Levi Wilkinson is a freelance contractor working in video, film and television, currently living in New York City.
Wilkinson graduated from UCM in 2015 with a degree in digital media production. He is originally from Independence, Missouri.
As a freelance contractor, Wilkinson works on sets, ranging from a production assistant, grip, assistant camera, electric swing and more.
“It’s a fun industry,” Wilkinson said.
As a production assistant, Wilkinson has been able to work on some well-known shows, such as “The Looming Tower,” “I, Robot” and “Power.” However, while those jobs help his career, he said he prefers other roles over the production assistant. At times, he said all he may do is keep bystanders away from a filming area.
“You get cool sounding titles on your resume, but the work that you do on them doesn’t feel very cool,” he said. “You’re kind of a logistical tool as opposed to doing anything technical or creative, so to kind of satisfy that, and to make a little bit more money, I do work on commercials.”
Wilkinson said he prefers working on commercials because they give him a chance to help out more. This is why he also likes working on smaller productions.
In New York, Wilkinson said he feels working in film and video is more appreciated than it is in Missouri.
“Even though it’s your passion and your work, a lot of people treat it like a hobby and that’s not what it feels like in New York,” Wilkinson said. “You feel appreciated for what you do.”
Wilkinson said it’s surreal when he gets to explain what he does, arrive on set or meet great people who become his co-workers.
“It’s really worth it, especially when stuff starts coming out,” he said. “I saw that trailer for ‘The Looming Tower,’ and I can’t believe I was on that.”
While he was at UCM, Wilkinson and several other students helped create the 48 Hour Film Festival for the Filmmakers and Actors Coalition. In the festival, students are challenged to create short films in only 48 hours.
Wilkinson said he is grateful for what he learned at UCM. Places like KMOS gave him an opportunity to take what he was being taught in class and apply it.
Even so, he said working in the industry is different than what he did in school.
“While I learned a lot and it gave me the resources I needed to explore and develop, I don’t think there’s anything that is gonna prepare you for going to work at 5:30 in the morning and not getting off until 8, 9, or 10 o’clock at night.”
Wilkinson said working on film and video involves long hours and little sleep.
“Don’t worry about sleep,” he said.
He says he’s been paid for every job.
“It’s absolutely worth it,” he said.
Wilkinson said he does what he is passionate about and doesn’t know what else he would like to do.
“It’s either this or bartending,” he said. “If this is something you wanna do, absolutely give it a shot, even if you find out that it maybe not actually what you are looking for, absolutely try it.”
Wilkinson encourages students to work at KMOS for experience. He worked for the station as a student producer while on campus. He recommended that people show up on time, don’t complain and learn new information. He also said to just make short films with your friends to get better because being inactive is a bad thing.
“You don’t have to be Roger Deakins to get into the film industry… show up, work hard, pay attention and just be somebody that people can work with for 12 hours,” he said. “You gotta bust your ass, that’s pretty much it,” Wilkinson said, “Just bust your ass and don’t stop.”