http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Videomaker Community Forums » Tag: media studies - Recent Posts en Fri, 17 Feb 2012 02:06:52 +0000 http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years/page/2#post-50607 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:27:08 +0000 grinner 50607@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>You did not waste 4 years if you had a good time, man.<br /> I've seen many get a degree in this field thinking that would some how entitle them to a high-paying job, or even help with that. Then they get a chip on their choulder when they see they have to do the same legwork as the guys who just made a reel and started networking. Your reel gets ya gigs, don't think a degree does. It doesn't.<br /> While I have three degrees and have never used one, man college was no waste for me. The parties alone were worth the time. If you have the opportunity, you should go. If you just want to get to work in this industry, create a great demo reel, cold-call every production facility in your market, take what is offered (yes even if that is working for free) and climb the same ladders we all had to climb.<br /> Enjoy it. It's pretty freakin' fun. </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years/page/2#post-50448 Sun, 30 Aug 2009 07:00:43 +0000 gldnears 50448@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Zeta, Schools which teach " creative " subjects seldom teach more than the mechanics. I don't know how one goes about learning the creative instincts associated with film and video other than by exposing themself to many, many hours of their chosen craft. </p> <p>Do you really want to be a successful editor? I would suggest that if you could, you should jump into the fire in LA. See if you can weasel your way into an internship at a major studio. See if you can somehow crash the gate at the Editor's Guild and find employment as an assistant. Most top line editors are technologically handicapped and embrace assistants who can fight the computer wars and keep everything in the editing room organized and workflow uninterrupted. Being an assistant will expose you to more creative aspects of the craft than 100 years in school. Assisting should provide a living and client contacts which will ( hopefully before too long ) lead to an editor's chair.</p> <p>A career as an IATSE member will provide excellent benefits and retirement!</p> <p>RWC </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years/page/2#post-50394 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:19:22 +0000 flogonojo 50394@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I haven't read all the posts, but I want to post my two cents since I graduated a year ago from college with a degree in Television/Radio. I have felt a similar way, not that I wasted 4 years (otherwise I wouldn't have discovered that I like video), but I could have gotten a lot better education if I went to the right school. Let's just say our communication dept. was/is in dire need of some help. I feel as if I've learned as much or more after college working solely freelance video jobs.</p> <p>Like everyone else has said, don't victimize yourself...pick up a cam and start making videos. Even if it's just going to the park and shooting random people. What I've found is that if you want to be in this line of work you really have to love it. I'm a Christian, and I really believe that no matter what your line of work is that God will provide what you need if you trust in Him. He has me! Anyways, I hope you find what you're looking for zeta1983. (Wow...I didn't realize that this thread was started 1 year ago. That's when I graduated!) </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years/page/2#post-50306 Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:28:32 +0000 MazdaMan 50306@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Although I have absolutely no training or education in audio/video I do have a direct personal experience in another equally competitive field, professional racing. I spent $25,000 for a 1700 hour automotive tech school program 900 hours of that was NASCAR training, fabrication, chassis apps, aerodynamics, dyno operation, engine building, safety systems, the works. All of my instructors were either retired from nascar or currently employed on a team. The curriculum DID NOT teach enough to get you onto a team getting paid and probably 90% of the graduates couldn't even get on a team as a volunteer. The way I saw it I payed all that money to pick the brain of every instructor I had for every second of the 6 hours I saw them every day. I asked them questions until they started running out of answers. I graduated with honors, top 5 of my class and started knocking down the doors of every race team in charlotte, craftsman truck teams, busch teams, grand american series, daytona prototype teams, winston cup. 1.5 years of being turned out the door and even watching them throw my resume in the trash in front of me, finally I got into a machine shop paying minimum wage, I had a heart beat so I was qualified, after all machine shop skills are required in racing...