Forums » Making Money

1. zeta1983
   Member

   

   I graduated with a degree in "Media Studies" and a concentration in "Production Technology" about a year and a half ago.  I learned to edit video and audio, and run a news program.  Unfortunately, there was very little in the way of anything that has actually helped me make a living.  I thought I was going to become a video editor, but it's hard to edit video when your training consists of one lesson of AVID and one lesson of Final Cut Pro.  It was very basic.  I'm making less than $6000 a year now because I don't have sufficient skills.

   What should I do?

   Posted 6 months ago # Login to Send PM

2. Ken
   Member

   

   zeta1983,

   Well, just about everyone and their pet dog wants to be a movie-maker. So it will probably take you a while to build up to a good full-time job as a video editor. Start making contacts. Participating in events like the 48 Hour Film Project is a good start. Even though such events don't pay, they give you both experience and exposure. Also, see if there are professional video organizations near you.

   Good luck,

   Ken Hull

   Posted 6 months ago # Login to Send PM

3. VideoChick
   Moderator

   

    I felt that way, too, but my education was many moons ago. We did nothing but watch the instructor edit our videos.  I wrote a class paper for another teacher on a job I'd like to get as an editor for a new cable TV channel that was just starting up. But the teacher gave me low points because he believed that style of shooting and editing was annoying, no one would watch it and it was a fad and wouldn't last. That cable channel was MTV.

   What I did get out of the education was an understanding of equipment usage and the techniques, and an understanding of the phrase "know the rules so you know when to break the rules". What I also got out of school was the contacts, ... the teachers, and my fellow students and even the local TV stations. The students really helped each other out, and many of the teachers were connected to the local video industry.

   The advice I would tell others who have just graduated and realized they didn't have enough real-world skills, was to find the work and offer to do things for free until you could get paid to do it. I did a lot of free work at our local PBS station. Back then, in the 1980s, the gear was outrageously expensive, and we didn't have access to free software downloads like you have now.

   Play around with some trial software and learn everything you can from them. Then look at your local music connections. Bands are always needing to do a music video, but can't afford to hire a top-rate videographer. Offer to do their video for the cost of dinner and your tapes, for instance. And do this with a few other civic-minded clubs and organizations who want to record their events to build your skills and to develop a good resume tape. Eventually you'll get the work, but make video your priority. Shoot a lot, join a club, or, like Ken Hull above says, join groups like the 48-Hour Film Project and get connected. Good luck.

   Posted 6 months ago # Login to Send PM

4. DaveArthur
   Member

   

   Zeta,

   Don't sell yourself short! If you completed a media studies program, then you have at least some skill in creating video already. As far as building your video editing skills goes, a copy of Final Cut Express is less than $200 and it functions almost exactly like Final Cut Studio. You can build your skills with an off the shelf camera and computer with this basic software.

   If I were you, I'd start making videos myself right away. Make instructional stuff and get int on YouTube and other social video sites. Be creative and start showing the world how good you are. Look on Craigslist for people looking for video crewmembers or videographers for various shoots or events. Be willing to be a grip and drag lightstands around if that is all you can find. Every gig gives you an opportunity to learn and make contacts.

   Start putting together a reel of your work to show people who might be interested in hiring you as an editor or videographer.

   Start creating your own How-To and Special Interest Videos to sell yourself. The market is strong and growing for informational media and it has never been easier to create professional quality products and to reach your customers.

   You chose a great area to study. The opportunities are wide open, but people aren't going to come looking for you in the beginning. Get out there and start working. The paying gigs (or video sales if you are producing your own) will come as your contacts and skills develop.

   Dave

   www.HowToVideoPRO.com

   Posted 6 months ago # Login to Send PM

5. videolab
   Member

   

       My first questions are what (geographic) market do you live in, have you done at least one internship, and what part of the video market do you want to work in. It is very difficult to start working in a large market with no experience. Period. Whether your good or not. So if you have no experience get a internship. It may not pay (the good ones don't) but it will lead to a job potentially. If your in a huge market you may have to move to a small market for a while. I lived in Dallas TX while in school and moved to Savannah GA to get experience. And It was a great experience. I was promoted twice in the first two months it was the best experience of my life. I worked there for two and a half years as a motion graphics artist. (here is an example of my work http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A5TCOYk4Cg )  I just moved to Houston and am attending a 4-year school (i have a two year degree) If you want to work in television you must climb your way to the top. Its exceptionally hard to get a job in a large market without a couple of years under your belt regardless of your degree (which will help immensely by the way) If you want to work at a production or advertising house then get an internship at one and bust your ass try to make it into a permanent gig. This is the coolest industry to work in so don't give up!! Its a lot of fun and never gets old if you love it. So to answer your question you most deffinitly did not waste 4 yrs. 

   Posted 6 months ago # Login to Send PM

6. faqvideo
   Member

   

   Experience in video editing is something you acquire with daily work, preferably on a deadline.

   I agree with internship idea. Try it one day a week without pay - it'll come back with experience and possibly a job.

   There many charities around, they will let you do some occasional production for them for free. You need to go through hours of hard work to be able to edit quick.

