[TheChariot]

I agree. The best method here is to find some of your own clients. Honestly, I would be doing that anyways whether I had steady assistant work or not, because it's a great deed for the studio, some extra $$ for you, more fun, and a chance to get some credits under your belt.

I've been an assistant for years and I've barely made any money doing that. Obviously, I work in a much smaller studio than you. The principle, however, remains the same.... you want to move up and have your own client in the future, I'd presume.

The old ways of "climbing the ladder" at the studio are much different now, even at bigger facilities. You have to make yourself more valuable as an individual in order to develop more sources of income and advance your career.

There are VERY few assistant/2nd engineers who do not need a supplemental side job to keep themselves financially solvent.... and most of those people don't have kids to support. My suggestion is to get a part time job and begin your career as a freelance engineer. Studios are having a harder and harder time getting ANY bookings nowadays, so it's a fools errand to wait your turn for an "extra" client to come along and be handed to you like in the old days.

Split up 3 ways: 1) day job 2) Assist when you can/when they have work 3) Get out there like the rest of us and find your own clients to bring into the studio. Perhaps bringing your own client there would help recover your back wages as well.

Don't be in the dumps. You're not approaching the end, but you are at a major crossroads and you should prepare for a true awakening: "working at a studio" is not as viable as is once was. But what's so scary about that? Use this sh!t experience to light a fire under your ass and start engineering your own projects.

Good luck to you.