</p> <p>I kept pounding down doors, it took me 2 years to get my first interview, I didn't like the way it went but 2 weeks later they called me back for a 2nd interview and another 2 weeks I get a call that I've been declined. A while longer goes by and one night I get a call from a guy, he tells me his name but not who he's with and wants to know what my ambitions are. I tell him about what I want to do in racing and he asks if I would be willing to take a janitor position on a team until they had an opening. I said yes without hesitation, we arrange for an interview, he says not to waste my time with making up a resume for him to see, they'll learn everything they need to know in the interview. Come to find out the director of operations was personal friends with one of my instructors at school and asked him to send over his recommendations for 3 of his previous students. After a 6 hour interview they hire me into their engine program with a few major deciding factors, first was that I completed the school program I was in and therefor showed dedication, 2nd was because I asked them just as many questions in the interview as my instructor said I did in school lol, and lastly they felt I was capable of learning any tasks needed and was humble enough to learn lesser things first. At the time the team was Evernham Motorsports, our top driver was Kasey Kahne.</p> <p>Might be a bit too much detail but I wanted to paint the clear picture that I would have never gotten there without the school and my instructors and as you can guess every nut who has ever turned a wrench on a car is knocking on their door for a dream. However a second point I would like to make is if it was worth it? After working with that team for a year I learned that if I spent that 25 grand on a mechanical engineering degree at UNC Charlotte I probably could have walked right into most of the teams without much resistance and may still be in racing now. When the economy started going south and sponsors started backing out the guys with the ME degrees kept their jobs and I didn't. The choise of what and were you go to school might be the bigger question to ask than if it was worth the time.</p> <p>Sorry for the long post. </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years/page/2#post-50097 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 06:05:21 +0000 composite1 50097@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>On your poll I chose 'other' as your first choice wasn't specific to my answer. I think if you can swing it, go for 'training' (i.e. certifications), a 'degree' (BA, MA, MFA) and work in the field. Why? Because if you're 'in this to win this' you'll constantly need to update your info and refine your techniques to stay current. I would like to think that ultimately you would like to produce larger and larger productions as you go along. Going to conferences, training seminars and attending university grade courses will not only keep you abreast of the latest gear and techniques, it will allow you to network with other industry pros. My company's latest film went into production from a chance discussion at a conference with reps from a large production equipment firm. Had I not attended the conference, the project never would have happened.</p> <p>Another reason to follow such a course is your competition. Every six months new college grads with shiny new degrees in production get turned out into the marketplace. You're going to have to compete with them, all those who came before you and all of the one's coming up behind you. Quiet as been kept, the days of 'just going out and working in the industry' are over. The trend now is to use these shiny new grads as unpaid interns. Yeah, they don't have full capabilies as production personnel but they have the higher end basic skills I mentioned earlier in the thread. Who do you think is going to get picked for internships? Some schmoe off the street with no background in production and no secondary skills or the schmoe fresh out of college with the basics? Additionally, you may find yourself not wanting to have your own outfit and want to work for a studio or production house. When you go up for those kind of gigs you'll be up against razor sharp competition. In today's economy, the comp is sharper than ever. The more knowledge, training and practical skills you've acquired will give you more opportunities to work.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years/page/2#post-50080 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:09:04 +0000 TDedmonSBP 50080@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>It's a popular radio-friendly catch phrase of one of the talk radio guys I listen to, I love it.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years/page/2#post-50078 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:50:54 +0000 composite1 50078@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>"Bovine Scatologic"</p> <p>HA! That's a good one and I shall add it to my personal lexicon.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years/page/2#post-50052 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:34:10 +0000 NormanWillis 50052@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p><em>&gt;&gt;If something is your passion, you need to pursue it and you need to know that what you are doing is something that you enjoy. I once heard that "if you love what you do for a living, you will never work a day in your life," and I believe this wholeheartedly which is why I am now less than a year from a business degree with emphasis on the entertainment industry with hopes to get a hybrid film/business masters after that.</em></p> <p>Amein.