other resource that helps bring the project to life.

Networking Is Not What You Think It Is

Because of this, I don’t view networking as something superficial.

It’s like the Underground Railroad.

A tool vital to success.

If you want to be successful, you should surround yourself with people smarter than you.

The more you know what value you can add to someone smarter than you, the more that smart person is skilled enough to see that there’s value in teaching you.

I think people mess up networking when they try to appear as though they know everything.

No one wants to work with a know-it-all.

Embracing what you have to learn is a vulnerability that should exist while building a relationship.

All relationships we have should bring value into our lives.

I don’t think that’s transactional as long as you are providing value back.

For example: don’t be lazy once you get there.

Be eager to do more than what’s expected.

People notice this.

And if they’re not noticing, then maybe there’s an opportunity for you to learn to do something of greater value.

Shoot Your Shot

Articulate communication is also extremely important.

You gotta go into the introduction knowing what you want out of the conversation.

And usually, just by having the conversation, you’re exposed to something you weren’t even considering.

There have been countless times when someone I was NOT expecting to give me their direct phone number did exactly that because something about what I was saying resonated with them.

Now I am gonna name-drop here to provide perspective.

Byron Allen, the owner of the Weather Channel.

Debra L. Lee, former CEO of BET.

I shot my shot.

I had great conversations with them both.

They said, “Call me if you need something. I’d love to help you.”

I never used the numbers because I felt like I gained so much from the initial quick chat, and I am not one to waste anyone’s time.

If I leave the conversation feeling called in a different direction, I follow that direction.

Networking Never Stops

Speaking of this, I am writing from a coffee shop called Manos in Bali (2026).

I’ve been living here for a month and haven’t seen another Black person.

And then BOOM.

A Black woman just walked into the coffee shop.

I had to hold my excitement.

To say I am eager to make a friend is an understatement.

Nonetheless, I introduced myself to her.

Her name is Gwen.

And we’re gonna hang out soon.

I am SO excited to have a friend in my neighborhood.

But I share this now because I don’t think networking ever stops.

Our need to introduce new energy into our lives evolves with our current desires.

And we should always go after the things we want because when it’s meant to be, the cards really do fall into place.

We should not be afraid to pivot as we gain more insight into the thing we are pursuing.

Every day is an opportunity to network with your desires.

So…

What are your current desires?

Let’s talk about how you can be networking to make it happen, sis!

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