Author Topic: Willco, got any tips for the film/tv biz? (Read 1956 times)

Himu · « **on:** December 29, 2009, 02:24:20 PM »

Were you a production assistant at any time? Have any tips for anyone looking to be a production assistant or to be more precise, a post-production assistant?

Did you intern at any place at any point in time?

Got any funny stories you'd like to share?

Since editing/animation is baysuckly my major and I'm just out of school, I'm keeping my options open and really need a job as a post-production assistant and a good internship. I just wanted to know how you landed your job. I don't know much about the writing side, though. I'm sure it's handled differently.

Do you have any tips at all?

Human Snorenado · « **Reply #1 on:** December 29, 2009, 02:25:35 PM »

Try not to use your teeth, and keep an even pace. Swallow. Always swallow.

Himu · « **Reply #2 on:** December 29, 2009, 02:27:21 PM »

What about deepthroats? Are those required?

Kestastrophe · « **Reply #3 on:** December 29, 2009, 02:34:51 PM »

I thought you were joining the Navy?

Himu · « **Reply #4 on:** December 29, 2009, 02:36:42 PM »

That was a maybe, mostly because I want to consider all options. Plus, I'm still not fit enough to join. Second, getting experience under my belt is more important.

Diunx · « **Reply #5 on:** December 29, 2009, 02:37:45 PM »

Don't watch the movies that you are planning on trolling.

Flannel Boy · « **Reply #6 on:** December 29, 2009, 02:38:37 PM »

Become a Scientologist. We all know you're heading there anyway.

Joe Molotov · « **Reply #7 on:** December 29, 2009, 02:40:20 PM »

Either the film industry or the Navy.

Himu · « **Reply #8 on:** December 29, 2009, 02:40:58 PM »

Quote from: Harry Lime on December 29, 2009, 02:38:37 PM

Become a Scientologist. We all know you're heading there anyway.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #9 on:** December 29, 2009, 02:43:23 PM »

Quote from: Joe Molotov® EDGE™ on December 29, 2009, 02:40:20 PM

Either the film industry or the Navy.

March 2010
Himu: Any tips on entering the fashion industry?

Himu · « **Reply #10 on:** December 29, 2009, 02:46:45 PM »

Quote from: Joe Molotov® EDGE™ on December 29, 2009, 02:40:20 PM

Either the film industry or the Navy.

The Navy has the best educational program in the military. So 4 years with that, and I can mostly pay off my college loans. Seems like a good deal to me. The film industry, however, has always been my goal. So the navy is more like a stepping stone for me to reach it. The thing is, I don't want to spend 4 years in the navy, I want to get my career going right now. But I also don't want to be swallowed in a mountain of ridiculous debt, especially in this economy.

Himu · « **Reply #11 on:** December 29, 2009, 02:47:53 PM »

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on December 29, 2009, 02:43:23 PM

Quote from: Joe Molotov® EDGE™ on December 29, 2009, 02:40:20 PM
Either the film industry or the Navy.

March 2010
Himu: Any tips on entering the fashion industry?

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #12 on:** December 29, 2009, 02:49:02 PM »

open wider

MCD · « **Reply #13 on:** December 29, 2009, 02:49:22 PM »

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on December 29, 2009, 02:43:23 PM

Quote from: Joe Molotov® EDGE™ on December 29, 2009, 02:40:20 PM
Either the film industry or the Navy.

March 2010
Himu: Any tips on entering the fashion industry?

study zippers and belts

Himu · « **Reply #14 on:** December 29, 2009, 02:49:56 PM »

http://www.ace-filmeditors.org/newace/abt_Intern.html

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #15 on:** December 29, 2009, 03:04:59 PM »

Quote from: Himuro on December 29, 2009, 02:24:20 PM

Were you a production assistant at any time? Have any tips for anyone looking to be a production assistant or to be more precise, a post-production assistant?

Yes, I've done production assistant work. Prepare to get a lot of coffee, catering, etc. before anyone lets you do anything meaningful.

Quote

Did you intern at any place at any point in time?

No, not really. Internships are not really prevalent in my field. People either work their way up for free or do production assistant work. When you get into private fields - like commercials and videos, that's where you'll find more internships.

Quote

Got any funny stories you'd like to share?

I'm pretty sure I've shared this before, but when I was a PA for an awful WB reality television show, my job was to get the host up in morning and sober him up. He was a notorious alcoholic. He had a wakeup call, and then they'd send two or three PAs to sober him up. His place was littered with liquor bottles and the guy should have owned stock in Gatorade.

Since editing/animation is baysuckly my major and I'm just out of school, I'm keeping my options open and really need a job as a post-production assistant and a good internship. I just wanted to know how you landed your job. I don't know much about the writing side, though. I'm sure it's handled differently.

