No Experience, Need Help!

[cmscalvert]

I gradiated from Albright College, Summa Cum Laude, with a Degree in Digital Media and Art. My specialty is video editing with final cut pro. I have a dvd of college projects but have no commercial editing experience. I only had a semester long internship at a local public access station. Due to the fact that I have little-to-no money that I can use to establish a new residence, I cannot take an internship in my field in a beneficial location. Cape May, NJ has no internships for television production and/or video editing. I cannot gain commercial/professional experience in my field in my current economical situation/location. Are there things I can do to get the experience I need without going poor and running out on my student loans by trying to live elsewhere, or am I screwed? Please reply!

 

[Digigenic]

Well, if your professors assisted you in getting you your internships, perhaps they might also be able to help you with finding some real work.
Another option would be to simply seek opportunities through your film commission. I believe NJ has a couple.
Also, try contacting board moderator Filmosity (Chris) of Filmosity Productions in NJ and NJ Final Cut Pro User's Group. He might know of some alternatives for you to consider.
Good Luck

 

[cmscalvert]

thanks I guess

thanks I guess

My Profs know NO ONE in the biz...Digital Media was only established as a co-major at Albright in 2001. It didn't exist there before then, therefore the profs have no professional connections and neither does the career center there. The rest seems like a great idea though. Thanks.

 

[cmscalvert]

still searching

still searching

My thanks go to Filmosity for pointing me in the right direction and DigiGenic for telling me to seek him out. They helped me get started. Does anyone else have any helpful advice to get my first video editing job?

 

[temerson]

start asking around with everybody you know that has a business. ask them if you can make a spec commercial for them. do it. then, use that as a calling card to send to other companies. as soon as you get one commercial or promotional or industrial video done, if the client likes it they will pass your name on to their other friends.

 

[cmscalvert]

thanks

thanks

Good idea. Thanks.

 

[cmscalvert]

Opportunity? Copyrighting?

Opportunity? Copyrighting?

As of right now, I am in correspondence with my uncle who is a partner in an advertising business. He's willing to have me stay with him in North Jersey, close to opportunities in the field, either as an intern or volunteer. This is so I can gain experience. Noted, this is a great opportunity, but I've never been one to suffer too long. His family's lifestyle differs greatly from mine, in manners, taste in food, and economic bracket. Despite this I am still in negotiation with him.
If I take this, should I still begin finding freelance work from my home in Cape May, NJ? I only have Adobe Premiere 6.5 as an editing tool, and a simple mini-DV camera for shooting. My computer is not built specifically for production, so my results may vary. This is another reason why I am aprehensive about doing freelance work.

Also, how do you copyright still-Art, like drawings or paintings, inexpensively. From what I heard, the old myth about sending yourself an unopened, dated copy of your work in the mail doesn't work. I don't know where that originated, but according to the US Copyright office, that method does not apply. I saw one option that only costed as much as $75 or less, and another that costed $200+. Does anyone know how to do this properly and inexpensively?

 

[markcheng]

you should definitely have some way of showing your work on the web. the net will help you gain exposure. I'd love to see samples of your work.

i posted a while back about the mail/envelope not working. at this stage, don't be too concerned about copyrighting your work (in my humble, humble opinion). focus on your craft, making each opportunity a learning one, building an impressive reel, and using the net to help you gain exposure.

since you're young and can afford risk and a low income, make use of those traits and price either really low or do it for no cash. your payment will be another addition to your reel. ask ppl what they're paying their current editors. Tell them you'll do it for 50% cheaper. That should be worth the risk of trying a new, young talent like yourself.

all of this is my super humble, humble opinion!!!

mark.

 

[markcheng]

check the classifieds on this site too. just saw something there about editors wanted. mc

 

[cmscalvert]

no idea on web

no idea on web

I have a dvd of all the projects I did for senior seminar class in my last semester at Albright. I also have the quicktime movies that were used to create that dvd. All of these movies have a size of over 500MB, one even over 1.3 gigabytes. I have little to no idea how to convert the files to a smaller size, or even if I wanted to use whole videos or just snippets.