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-50026 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:08:33 +0000 TDedmonSBP 50026@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>When I started in this industry I was also going to school to be a chiropractor. I was trying to figure out along which line to plan my life's journey. One thing that I kept hearing was, "Finish your chiro and then you can always make movies/do video on the side as a hobby." Let me tell you that this is absolute bovine scatology in terms of advice. If something is your passion, you need to pursue it and you need to know that what you are doing is something that you enjoy. I once heard that "if you love what you do for a living, you will never work a day in your life," and I believe this wholeheartedly which is why I am now less than a year from a business degree with emphasis on the entertainment industry with hopes to get a hybrid film/business masters after that.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-50022 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:52:20 +0000 Digital Arts Center 50022@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>UC San Diego Extension offers a ONE YEAR Professional Career focused program in Video, Sound and Motion Graphics. </p> <p><a href="http://dac.ucsd.edu">http://dac.ucsd.edu</a> or call 858.622.5750</p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-49962 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:46:36 +0000 composite1 49962@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Zeta,</p> <p>There's a good deal of solid advice and anecdotes already so I'm not going to elaborate on any of them. Thing is, unless you're already loaded or your parents are well connected or blind luck causes the rainbow to end in your lap, no matter what you've gotten your degree in the only person able to make a place for you is you. Colleges and Universities are notorious for only giving students the 'academic' basics of an industry. Most curriculums are based upon being 'accredited' which is the college version of a 'seal of approval'. Unfortunately, to be academically accredited has nothing to do with being 'practically trained'. Colleges figure you'll get your real training when you get out on the job. All they are required to do is teach you the basic terminology and techniques of a given industry.</p> <p>Now, is having that knowledge a bad thing? Absolutely not. If you can get an education, get it. Your degree will give you other highly valuable skills like writing for example and depending on what other subjects you studied a reservoir of knowledge that will come in handy when you least expect it. Those are the only real advantages of having a degree. You'll still have to get your 'hands dirty' and do grunt work like fetching coffee, logging footage and carrying gear. There's not a whole lot of opportunity to get out of doing that. While you're doing that stuff though, keep your eyes and ears open, ask questions whenever you can and make yourself available as you can. You'll find that having those additional skills will come in handy and get you work though it may be an indirect path to what you want to do. </p> <p>Also, there are many different aspects to filmmaking as it is a collectively created artform. Yeah you can do it all yourself with your own gear these days, but it's hard and if you want to do large projects, you're going to need other people. Others have suggested you figure out what it is you want to do, that's a damn good suggestion. Scriptwriting is the genesis of any project, producing (despite what some may say in these posts) involves far more than just 'finding money' and is an artform in itself and no film gets made without it, directing (other than acting) is the most glamorous portion but carries the greatest weight of responsiblity as it gives the project it's visual and audio direction. After those you have Director of Photography which is the most critical part of the production and carries a similar weight as the Director (no pictures, no movie), Camera Person, Sound Designer, Grip, Gaffer, and Editor in my view the most difficult, thankless and most important position as the Editor 'crafts' the movie into its final form. Outside of those, there are tons of other supporting gigs that can be applied to the smallest corporate video to the biggest Hollywood production. So again, whaddaya' wanna' do?</p> <p>I got into this biz indirectly. I had an art degree and when some set up gigs to work as an illustrator tanked, fortunately I had other skills to fall back on. Eventually, I joined the service as a photographer and then became a videographer. When I got out of the service, I was back at square one just like when I got out of college. Despite having terriffic skills and experience, nobody wanted to hire me. So I chewed the bullet so to speak and started my own company which I had intended to do when I trained as a videographer. Starting your own freelancing gig may be your best option and it may not. Whatever you decide, you best be prepared to roll up your sleeves and be prepared to 'throw some bows' because nobody's going to give you anything. There will be people who will help you along the way, but only because they see you bustin' your butt.</p> <p>You are in this at a good time though. If you can lay down a 'regular gig' to keep a roof over your head and put food on the table, if you tighten your belt a bit you can save enough scratch to get gear. That's how a lot of us did and do it. At least you're not in the era when a videocamera cost $40,000.00 just to look at it (unless you're looking at a RED ONE!) Do not despair young one. If this biz is what you really want to do, you'll find a way to do it and that's for certain.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-49954 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 06:14:26 +0000 NormanWillis 49954@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hi Zeta.