Quote

Do you have any tips at all?

It really depends. What field are you trying to do post work in? Commercial? Film? Television? Etc.?

I mean, in some cases, FlameOfCallandor might be a better person to reach out.

I would say regardless of most fields, be prepared to work for free and prove your worth. The industry is kind of like boot camp, you have to earn your stripes before you can do anything meaningful - then prove you won't fuck that up for them to properly pay you.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #16 on:** December 29, 2009, 03:11:04 PM »

As for my current gig, it's just been networking. The producers I work with used to be my roommates, other acquaintances and friends have been gained along the way. We formed a pretty tight circle after everyone graduated from film school, and we've never really separated or drifted too far apart. I gather this is how many people in Hollywood end up making it.

So keep in mind that this took years of networking, and I'm just starting to get my feet wet.

Himu · « **Reply #17 on:** December 29, 2009, 03:11:17 PM »

He had to have 2-3 PA's to sober him up?

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #18 on:** December 29, 2009, 03:15:57 PM »

Yeah, and since I don't really feel it'll have any long-lasting career repricussions, I'll just go ahead and say it was former MTV VJ Brian McFadden. The best part was one day we were shooting in the Hollywood hills - below the sign - and a bunch of Japanese tourists confused him with Ryan Seacrest (although I'm positive that was precisely the reason why he was hired for the show). They started running up the hill, shouting, "Seacrest! Seacrest!" and asking for his autograph. He grinned and beared it, but immediately started pouting about it afterwards.

But yeah, he was a pretty notorious alcoholic. A lot of makeup, coffee and Gatorade went into getting the guy ready for a work day.

The coolest part about that gig was that the production offices were in the same building as Warner Bros. animation, and at the time they were preparing The Batman for television - so I stole a bunch of sketches that the artists tossed away in recycling. They were pretty awesome, though.

Himu · « **Reply #19 on:** December 29, 2009, 03:21:17 PM »

Quote from: Willco on December 29, 2009, 03:11:04 PM

As for my current gig, it's just been networking. The producers I work with used to be my roommates, other acquaintances and friends have been gained along the way. We formed a pretty tight circle after everyone graduated from film school, and we've never really separated or drifted too far apart. I gather this is how many people in Hollywood end up making it.

So keep in mind that this took years of networking, and I'm just starting to get my feet wet.

I'll keep this in mind. I've got a couple of contacts, some are family.

And tv/film is the goal. Hell, I'd settle with just tv but I've wanted to work with animated movies since I was a kid, so my heart lies with film.

I just need experience under my belt asap. I can't intern at ACE next year, but I can manage to intern at a local place for some experience.

Himu · « **Reply #20 on:** December 29, 2009, 03:25:18 PM »

Quote from: Willco on December 29, 2009, 03:15:57 PM

They started running up the hill, shouting, "Seacrest! Seacrest!" and asking for his autograph. He grinned and beared it, but immediately started pouting about it afterwards.

Now I understand his alcoholism.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #21 on:** December 29, 2009, 03:34:32 PM »

Television is pretty easy to break into. If you can get a production assistant gig on one show, and you aren't an incompotent tool, someone will hire you for another. From there you can network your way into post-production. I sat down with a producer from Discovery this June, and that's pretty much how he got his gig and how most of his peers got theirs.

And dependening on what kind of television you want to do, you will find internships that will let you take your college experience with you and bypass some of the rites of passage - such as running for Starbucks (don't necessarily count on that, though).

If you want to do film, I'd recommend moving to Los Angeles and start applying for work on any short film or independent production that needs help. If your goal is to be an editor, then I'd start working with anyone that will feed you the work. The great thing about Los Angeles is that there is never a shortage of talent or productions (even small ones), so you can start building up your reputation quickly.

If you want to do animation specifically, you can always try and be one of the bajillion people that apply for menial work at Disney in the hopes of moving up the corporate ladder, only to have their hopes and dreams crushed in a very corporate environment.

At either rate, it sounds like you need to head West.

Himu · « **Reply #22 on:** December 29, 2009, 03:41:47 PM »

I'll stick with editing. Although I can still draw pretty well, over the past few years I've realized it's not the profession for me. Which sucks. But at least editing fills the void.

I was planning on moving to NYC next year but LA does make more sense. I've also got family there, so it shouldn't be too bad.

I've got my first mac product I've ever owned for Christmas. Now I can edit whenever.

Final Cut

Willco

Thanks!

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #23 on:** December 29, 2009, 03:44:36 PM »

Yeah, I wouldn't move to New York City. It's a good place for certain things (acting, stage production, television work, etc.), but if you're looking to break into film and specifically animation, I think it might be a waste of your time.

