Hey everyone, I am one of thousandes of Chinese students leaving our homes, making a big investment to MFA program wish to break into the film business in L.A.

But how is the employment situation in L.A. for foreign students? I heard it is pretty hard to get a work visa.

I don't know what could be our foreigner's advantages...

Does anyone know some Chinese friends around being successfully hired in the industry?


Do you think, some positions will be offered, as it seems there are more international colaborations coming?

Thanks a lot and waiting for replies.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Amy Loa:
Hey everyone, I am one of thousandes of Chinese students leaving our homes, making a big investment to MFA program wish to break into the film business in L.A.

that depends on which field of the entertainment industry you plan to venture. i don't have any statistics on hand, but, in my observation, there's a lot of foreign--mostly Asian-- animators that work on the design department. just look at the credits that roll after an animated movie and you'll see names that aren't american, lol. as to directing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing and producing, it's still hard to penetrate, but hollywood and its movies are becoming more global, so, the prospects are hopeful.

Thanks a lot!!
My friend in the Chinese film industries said, international distribution/producing is one of the most hopeful area.
But no idea taking a producing program as a student in LA helps little in becoming a international producer.
Maybe, we should start our career in China first then,,,,

When you enroll as an MFA student, you will receive a student visa. On a student visa, you will be allowed to participate in an internship (such as, between your class years), whether for money or for free (school credit). After you graduate, you can work for one year in an "optional practical training" status (OPT). It is important that to take advantage of OPT you have to apply for it before graduating. OPT is active for 14 months from the date of your graduation, independent of when you actually start your work.
During OPT you will still be on your student visa. When OPT is over, your visa is over and you can not work or offer any services even for free (very important - not even for free!). You can not be self-employed either.
What you need to get in order to continue working is a work visa (H1B). You cannot apply for H1B on your own. You need to find a company that will sponsor your H1B. It will not be any company that would like to hire you - it has to be a relatively large company that can justify to the citizenship and immigration authority that they could not find an American resident with similar set of skills so they had to hire you. H1B has several periods of extension and overall will allow you to work for about 7 years, I believe. If you plan to work in USA for longer, you need to apply for a green card prior to the last year of your H1B.

To summarize, to get a job out of MFA you will need to find a company that will sponsor your H1B.

P.S. I am on H1B, but I am not in the film industry as of now. I'll be glad to answer your questions further if any.

Needless to say, the competitiveness in Los Angeles is huge. Too many people from too many nations come here to try to break into the film industry.

Several factors come into play in determining whether or not you will be able to get an internship or a job here.

You will NOT be excluded from the industry because you're a foreigner. If you are talented, then you have a chance. Be courteous and assiduous. Work hard. Make friends.

I myself don't recall working with a Chinese person, but I have worked with people from Italy, India, Brazil... They were incredibly skilled people with great command of English.