</p> <p><em>&gt;&gt;"What should I do?"</em></p> <p>If you ask me, if you are asking whether or not to pursue video editing as a career based on whether or not you can make a living at it, you are asking the wrong question.  Not that you don't need to make a living, but the main question is, "What do you feel called to do?"</p> <p><em>&gt;&gt;"Did I waste 4+ years?"</em></p> <p>If any of us look back on our past, we can always spot the negatives: I'm sure even the best of directors can do that:but it is irrelevant.  The Spirit has led each of us to be where we are today (and who we are today).  Regardless of whatever has happened to us in the past to us, each day is a new beginning.  We have to take stock of where we are today, right now, and then play the hand we have been dealt.</p> <p>So you have a degree, and you need experience before you can get a good paying gig?  That is not surprising.  Video editing is, essentially, art: and all of the maxims about starving artists apply.  However, the question remains, this what you love to do, or is this what you feel called to do?  If you love it, then pursue it; and find a way to put bread on your table however you can (so long as it is ethical, and legal).  If not, then find something that you do love, or something that you feel called to do, no matter whether it pays or not; and then find a way to put bread on your table.  In the end, the money is far less important than doing what you love, or what you feel called to do, because you love it, and feel called to it.  </p> <p>No matter what you do, there will be a ton of work involved: that's just life.  So if you don't want to wake up each morning and dread the thought of going to work, you need to find something that you either love, or else have a burning desire to do.    For each one of us, what that is, is different: but the old saying goes, "Do what you love, and the money will follow."</p> <p>Best of success, and please keep us posted on your progress.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-49934 Sun, 09 Aug 2009 06:27:05 +0000 peachydingo 49934@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>It all boils down to this:<br /> A: Find a career you like.<br /> B: Try to make sure it is not too competitive or easily sent to a cheaper labor market.</p> <p>I remember bragging to my Dad 10 years ago that with my computer skills, I would be in demand for the rest of my life- sure to have a job no matter what the economy did.</p> <p>Fast forward to today. The Baby Boomer managers that are running the show could not care less about employee loyalty, the American economy or even the future of this country. As long as they can make a profit RIGHT NOW, who cares about tomorrow?</p> <p>Our economy is in the state it is because of greed, pure and simple. Whoever you work for will be figuring out first and foremost how they can pay for their big house and luxury cars. Your needs and loyalty do not matter, so it is best to look out for yourselves. </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-40209 Thu, 18 Sep 2008 03:47:43 +0000 birdcat 40209@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I have read trade publication after trade pub - They all say that higher paying IT related jobs in the US are on the decline.</p> <p>If you compare the Sunday NY Times classifieds you can see this - The IT related jobs ten years ago were ten pages long (literally!) - Now they don't fill a full page.</p> <p>I used to get calls from headhunters (IT recruiters) three-four times a week - Now that's down to once a month or so, all requiring the latest skills (I have lots of legacy stuff but not too heavy on latest technologies) and when they hear that I wouldn't consider jumping for less than $100K (make more than that now - remember I have 31 years into this) they have a heart attack.</p> <p>If you are in college now, go talk to one of the career counselors they have - Also, you may want to speak to a local recruiting firm and ask them what's hot now and what they expect to be hot five years from now.</p> <p>Computer Software Engineers are one of the hot jobs of last couple of years but they are on the decline.  Computer Software Architect is hot right now and will be through next year (maybe longer - who knows).  Database Admin's will always be able to find a job, their pay is declining however as more folks go that route and the job itself is starting to get offshored.  Network folks get OK money and the good thing is that it requires a lot of hands on (which means you have a hard time offshoring) but again, lots of folks are going into that and soon supply will outstrip demand.  If I had to choose one area to specialize in that would see me through the next ten years it would be  computer security (attacks will always be increasing) and this area is still fairly new.</p> <p>All of this is my opinion and based upon my observations - I am not a lawyer nor do I play one on TV - Your mileage may vary.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-40207 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:30:53 +0000 4ca 40207@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>ya know...  I have found that if you go where your heart wants to go...  go there. Really. Usually if you follow your heart the money follows not too far after that.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-40205 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:30:29 +0000 Ryan3078 40205@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Is this what you have noticed in your area, or is it nationwide?