How Important Is Networking?

Here's a bit from an interview with the lead special effects artist on
Angel, about getting established in a competitive field like his:

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WWFF -
How important is networking?

AH -
The two things you have to do in LA, boiled down, are, 1. work on your
thing, and 2. build relationships. You have to know when to shut the door
and get some time on the clock building your skills. That.s why you.re
here, so, get something done. Don.t party everyday, unless you already
have the career you want. But then, you also have to know when to go out
and drink (or not drink) with people. You have to build relationships with
people you.re going to work with. Go to all film wrap parties. A film wrap
party is not so much about hooking up with the wardrobe girl as it is
about having a little fun with each crewperson. You.re kind of saying,
.hey, I liked what you did on this movie, lets work together again some
time.. You have to become a face in the film community, even if just in
one small circle. And if you can, you should constantly try to hook other
people up with jobs. Do a little bit of that and now you have a family.
Going out to parties and bars has gotten me jobs, gotten me into doors to
pitch movies, gotten my screenplay to a high profile Hollywood agent (even
though he didn.t like it, my vodka-aided pitch in the corner of the bar
got him to read it within a day, which is almost unheard of). I suppose
the same could be said of golf courses.