Would your studio hire me?

[JustinPhelps]

Greetings fellow GearSlutz-

First off, let me get you my life's 2 cents. My name is Justin Phelps. I'm a senior at Grand Island Northwest High here in Nebraska (No Nebraska jokes please!!! )

I've been active in music and theater all my life. Playing trumpet, piano/keyboard, singing baritone, and writing music. Over the past 2 years I've put together my own modest home studio consisting of:
Korg Triton Extreme 88
Korg D1600 MKII
SCA J99 pre
Peluso CEMC-6 mic
Plus monitors, and several other mics.

Since I am obviously graduating this year, I must now be setting my career and educational goals. But I am at a serious halt in my choices. I can go the traditional schooling route at a four year university, pay through the nose for a degree at a specialized recording school, or gain first hand experience at a studio.

...Cutting to the chase, I'm looking for a studio in ANY state that would be willing to hire me. Obviously, I have no real-life experience working in a studio, but I can provide graphic design services to help justify hiring me. I currently work at Chief Industries, Inc. doing computer support and graphic design. I am proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and fluent in the Corel Creative Collection. I can provide customers cd cover services, produce advertisements, create logos, and I also make a mean cup of coffee . I also own a Canon GL2 and do video editing as another hobby. I'd also like to add that I plan to work someday as a producer.

Depending on the location of the studio, I would like to take other recording/entain. business classes or education at a workshop/school at my own cost to help speed up my learning.

I am prepared to give the studio and my career everything I have to offer and I have excellent people skills.

If you'd like my resume or a sample recording/graphic work, feel free to contact me via forum, private message, email, or telephone.

Thanks for your time and consideration!

Justin Phelps
2532 N. North Rd.
Grand Island, NE 68803
308-381-7911
phelpsjr@charter.net

[JustinPhelps]

APOHStudios-

Thanks for the kind words and sound advice!

Although I've never worked in a studio, I've job shadowed two studios here in Nebraska (There aren't that many!). I've never ran a full analog board, besides just briefly touching one at Startracker Studios in Lincoln. I completely understand where you're coming from.

Thanks again for your help!! I appreciate it!

Justin

[EarCandy]

Luck is preparation meeting opportunity!!

[JustinPhelps]

Very true EarCandy! Thanks!

Justin

[filterayok]

i say screw the four year school---thats four years you could be kissing REAL professional's asses, and saving a shitload of money----be prepared to do a lot of "being quiet" and making coffee, the only thing you should say is "sounds great man." Then if you stick around long enough and people like you, you wait until a position looks available, and then you say "hey i've been DOING this job for free for months, how 'bout paying me to do it now...you like me, you trust me, and i know all the ins and outs of the studio..." hopefully it will be less then a year...it took me 8 months, and i showed up at least 5 days a week... but DEFINATELY have a plan ---know EXACTLY what position your after, and let it be known to those you slave for...so many interns i meet have NO idea what they wanna do, or unrealistic means of achieving those goals....so def. have a plan! peece

[ERJ]

Justin,

First of all you have a music background which helps alot. You have a willingness to do "whatever it takes" and in this business that is a part of the battle. This business is about who you know and what you know. I would suggest calling up your local president of the NARAS (www.naras.org)/Grammy chapter in your state and ask them if they know of anyone who is willing to allow you to intern with them. I would also look on the ssl site (www.solidstatelogic.com) and find out what studios are in your area that carry ssl boards. I would ask to speak to the owner and if you can't get a hold of him I would get a meeting with the studio manager. Tell of your desire to learn and get some time on the board. Offer to answer phones, clean (cleaning is always a big deal), offer to learn how to zero out the board and be an "assistant" even if you're not on the session at first at least you'll learn what happens before and after a session. The thing is creating a relationship with people around you so that you can learn as much as you can and eventually be trusted to assist on a session and maybe run some demo sessions and that'll get some "console time" under your belt.

I would also go to AES san franciso this year 2006! I'm actually one of the people speaking on the producers panel. You can network their and also sign up for the student mentor sessions. Network your butt off and after you get some time under your belt as an assistant you can start going to the grammy show and networking for jobs there at the after parties.

Good places to network for jobs and get more learning experience are:
AES (Audio Engineers Society) www.aes.org
Namm (National Association of Music Merchants) www.namm.com
Remix Hotel (held by remix magazine) www.remixhotel.com
Musikmesse (German NAMM Type Show) musik.messefrankfurt.com

Believe it or not you can also go to film festival that have audio manufacturers as sponsors and exhibitors such as:
Sundance Film Festival www.sundance.org
Skip City (Japanese version of Sundance) www.skipcity-dcf.jp/

Alot of the company CEO's and Audio engineers are just hanging out itching to tell you about their new product and believe me for the most part you'll find out they actually will help you in your career by giving advice and if they like you, connecting you with people.

Well, there are alot of other things but what I would suggest is be honest, call everyone! and then everyone else and ask for a chance, do well when you get that chance and learn as much as you can. I think that if you keep the spirit you already have you will make it in this business.

Well til next time!
CHEERS!

[AdamJay]

i might need an intern after i build the new place this summer. (Indianapolis)
not a big facility, but experience is experience. even if its just for a couple weeks.
and i might be able to provide my guest room.

PM me if you are interested.

[JustinPhelps]

Thanks for the great advice everyone!! Although I do live in NE so keep in mind that my connections get very small with any "local" studios.

Thanks again!!!!!!
Justin

[The Byre]

Like I stated, you are one of thousands who try to enter the music industry as an engineer. Quite honestly, although I like your get-up-and-go attitude, you do not seem to have taken a long, hard look at the market and at the skills you have to offer to the market. As the man above mentioned, you have not listed your relevant training. ProTools? Soundscape? Radar? Musical training? Computer technology and programming? Computer Networking? Electronics?

I wish you the best of luck and hope you find what you are looking for.