</p> <blockquote> <p>For the Midwest region, the projected fastest-growing careers for the 2002-2012 time period are in Healthcare, Computer/Information Sciences, Engineering, and Architecture. In addition to the Northeast and South regions, physician assistants and network systems analysts are and will continue to be in high demand in this region. Demand for engineers is high as well, especially industrial, environmental, and agricultural engineers (agriculture is very important in the Midwest, specifically in the Dakotas). For those of you majoring in architecture, look for high hiring activity in Kansas, Nebraska, and Ohio.</p> <p>Top 10 Fast Growing Jobs thru 2014</p> <ol> <li>Network systems &amp; data communication analysts</li> <li>Home health aides</li> <li>Physician assistants</li> <li>Computer software engineers, applications</li> <li><a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Ohio_jobs#">Medical assistants</a></li> <li>Computer software engineers, systems software</li> <li>Database administrators</li> <li>Diagnostic medical sonographers</li> <li>Network &amp; computer <a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Ohio_jobs#">systems administrators</a></li> <li>Hazardous materials removal workers </li> </ol> </blockquote> <p>Seems to me that these are jobs in high demand!  Are the stats really wrong?  Are those you have noticed loosing jobs in senior positions, or low on the ladder?</p> <blockquote></blockquote> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-40200 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 07:16:09 +0000 birdcat 40200@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>As a data processing professional (for over 31 years now) I would highly recommend that anyone stay well away from any computer career.  Too much is shipped overseas at this point - I would recommend getting a degree in management with a minor in computers if you want to go into MIS but I cannot in good conscience NOT warn folks about this once exciting and well paying occupation which has gone to crap in less than seven years.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-40189 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:11:20 +0000 Ryan3078 40189@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <blockquote> <p> I would NOT recommend CIS, IT, MIS or anything like that as a future ocupation.</p> </blockquote> <p>Good to hear a year in advance!...I am definitely going to go for a computer/tech related major - what would you suggest otherwise than Information Systems?  I was originally going to try Computer Science, but learned it was almost all programming, which is not high on my list as a job, so now I am looking at something else computer related...</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-40182 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:14:37 +0000 birdcat 40182@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <blockquote> <p> What's CIS, IT, MIS, and EE. Pardon my ignorance. I can't know everything :)</p> </blockquote> <p>CIS = Computer &amp; Information Science (or as mentioned above: Computer Information Systems - basically computer programming)</p> <p>IT = Information Technology (programming, network, security, hardware, etc...)</p> <p>MIS = Management &amp; Information Science (management of programmers &amp; programming)</p> <p>EE = Electrical Engineering (people who design &amp; build computer chips)</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-40176 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 06:34:18 +0000 robGRAUERT 40176@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> What's CIS, IT, MIS, and EE. Pardon my ignorance. I can't know everything :)</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-40173 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:46:35 +0000 birdcat 40173@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <blockquote><p>I think I'm going to end up in the same boat. I'm heading off to Ohio University next fall, and I think that I'm going to have to double major - in Video Production which I love - and in Computer Information Systems, to ensure that I can find a steady job. </p></blockquote> <p>I realize this is a little late but the advice still holds.</p> <p>I do video as a hobby (just getting off the ground as a side business now) and have been paying the bills as a programmer for 31 years (paid quite well including now) however, I would NOT recommend CIS, IT, MIS or anything like that as a future ocupation.  I have seen hundreds (literally) of co-workers and friends lose their IT based jobs over the past 7 years - It really is not where I'd put my energy right now.  If you can do EE or something like that there may be a future (but that too may go the way of the programmer - lower salaries, fewer jobs, moving offshore).</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-40172 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:03:09 +0000 peachydingo 40172@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>An education is never a waste. Never! I have a Political Science BA, but I just started doing corporate videos. How? By getting every business experience I could. Attend video industry conventions, take free gigs, work with your local cable access TV channel, focus on classes that have direct usefulness for you (FCP, Adobe, sound, etc.) and look at <a href="http://www.lynda.com/">http://www.lynda.com</a>.</p> <p>Having a non-related degree allows me to talk with people on a wide range of issues, and when it boils down to it, videography is nothing more than a business. How you promote yourself and your work is at least as important as how technically proficient you are. There are plenty of starving "artists" out there- but the guy who can talk to the producer/CEO intelligently will get the job.