BTW, my camera's lens/display/viewfinder just died (I can't record), and since I bought it in 2004, I can't get it exchanged. Since I have practically no expendable income, let alone enough to buy a professional grade camera, I only have the editing program now.

How do I convert my big files to little ones? What is the cheapest camera that will shoot well and how much will it cost? My symbol is my logo, and I want to copyright it for business purposes, how do I copyright my symbol/logo?

 

[cmscalvert]

PS

PS

One more thing. I don't have enough money to post my videos on the web properly, and like I said I need to shrink them file-size wise.

 

[markcheng]

what do you edit your video in? there should be settings there to output to smaller screen dimensions. Make each clip less than 10 megs. less than 5 is even better. they should each be less than 3 minutes. 5 minutes max. you can put them on yahoo for free. just sign up for a free email and use their briefcase tool to share your files. all your funds should be used to push career forward. I think protecting your logo from being stolen is lower on your priority list. it should be taken care of eventually, but don't get bogged down with those things. (in my humble opinion) mc

 

[temerson]

I was just sitting around thinking about everything that you are trying to do to get some work (paid work, especially). If you have projects that you did in college, go ahead and put a couple of reels together:

- Director's Reel - Used to show scene work with actors. This has to be the WHOLE package: acting, lighting, sound, EVERYTHING.

- Dir. Photo. Reel - Find the best shots and sequences that you've done before. If you have a specialty, use a majority of that kind of lighting. If you want to expand possibilities, use several different types of lighting and design that you did. Set it to music and feel free to leave in a line or two.

- Editor's Reel - Again, look for your best work. Grab two or three scenes of different tempos (action sequence, love making sequence, dialogue sequence) and put them together on a reel.

Once you have this, go ahead and take it out to whomever you want to see it. Also, a few of the "backdoors" into professional production work:

- Commercials
- Local Music Videos
- Industrial Training Videos
- Corporate Promotional Videos
- Advertising Agencies - Talk to local ad agencies and give them your Reels. They always have commercials and ad campaigns coming up that they need professional help on. And, you can charge pretty much whatever you want, or leave it as an open bid.

And, like I said, when you talk to your friends and their friends that have companies that need to do commercials and promo videos and the like, when it comes to charging them, go ahead and do it at a professional level. For instance, when I do promotional videos, even for friends, the most BASIC rate is $500. That's to videotape an event and put it onto a DVD. That does not include editing, equipment rental, and things of that sort. And, that's the friend rate, as well. Now, depending on where you are located, that may be a little much. But, for my purposes, if I can do just one of these a month (at the base rate), I have my rent paid up on time all the time. It's just something to pay the bills. Keep that in mind. The great part is, these projects take almost no time once you are in the editing suite. I have a lot more time to devote to larger projects because of these.

 

[cmscalvert]

projects/reels

projects/reels

Let me just tell you that the dvd I made on my own is all music videos. Different friends and things, including a few vids made with Maya instead of real footage, and a video that used only footage from a wrestling videogame. My 3D animation compilation video showed all of my 3D projects in one little music video. They are ALL music videos.

What is the difference between a directors reel and an editors reel? I know the photo reel is supposed to be highlights from the best projects. And on the directors reel, what do you mean by everything? Do you mean like behind the scenes stuff with extra outtakes or just the WHOLE video? If it's extra footage, I have none. Also, my whole videos are over 500 MB each.

As far as my techniques, I'm not really all that experimental. Things like lighting and camerawork rarely occured to me when I was making these vids. I just let the editing compensate for any deficiencies. Although, my vidoes are not really "professional" quality, so unfortunately, they are of little or no use to perspective employers. I'm intermediate or just slightly above average when it comes to using FCP. I haven't gotten much practice with Premiere. My camera is also busted and will take $150 to fix.

There isn't a market for freelance video work around here. Anyone who wants a video, wants it done for free. A friend of mine wants a video, and can only have it done for free due to her financial situation, but she needs to produce the song that will be used for it (she's a local singer). I'm also doing her website.

