Getting that first paying job in your field - major hurdle

	don’t be too picky
	apply to many places
	drop ego to be someone’s video 'slave' for the experience
	working for free on big projects - ticket to impressive credits on resumes
	soon enough you’ll have some seniority, relish not being in the hot seat for the moment with crushing responsibility
	watch & learn how & how not to handle what one day you will be doing by watching your bosses.
	yes it’s unfair so many things are against your success...... get over it!

Entry level production jobs

	Production assistant
	grip
	electrician
	A2 - assistant audio
	studio camera
	Data Tech - downloading P2 and  SxS cards from cameras

Under 'documents' setup two directories on your computer, each contact get their own file folder

	New Contacts -  (when you are hired for the first time move this file to Clients)
	Clients

stress experience relevent to the person hiring you

	remember you are an entry level job applicant - everyone  starts at the bottom
	tout jobs skills you’ll be hired for
	don't tout what a great producer you are when a producer is hiring you to be a grip or  PA

list specific shoots and projects
stress not how great you are but, what you can do for an employer to make them look good or their life easier

keep a running list of all productions you’ve worked on

	dates, position, production titles, director
	update this on your computer files and on your web site
	update on your computer at least every 6 months

good references are gold

	don’t hand these out with every job
	these people can get annoyed getting called frequently

letter of reference

	ask from very special people you’ve established a working relationship with
	only from people you know beyond doubt really like your work
	ask them outright first if they would give you a GOOD reference, let them be honest
	ask for a personal copy yourself

handing these out shows you are serious
get a nice glossy stock and print them out on your computer at the least - include a QR code so people can instant add you to their phone contact list
if you are too poor for  bus. cards...get free ones at Vista print - don't  print out on your computer - (loss of respect)

	in your wallet
	more importantly in your potential client's wallet or pocket
	Jak Prints   http://www.jakprints.com/business-card-printing/
	totally broke? - try these for free VistaPrints

a simple one page is all you need to start include:

	all contact information
	description of major productions worked
	job positions you've worked
	put some graphic styling to it to show your creativity (or have someone do it for you-barter)

server space

	if you have an e-mail account chances are you have free server space
	try to get a server with out advertising, but any web site is better than none

listing

	if you can afford a domain name & website for $25 a year do it - very professional image
	this is the 21st century get listed on search engines!!! start with Google
	anyone should be able to type your name and your city and bring you up

	take pictures of behind the scenes work you do on productions
	hand the camera over to friends so you have some shots of yourself as well
	if friends take pictures on their cameras have them e-mail the files to you
	put only the most flattering on your website

Archive your notable productions

	don’t save or show work that you have not had a major hand in influencing
	sad truth: 50% of what you work on you’ll never have access to in reality
	politely ask for access to getting show copies during production
	go after them as soon as they are done- provide a large capacity jump drive  16-32gb
	make it as easy as possible for those getting you material, remember they are busy people

archive on hard drives, DVD or mini-DV - benefits

	already digitized
	small sized cassettes easy/cheap to archive

Create Vimeo on-line reel

	establish a free account on vimeo (more high end perception than YouTube)
	trim ends - clean up before encoding - 1 sec black after
	always encode at 1500-2000 kbps
	be consistent on audio settings - be safe select mono

 

don’t worry about taking a job in the "wrong" area, you can’t go wrong when you are starting out as long as you’re in your field and learning.
Take on free / non-paying work with reputable people - essential to get high end experience.
Shoot for getting exposed to the highest level of production possible at least every now and then even if you have to run for coffee. Make contacts and watch the process like a hawk.

You may need to put up with harsh, dictatorial, angry, severe bosses

if you’re getting good experience do it as long as you can, practice healthy behaviors but don’t take abuse

Go for lots of different jobs within your field, many times our ego aspirations are not what we will end up being happy & doing  our best

	listen to those around you for their feedback about what you do best.
	We are happiest doing those things we do best in the long run

Job opportunity reality:

	many of your best jobs will literally fall in your lap - jump on them!!!! don’t discount them
	the rest will require lots and lots of tedious hard work - go for it!