I used to be a pretty well known DJ in the major metropolitan area I live near... It happened organically really.. I somehow managed to get myself a gig at the busiest night club in the area, and was there every night they were open for a good solid year, after a few months people just knew me, and came up to talk to me like we were old friends even though I had no clue who most of them are. Then I stopped DJing, and it all faded away quicker than it came.
I guess the lesson learned from this is that if you want to be in the spotlight, you have to position yourself there, and then stay there. I suppose the best way to do this with film is to create something exceptional, and have it shown everywhere. Easier said than done in most cases.