If I did anything else for real clients, I couldn't charge that much because they'd think my work lacks the "professional look" they so desire. I'm an editor, not much of a cameraman using my own judgement, although I take direction well. I was a cameraman at BCTV in reading for my last semester at college.

As far as experience. I may have an opportunity coming up soon that'll put me in north jersey, under the care of my uncle who is a partner in an advertising business. He knows some people up there who may be able to give me the production experience I need to get a real job editing. Still scared to move forward.

 

[cmscalvert]

to markcheng

to markcheng

I edit using Final Cut Pro, primarily. But my computer is a PC, and all I can use here is Adobe Premier, which I haven't had nearly as much experience with. My music videos, they longest one is just about 5 minutes long. The resolutions are about 720 X 480. Does MSN have a service for posting video? I'm not changing my business email again. I have my mail on a hotmail account. If I changed it, I'd have to go back into EVERY site I ever used the hotmail account for my resume and change it to yahoo. Thats over 100 different sites and documents. So for right now, screw yahoo email, IMHO, I already have a message ID there. As far as my money, I have bills to pay, rent, food, student loans, gas. I can't afford to be behind in them, at all. I'm not one to let financial responsiblities and obligations go just because there's something else I want. Plus, my major savings account is only to be used in the event that I move out and get my own apartment. In short, my money can only be used at a bare minimum to 'push my career', if at all.

For other answers, please see my other posts on this thread, if you can't find an answer there, message me again.

 

[markcheng]

dude, don't be scared! a lot of ppl have been and are in your situation. The different types of reels just showcase different nuances of filmmaking from lighting to editing, etc. This is what i'd recommend:

1. fiddle around with premiere and learn how to reduce the dimensions and file size of your samples.

2. find some free places on the net where you can upload your files and ppl can view them. Yahoo is one.

3. make sure your finances are in order and you have enough to live as well as nurture your passion for editing. If you have to get an office job, do that for a bit while you try to get gigs. with an office job (or something stable like that), you'd have a consistent income you can budget with. It may even free you up to get some non-paying, but good experience projects. Remember that you're competing with more experienced ppl, but those same ppl probably have to charge $$ for their work. you could underprice them to gain experience.

4. use your networks! if changing your email is going to cause that much damage, then you must be well networked! so tap them and if you have to work for free, then make the most of it!!

ok that's it for my advice! good luck!
mark

 

[cmscalvert]

Camera

Camera

I have sent my camera to be repaired and am unsure what to do when it returns. I have asked this before; Should I take the possibility of an internship living with my uncle in Monclair, NJ, or should I try to get freelance work from Mandy.com when my camera is returned? I have no experience in using Mandy.com, so I don't know if I'd even qualify for freelance work. Post replies at your convenience.

 

[markcheng]

hey man,

I have a need for documentary film editors right now, but I have no way of knowing if you're qualified. You need to have samples of your work on the net in order for me (and most people) to consider giving you a project to work on.

In either of the paths you've laid out, how would you intend to solicit projects? Once we can see your work, we can give you better advice.

mark.

 

[cmscalvert]

Posting Video On the Net

Posting Video On the Net

How do I post video on the net? Which hosting service do I use? My music videos are 5 minutes at the most. What media format, screen size, bit rate for sound and video, length, resolution, and file size should each movie be? Should I post each whole video or just snippets? I have videos that use live action and a few that use computer animation (like the one for my production logo). Give me the specs I need to make the most ideal postings that I can, so people can see my work. Reply ASAP.

 

[cmscalvert]

Video Formats

Video Formats

I have several music videos that last between 3 an 5 minutes. I want to post them to the web. What is the smallest filesize I can get using Adobe Premier 6.5? Also, what codecs should I use in that program when exporting, and what video format should I use?

I have seen a 1 minute clip, that runs at 384kbps, is a 2.91mb wmv file, 320 x 240, 32khz stereo audio, and plays easily. Given these specs, I need to make something similar that is still downloadable from a website, but good enough in quality to impress employers.

Does anyone know how to do Video For Web exporting? Iif so, can you please help me ASAP?! How do I do this?