We recently connected with Jon Mitchell and have shared our conversation below.

Jon, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

In the Film & TV industry I think there are 3 big keys to success:

1. Work for “Free”
Everyone has to start somewhere. When I started freelancing as an on-set film worker, I functionally had no resume. Sure I had worked some full time jobs in post-production with reputable companies, but it wasn’t relevant experience. So what did I do? I was a production assistant (PA) for free. Why? Because beggars can’t be choosers! I found 3 student films that needed help and volunteered to work on those projects. Doing this gave me two things: (1) a resume with relevant experience and (2) a network of filmmakers who were appreciative of my hard work.

I wouldn’t recommend people work for free for long, definitely set a boundary for yourself. After a few projects, you have enough experience that folks ought to pay you. As you move up though, don’t expect the red carpet however, you’re gunna have to work for free again! When I decided it was time to give myself a promotion, I worked for free as an assistant director (AD). Not long after I started doing that, word got around that I was an AD, and I started getting paid to do that.

Currently, I’m in that same boat with producing. I’m working on a number of “passion projects” i.e. working for free!! It’s obviously not as exciting as getting paid, but I know from experience that the insight and network I’m developing will pay dividends. Work for free, meet people, learn as much as you can – this is how you break in and move up.

2. Abundant Curiosity
Film and TV projects can be short lived sometimes. That is why it is critical to work every project with abundant curiosity. Talk to other crew members, your superiors, your peers. Ask them how they do what they do, how they find work, what the best way to do “xyz” is. You will be surprised by the wealth of knowledge around you. On top of that, the good people will see you as someone who’s willing to get the job done right (make sure you execute on that too!) and they will hire you again.

3. Relentless Commitment to the Field
Never give up. Freelancing is a tough business. There’s feast and famine, rampant investment and then strikes, dying mediums and the ones replacing them. I’ve watched many talented folks give up on this field because they couldn’t handle the instability of it – and I don’t blame them. It sucks. But if you want to succeed in the Film & TV business you have to commit to always finding a way through uncertain times, because they will always come sooner or later.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a lifelong filmmaker who calls New York City my home. I grew up, however, in West Virginia where I fell in love with filmmaking running up and down “the holler” with my friends and the camcorders we borrowed from our dads. I moved to New York City in 2015 and spent a few years working in post-production full time before deciding that I needed to get out from behind the computer and onto set in 2019 as a freelancer. On set I quickly realized I excelled as an assistant director and production logistics wonk.

The transition from full time to freelance was not easy. That first year I worked somewhere in the ballpark of 20-40 days on an actual film or TV set. Then COVID came to town. But with persistence I gradually built a network of colleagues and found myself with plenty of work, eventually landing roles as in production coordination and assistant directing. Over the course of my career I’ve found myself working on productions for: Netflix, Disney+, HBO, ABC, Hulu, History Channel, Investigation, Discovery, ITV, DreamWorks Animation and many others. I’ve also had the pleasure of working on 3 Emmy-Nominated projects and a number of A-List performers and presenters.

In 2023 I took my career a step further by producing and directing my first short film: The Sapling (@thesaplingfilm on Instagram). This project grew me a lot, giving me first hand experience in these above-the-line roles. The following year, in 2024, I helped the star of my film – Anna Mayo – produce her directorial debut “Devils”, a WestEgg Media production. Fast forward to today and I am producing multiple projects in various stages of the production pipeline including: a short film, a TV pilot, my sophomore film as a director, a feature film, a podcast, and a short form ‘vertical’ series.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I keep a note on my phone of outlandish, shoot-for-the-stars goals to remind myself what I’m working towards. On that list is working with people that I’d love to collaborate with, showrunning a TV series based on one of my favorite childhood book series, directing a Star Wars project, or just working on a project with a 9-figure budget (in any capacity. Those are some of things I’m working towards in the long-run.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I love the collaboration so much. Filmmaking is an inherently collaborative project. There’s nothing more rewarding than working with a group of great folks (extrovert, guilty as charged) and watching an idea transform and take shape as everyone contributes their expertise, creativity, and perspective to the project.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jonmitchell.tv
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonmktchell/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-mitchell-77599941/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jonmktchell