Hi Everyone, Not everyone that enters this industry does it the same way, some through school, others through the university of hard knocks, I graduated out of university of hard knocks. I am having the hardest time trying to connect with people, it seems that I need a list of skills longer than a surgeons qualifications, FCP. Premiere, AVID, Pro-tools, DVD Studio Pro, Blender, and 10 000 other skills. I do not, for one simple reason, I did not have the funds to purchase hardware capable of running a million forms of NLE, I have 12 years television news video editing experience, here in South Africa, there are very few broadcasters, and private shops, mostly the crew are single owners using friends and loved ones as the rest of.. Recently I purchased an Apple MacBook Pro laptop, with FCP X, self taught myself, and for what, as I do not have the 10 years of experience in the 3 systems, Adobe, Avid, and Apple, and I do not have a showreel, law forbids me from having copies of my work, this haunts me. Look it is simple, I need a job, preferably in the USA, I am prepared to sell the car, and move, I have loads to offer, I am so dedicated, no question I am the best editor you would ever have, I do not wish to shoot, just edit, I love editing, I have a disability that prevents walking long distance, hence the no shooting, studio directing, studio sound, camera ops, autocue, anything and everything studio based, I have done it. Is there anyone out there that can help, I have 2 people in the US that can vouch for my skills and dedication, that will be willing to confirm I am not a weak person, I might not have had the most stellar career, I made the best out of what was on offer. Please can you help.. Justine
Post-Production : Assisting new people to industry by Justine-Paula Robilliard
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Perhaps you can find some one in your area with a digital camera and start training your self in digital editing. Store all your footage in an on line memory bank such as stage 32. There's an idea Stage 32 footage editors???? Thinking ..... thinking..... ok
What is that?
I have final cut pro x and a mac laptop, the problem is that I do not have anything to "hone" my skills on...Cyberlink is most definitely in the class of sub consumer grade.
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Windows movie makers are cool. They have a few free versions but I can never seem to find the one in all program yet? Perhaps one day...
Well, I would encourage you to check out Lightworks. That is the video editor I use and it is great! They have a really nice free version as well as a subscription service and one where you can buy the software. It allows you to be able to have other advanced features of the software if you do this. Here is a link if you are interested. http://www.lwks.com/
Justine I wish I could. Take whatever insight the bullies give you and weed our their harsh words. I strongly believe that there is never a reason for insult. That tears down. It doesn't build up. I will pray that my God will help you find the work you need in the location that is best for you. Angel
Justine I don't know what the business is like in your country, but as with many other industries it's a business of contacts, who you know and who knows you. Check Meetup.com and other organizations and see if there are local meetings of people in the industry. Go to Adobe.com and Creativecow.com and join the community and learn about the issues people have editing. you'll make contact with other editors and that could lead to something. To get a job in the U.S. is tough. Like most countries you need to have a sponsor or a job waiting for you. Try Elance.com for getting work remotely. Why can't you make a showreel? I've never heard of it being illegal. If you are assembling samples to get work that is not the same as selling or giving away copyrighted material. In any event, you can always tell people your credits and explain the situation.
Hi Brett, the problem is that I have only ever worked for the national broadcaster, having copies of my work, in a showreel would be in conflict with South African Law, as the broadcaster is the holder of the material, and my contract did not allow for any copies to be made. As a freelancer, it is assumed that I had other clients, that would allow the use of material for "showreels", I only ever had the 1 client, the national broadcaster, so no material is available. This is a problem. It is simple really, yes I need a sponsor, why not do the right thing and help, ask around, see if someone can help, look it would help so so much if I could visit for a month, spend as much time as possible shadowing, observing, then at night, re-edit the work, so that I see and use to re-inforce my work, then if I am cutting the mustard, lets talk again...Surely this is possible, ok, not the done thing, but hell, that is old, let's try something new, go on give it a try, you might just find the next best thing, life is worth the risk....I would not do anything to bring negative, I just want to shine..please!!
Justine I would check into the ability to use clips of your work. Who told you it was illegal? As far as coming the U.S. for a month, that is a great idea. Contact as many people as you can who live in the area you'll be visiting. I would suggest the major cities, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, etc. If you go to Atlanta I can put you in touch with someone at Turner Network Television. In L.A. there are so many tv stations, independent production copanies, etc you could visit but I would setup visits before you even leave. People get busy, forget, etc. I live here and am happy to meet and introduce you around, but as with everyone I know we're all busy ourselves truing to make a living, so may not be available all the time. Let me know once you've made contacts with some others and we can talk more.
using clips from projects that you have worked on is standard industry practice. NOTE: make sure you specify WHAT you did for the shot ( DP, editor, PA, producer, color, sound... whatever )... and two, make sure your production/post contracts do NOT stipulate that you cannot use clips. All my contracts as a paid position stat that I CAN use clips for demo purposes. Also note: I NEVER show a clip from a film unless i've cleared it in advance ( via contract and review from the producer/owner ) and I NEVER show a lip from a project before its released to the public. But, once a project is released and/or I have approval I use them for demos of my work.
Hey Justine, We may be just what you are seeking. I invite you to check out my company, Maxima Vision Films at our site at www.maximavisionsproductions.com. If you can get yourself here and provide yourself with a place to live while getting started with us, we may very well be able to help you jump start your career in the US
May you rock and succeed beyond your wildest dreams, Justine. Have faith and keep trying. The harder a success comes, the sweeter it gets. My best wishes - Hans, www.hansyoga.com
Hi Justine, wishing you the best of luck and all success. May all your wishes come true.
Surely in this great big planet of ours, there is a person that can just do the right thing, and offer a short "internship" of sorts, I use "" as I am not a student at this point. One of the problems is that sometimes we enter the community, the job from an obtuse angle, and this needs to be accepted and often encouraged. I want to learn, the more I know, the more I can do, and hopefully with knowledge, find contacts, and create work, if this site is to succeed, what better advert than the impossible being made possible, think about it, it is not that hard, just someone, 1 person can change the world, and I know you are out there...I am worth the effort, really!!
Justine What happened with Dr. Maxwell? That sounded like exactly what you want. If it's too difficult to travel there, then you're best bet is volunteering to work on other people's short films or at your local tv station. In the US we have rules about internships and usually you have to be in school to qualify. I'm sure companies do it informally, but I don't think many of them post here, so you have to seek them out. I got my first job by renting a camera from a video post facility. They needed a sales person (not fun) but it quickly turned into editing and camera work. I have also volunteered on many short films. Look up "Father Xmas" with Dakota Fanning. It was her first film and now she is a popular young actress. If it were me I would keep knocking on doors and ask for what you want. My asking people to 'do the right thing' I think it can make people uncomfortable. They don't want to feel pressured to hire you. That doesn't work. You have to present yourself by what you can offer in exchange for what you would like to learn. Try looking up TV shows that you'd like to work on, contact the producers and tell them your story. Just check the credits and you'll find someone to contact.
Hey Bret, What is meant by your post; "What happened with Dr Maxwell?" I am sill keeping on keeping on, probably like everyone else. If you checked out my company, Maxima Vision Film's site at www.maximavisionsproductions.com you would realize we have an academy of cinema/television attached to our production company. The internship is an avenue by which an individual who wants to learn the industry but has limited resources can in a tradeoff for being an intern. SImple as that
Dr. Maxwell You made it very clear what you can do for Justine. The reason I asked what happened with you is you put out a nice offer yet she's still looking for someone to help her. Did she ever contact you? As you may also see, many people on here are looking for help, contacts, etc and when someone extends the perfect opportunity like you did I don't get it if she doesn't take you up on it. Bret