Eric P · « **Reply #24 on:** December 29, 2009, 03:46:56 PM »

yeah, new york is a wasteland

Himu · « **Reply #25 on:** December 29, 2009, 03:51:29 PM »

Yep. I was looking to intern at a few places there for a bit because it has prominent tv studios like MTV, NBC;etc and then head west but that's completely nonsensical and pointless since my interests aren't really vested in tv production. But still, I threw it out there as an option.

Human Snorenado · « **Reply #26 on:** December 29, 2009, 04:05:16 PM »

Quote from: Himuro on December 29, 2009, 02:46:45 PM

Quote from: Joe Molotov® EDGE™ on December 29, 2009, 02:40:20 PM
Either the film industry or the Navy.

The Navy has the best educational program in the military. So 4 years with that, and I can mostly pay off my college loans. Seems like a good deal to me. The film industry, however, has always been my goal. So the navy is more like a stepping stone for me to reach it. The thing is, I don't want to spend 4 years in the navy, I want to get my career going right now. But I also don't want to be swallowed in a mountain of ridiculous debt, especially in this economy.

Face it Himu, it's destiny.

Himu · « **Reply #27 on:** December 29, 2009, 04:09:22 PM »

Don Flamenco · « **Reply #28 on:** December 29, 2009, 04:31:03 PM »

fuck your way to the top

also, convert to judaism

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #29 on:** December 29, 2009, 04:33:45 PM »

Worked for me!

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #30 on:** December 29, 2009, 04:37:05 PM »

i hear the weinsteins prefer ass to mouth, it's like their little thing

Himu · « **Reply #31 on:** December 29, 2009, 04:40:00 PM »

Ewwww. That's "no" territory. Maybe I should have Mupepe come and do it. $:-\$

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #32 on:** December 29, 2009, 04:40:42 PM »

Quote from: Professor Prole on December 29, 2009, 04:37:05 PM

i hear the weinsteins prefer ass to mouth, it's like their little thing

Only Harvey.

GilloD · « **Reply #33 on:** December 30, 2009, 03:28:05 AM »

New York is bad right now. They started cutting their tax breaks- I had 2 or 3 friends move away because there was no work. That said, I have a few other friends who do odds and ends work on shows (Set decoration, illustration, effects) that are quite happy. But low-rung stuff is in short supply in NYC.

Tauntaun · « **Reply #34 on:** December 30, 2009, 09:49:23 PM »

Quote from: GilloD on December 30, 2009, 03:28:05 AM

New York is bad right now. They started cutting their tax breaks- I had 2 or 3 friends move away because there was no work. That said, I have a few other friends who do odds and ends work on shows (Set decoration, illustration, effects) that are quite happy. But low-rung stuff is in short supply in NYC.

The Tauntaun is not however.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

[close]

Ichirou · « **Reply #35 on:** January 03, 2010, 07:16:04 PM »

How did I miss this thread?

Himu · « **Reply #36 on:** January 03, 2010, 07:25:49 PM »

Still pursuing the "dream" in Japan, Ichi?

Ichirou · « **Reply #37 on:** January 03, 2010, 07:26:29 PM »

What's the "dream"?

Himu · « **Reply #38 on:** January 03, 2010, 07:27:39 PM »

Whatever the hell it is you plan on doing.

Ichirou · « **Reply #39 on:** January 03, 2010, 07:30:19 PM »

Well, my contract ends in seven months, so I'm going to have to start to look for another job here or back home soon.

My dream has always been a career in education, so either another teaching job or back to uni for the doctorate I guess.

Himu · « **Reply #40 on:** January 03, 2010, 07:31:21 PM »

That's nice. Good for you.

Ichirou · « **Reply #41 on:** January 03, 2010, 07:34:25 PM »

Why, did you want me to join you in the navy or something?

Himu · « **Reply #42 on:** January 03, 2010, 07:37:23 PM »

I really don't want to join the military aside from the fact you get to travel and stuff. But how can I pay for college loans right outside of school? It's not like I'll get a job that is capable of paying them right off the bat. I'm not going to be some accountant or engineer.

Ichirou · « **Reply #43 on:** January 03, 2010, 07:42:42 PM »

Can you even join the navy with your health issues, though?

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #44 on:** January 03, 2010, 07:43:40 PM »

Quote from: Himuro on January 03, 2010, 07:37:23 PM

I really don't want to join the military aside from the fact you get to travel and stuff. But how can I pay for college loans right outside of school? It's not like I'll get a job that is capable of paying them right off the bat. I'm not going to be some accountant or engineer.

Dude, there's nothing wrong with getting a job and making monthly student loan payments. Your payment plan can be tailored based on your income.

Himu · « **Reply #45 on:** January 03, 2010, 08:32:01 PM »

I really want to go with that. But how much can they charge per month?

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Author Topic: Willco, got any tips for the film/tv biz? (Read 1956 times)