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-38956 Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:47:29 +0000 chrisColorado 38956@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Oh yeah? I only have a one year certificate and probably don't need that. Making a couple features for hollywood. I think someone needs to make it in this field without a degree. Might as well be one of us, maybe me, maybe you.</p> <p>Go for it Rob! Lincoln was looked down on for being a country kid.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-38955 Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:44:33 +0000 robGRAUERT 38955@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> haha...i see the point you're trying to make, but times have changed. george and abe wouldn't be able to do anything today without some kind of degree.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-38953 Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:40:25 +0000 chrisColorado 38953@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I taught myself web design during my last semester of college and now have a <strong>VERY WELL</strong> paying job doing web design with video editing every now and then when my boss needs it. It worked for me to teach myself another skill besides video. Now I have good cameras, good software, good money.</p> <p>Besides, what is education for? <strong>TO TEACH YOURSELF HOW TO LEARN</strong> and more importantly, <strong>THAT YOU CAN LEARN ANYTHING YOU WANT!</strong></p> <p>I know you guys can do it. Two guys I've heard of didn't have very much formal school and became famous. You've probably heard of them too: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-38940 Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:42:19 +0000 ChosenList 38940@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Check out <a href="http://www.chosenlist.com/">http://www.ChosenList.com</a> and our Video Agent Program.  Its not neccessarily a career choice but its a cool way to make money on the side as a videographer.  Shoot and upload classified video ads for people who couldnt otherwise.  I have people making $5,000 a month.  Its free to get involved and all the money goes straight to you.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-38615 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:08:31 +0000 grinner 38615@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>If watnting to go to work in this industry, your gonna have to pick up the phone and make some calls. Take the first gig offered... it'll be for free. Take it. Do it. Thats a foot in the door, man. You'll be learning more there than you were when you were paying money to learn at a school. They'll then pay you a little and when you leave you'll get hired on at a higher level. This is how it's done.</p> <p>I moved my family to five states in as many years, salray-climbin' and dream-chasin'.</p> <p>you'll need to stop going to school to do this. KNow a degree means nothing at all to anyone at all in this industry. Your reel does.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-38092 Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:38:01 +0000 Ryan3078 38092@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I think I'm going to end up in the same boat.  I'm heading off to Ohio University next fall, and I think that I'm going to have to double major - in Video Production which I love - and in Computer Information Systems, to ensure that I can find a steady job.</p> <p>Where I'm at now, video production seems great - it's fun, easy for me, and pays well.  I've built up a list of clients including local artist groups, parishes, and organizations like the American Cancer Society.  But the work is freelance, and I'm guessing that it's not gonna pay the bills in the real world.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-38034 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:23:20 +0000 Disccentralnet 38034@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Editing like any art form requires the artist to practice,practice, practice.  Find some gigs paying or not and develope your skills.  The hard work could turn in to a great porfoilo to show potential employers.</p> <p>Hang in there. </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/did-i-waste-4-years#post-35895 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:58:06 +0000 chrisColorado 35895@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hey zeta1983!</p> <p>I discovered from one year at my community college that you can teach yourself anything a class can teach you...for less money. One big thing college helped me with was a network of friends/contacts.</p> <p>I know <strong>lynda.com</strong> has video training for every major software there is(Avid and Final Cut to Adobe stuff and Microsoft Office to Windows Movie Maker and iMovie). Go and look around.</p> <p>Go Make A Movie! It doesn't matter if it is edited on Windows Movie Maker(my first and second movies were) and shot with an Aiptek media recorder(hard drive camera) from Circuit City(my second-fourth movies were). Get out and do something. You'll learn stuff to prepare you for when you have better equipment/more money/more time.  </p> <p>I find encouragement from Robert Rodriguez, who's book 'Rebel Without A Crew' tells about how he made 'El Mariachi' when he was broke and suddenly, Hollywood bought it!</p> <p>Good Luck!!</p>