This week’s Leveling Up features director and content creator Emma Pascu, 21, who’s sharing three moves she’s actively using to build her filmmaking career — starting with zero industry connections.

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Her first move? Claim the title before you feel ready. Emma started calling herself a director before she had a stacked portfolio to prove it. She created a website, built her Instagram presence, and owned the identity. From there, she focused on making connections herself — cold messaging creatives she admired, setting up coffee chats, and reaching out to brands and designers about collaborations.

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Loved this tip? Keep up with Emma on Instagram to keep up with her filmmaking journey and see what she creates next. Learn more on her website.