   And on more thing, very important. Editing is happening in your head, not in the Final Cut Pro or tape-to-tape editing suite

   FAQ Video

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7. AnnouncerJoe
   Member

   

   I've been in-and-out of this business for 20 years, just can't stay away which is probably suggestion #1... if you like it, DON'T QUIT!  Donald Trump was once bankrupt, Bill Gates worked out of his basement and Ted Turner was once fired.  Success stories all have one thing in common - they kept at it!

   #2 Be realistic, putting together a box office blockbuster right now is a pipe dream... putting together a how-to for YouTube is a decent weekend project... ya gotta start somewhere...

   #3 Find a niche, and run with it!  I actually put together a very lucrative podcasting business by producing Little League baseball games.  My broadcast career focused on the sports programs of local high schools... it's funny, this world wide Internet has allowed me to concentrate on small niche interest groups that don't get covered by mainstream media.  I'm actually coming back to video editing right now because my next "Niche Product" in my sports podcasting biz is a pay-for-coverage (sponsored) sports cast/featured story.

   It all depends on what you want to do.. I have one friend who video tapes for the local speedway on weekends - doesn't sound like much but he shoots from 7p-11p on Sat nite, then edits a master DVD on Sunday while watching TV... then sells 40 copies (regular subsribers) @ $20 per... EVERY WEEK!!!

   Best of luck

   Joe

   Posted 6 months ago # Login to Send PM

8. civilizedskies
   Member

   

    I too have a 4 year degree. I live in a small market and haven't been able to find anything! I'm now in debt, working retail since school and want to go back to school for a year. needless to say I forgot what I DID learn which is very little and I'm nowhere near what employers want skill wise. I'm boxed out.

   Posted 6 months ago # Login to Send PM

9. chrisColorado
   Member

   

   Hey zeta1983!

   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.

   I know lynda.com 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.

   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.  

   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!

   Good Luck!!

   Posted 5 months ago # Login to Send PM

10. Disccentralnet
    Member

    

    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.

    Hang in there. 

    Posted 3 months ago # Login to Send PM

11. Ryan3078
    Member

    

    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.

    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.

    Posted 2 months ago # Login to Send PM

12. grinner
    Member

    

    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.

    I moved my family to five states in as many years, salray-climbin' and dream-chasin'.

    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.

    Posted 2 months ago # Login to Send PM

13. ChosenList
    Member

    

    Check out http://www.ChosenList.com 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.

    Posted 2 months ago # Login to Send PM

14. chrisColorado
    Member

    

    I taught myself web design during my last semester of college and now have a VERY WELL 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.

    Besides, what is education for? TO TEACH YOURSELF HOW TO LEARN and more importantly, THAT YOU CAN LEARN ANYTHING YOU WANT!

    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.

    Posted 2 months ago # Login to Send PM

15. robgrauert
    Member

    

     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.

    Posted 2 months ago # Login to Send PM

16. chrisColorado
    Member

    

    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.

    Go for it Rob! Lincoln was looked down on for being a country kid.

    Posted 2 months ago # Login to Send PM

17. peachydingo
    Member

    

    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 www.lynda.com.

    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.

    Posted 2 weeks ago # Login to Send PM

18. birdcat
    Member

    

    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.

    I realize this is a little late but the advice still holds.

    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).

    Posted 2 weeks ago # Login to Send PM

19. robgrauert
    Member

    

     What's CIS, IT, MIS, and EE. Pardon my ignorance. I can't know everything :)

    Posted 2 weeks ago # Login to Send PM

20. birdcat
    Member

    

    What's CIS, IT, MIS, and EE. Pardon my ignorance. I can't know everything :)

    CIS = Computer & Information Science (or as mentioned above: Computer Information Systems - basically computer programming)

    IT = Information Technology (programming, network, security, hardware, etc...)

    MIS = Management & Information Science (management of programmers & programming)

    EE = Electrical Engineering (people who design & build computer chips)

    Posted 2 weeks ago # Login to Send PM

21. Ryan3078
    Member

    

     I would NOT recommend CIS, IT, MIS or anything like that as a future ocupation.

    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...

    Posted 2 weeks ago # Login to Send PM

22. birdcat
    Member

    

    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.

    Posted 2 weeks ago # Login to Send PM

23. Ryan3078
    Member

    

     Is this what you have noticed in your area, or is it nationwide?

    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.

    Top 10 Fast Growing Jobs thru 2014

    1. Network systems & data communication analysts
    2. Home health aides
    3. Physician assistants
    4. Computer software engineers, applications
    5. Medical assistants
    6. Computer software engineers, systems software
    7. Database administrators
    8. Diagnostic medical sonographers
    9. Network & computer systems administrators
    10. Hazardous materials removal workers

    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?

    Posted 2 weeks ago # Login to Send PM

24. 4ca
    Member

    

    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.

    Posted 2 weeks ago # Login to Send PM

25. birdcat
    Member

    

    I have read trade publication after trade pub - They all say that higher paying IT related jobs in the US are on the decline.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Posted 2 weeks ago # Login to Send PM

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