Career advice desperately needed

[masterblaster]

I'm in my mid 30's and could really use some guidance. A brief background: started as a runner then moved onto assistant at some big music studios in the late 90's. In 2001, got a job at a small studio where their entire business was doing radio spots. They actually had only one client (an agency) that supplied all their work. Did that for a few years making 40-50K per year. Now, for the past few years I am doing the same thing (hard sell auto spots) for the same client, working out of my home.

I can practically do these spots in my sleep, but I am worried about my job security. Recently my workload has decreased substantially. I do augment my income by renting time out in my home studio. But honestly, that income is not reliable either.

Does anyone have advice on how I can parlay my skills in doing these auto spots to find different, well-paying work? I am willing to take the time and teach myself something, but I have no idea what direction to go. I am in a major city (miami). Love working from home.

I really appreciate anyone who has taken the time to read this and offer me any suggestions.

[gsilbers]

sound recordist for reality TV shows in miami. not a bad gig.

post prodction for radion and TV. in a post studio , video post evanbeter.

miami has the "turisti" intl crowd. usually spots there are done in NY as its headquarter are there and make "regional" spots for the south or miami.
but no reason why not to hire local talent.


also, start listening to regeton or start watching "mun2" or mtv3.
lots of $$$ there.

as for learning, learn video post. laybacks, duplication, video stuff.

[masterblaster]

<< sound recordist for reality TV shows in miami. not a bad gig. >>

Interesting. Do you know the qualifications? Is it easy to score a gig like this? Starting pay?


<< post prodction for radion and TV. in a post studio , video post evanbeter. >>

Any leads on how to apply for this sort of job?


<< as for learning, learn video post. laybacks, duplication, video stuff. >>

Not sure how to teach this to myself. I can't afford to intern.

If anyone else cares to comment I wold really appreciate it. Like I mentioned, I'm in my mid-30's. I have a mortgage and this is getting scary.

[Brent Hahn]

Check your PM's.

[gsilbers]

Originally Posted by masterblaster

<< sound recordist for reality TV shows in miami. not a bad gig. >>

Interesting. Do you know the qualifications? Is it easy to score a gig like this? Starting pay?


<< post prodction for radion and TV. in a post studio , video post evanbeter. >>

Any leads on how to apply for this sort of job?


<< as for learning, learn video post. laybacks, duplication, video stuff. >>

Not sure how to teach this to myself. I can't afford to intern.

If anyone else cares to comment I wold really appreciate it. Like I mentioned, I'm in my mid-30's. I have a mortgage and this is getting scary.

sorry, really dont know how my frends score those gigs in miami. craiglist maybe? alumni conections?

to apply for the post gigs, maybe finding out where they are 1st. i only know of the latin comunity ones in miami.

as for video post. i was refering to video stuff like frame rates, types of tapes( d5, digibetas, beta SPetc) , levels, procedures, OMFs, quicktime conversions, everything about HD (1080i/720) DVPrO , 24P vs 23.98fps, open/close blacks, laybacks.
to be honest, the studio im in started doing profesional video post, which i didnt know nothing about and there was this old book in the bathroom about video post i happened to find and everyday i read a little. talked to the video editors and learnt lots of stuff that helped in the audio side

[georgia]

This (POST PRODUCTION) is a very hard business to break into. Snce you have bills and obligations, going back to train or securing an internship position is probably right out. What you probably need to do is re-invent yourself a little.
First off an assumption: You have chops, some business capability, and an audio studio that can handle basic audio and post services.

Look around and see what capabilities you can offer clients.

• tracking
• mixing
• dialogue recording
• editing
• CD authoring
• DVD authoring
• sound design
• web audio & video
• etc etc

Are there any others?

GO through your overhead and work our a cost of doing business

• house payments
• equipment leases
• insurance
• electrical
• phone
• internet
• credit cards
• car payment
• media and supplies
• food
• clothing
• travel

Other costs as well. Now how much does it cost to "leave the lights on" and do nothing. How much are you going to charge and how many hours do you have to work to net ZERO, to make money, to make a living....

Once you've done a first pass on these...

Then, look around in a 50 mile radius of your studio and see who your competition is. Who are they? What do they offer? How much do they charge? How booked are they? Who is their client base?

Can you even compete head to head? Are your rates in line with the area, or too low, or too high?

Ok, so you can compete... There is a place for you. What place is it? What nitch is empty? Where can you get a foothold?

Then Answer this...

How are you different from the competition?
How are you beter? Are you competitive? rates? capabilities ?
WHY DO I NEED TO HIRE YOU?
WHY DO I WANT TO USE YOUR SERVICES?
WHAT MAKES YOU SO SPECIAL?

Now, put together a business plan that makes sense...
Brand yourself and your studio.
Let people know you are out there.
Offer unique services along with the traditional studio services...
Find a hole in the business that needs filling and fill it. GO out and talk to potential clients.. What do they need? What do they want? Do Research and offer them something that they don't even know they needed. Make a business case for them.

Develop a marketing and sales plan.
Do grass roots sales and marketing.

ok so you've just spent a bunch of long days sorting this all out....

Now look at the studio. Is it professional? Will clients like to come to your place? Is it neat and clean? Is the technology adquate for the task?

Make sure your place is up to speed professionally.


Now, one other thing... whodo you know in the business? Is there anyone you might partner up with? 2 heads are better than one? MAybe another small studio and you can join forces and increase sales and capability, while reducing overhead... MAybe not. It's something you should consider.

Another option is to go to all the other studios and talk to them about providing low cost subcontracting. This may or may not work as well depending on the various workloads and booking percentages, but again, its' worth a try.


hope this helps

cheers
geo

[masterblaster]

Thanks for all the food for thought and leads. I sincerely appreciate everyone that has taken the time to respond.

[masterblaster]

I feel very inspired after reading your post, Georgia! It all comes down to me getting out of my comfort zone and formulating a solid business plan. I guess I got spoiled since some days I could make over $1000 doing these simple spots. When the work slowed I panicked. I realize it's not good to have all of my eggs in 1 basket! I am very proud of my studio and skills, and now you've given me some great ideas to move forward.

Thanks again!

[berniebeaudry]

Originally Posted by georgia

This (POST PRODUCTION) is a very hard business to break into. Snce you have bills and obligations, going back to train or securing an internship position is probably right out. What you probably need to do is re-invent yourself a little.
First off an assumption: You have chops, some business capability, and an audio studio that can handle basic audio and post services.

Look around and see what capabilities you can offer clients.

• tracking
• mixing
• dialogue recording
• editing
• CD authoring
• DVD authoring
• sound design
• web audio & video
• etc etc

Are there any others?

GO through your overhead and work our a cost of doing business

• house payments
• equipment leases
• insurance
• electrical
• phone
• internet
• credit cards
• car payment
• media and supplies
• food
• clothing
• travel

Other costs as well. Now how much does it cost to "leave the lights on" and do nothing. How much are you going to charge and how many hours do you have to work to net ZERO, to make money, to make a living....

Once you've done a first pass on these...

Then, look around in a 50 mile radius of your studio and see who your competition is. Who are they? What do they offer? How much do they charge? How booked are they? Who is their client base?

Can you even compete head to head? Are your rates in line with the area, or too low, or too high?

Ok, so you can compete... There is a place for you. What place is it? What nitch is empty? Where can you get a foothold?

Then Answer this...

How are you different from the competition?
How are you beter? Are you competitive? rates? capabilities ?
WHY DO I NEED TO HIRE YOU?
WHY DO I WANT TO USE YOUR SERVICES?
WHAT MAKES YOU SO SPECIAL?

Now, put together a business plan that makes sense...
Brand yourself and your studio.
Let people know you are out there.
Offer unique services along with the traditional studio services...
Find a hole in the business that needs filling and fill it. GO out and talk to potential clients.. What do they need? What do they want? Do Research and offer them something that they don't even know they needed. Make a business case for them.

Develop a marketing and sales plan.
Do grass roots sales and marketing.

ok so you've just spent a bunch of long days sorting this all out....

Now look at the studio. Is it professional? Will clients like to come to your place? Is it neat and clean? Is the technology adquate for the task?

Make sure your place is up to speed professionally.


Now, one other thing... whodo you know in the business? Is there anyone you might partner up with? 2 heads are better than one? MAybe another small studio and you can join forces and increase sales and capability, while reducing overhead... MAybe not. It's something you should consider.

Another option is to go to all the other studios and talk to them about providing low cost subcontracting. This may or may not work as well depending on the various workloads and booking percentages, but again, its' worth a try.


hope this helps

cheers
geo

Georgia you are so generous with your considerable knowledge! I learn so much from every post you answer. Thanks!
Bernie

[Jay M]

MY situation isn't much different than Mastebalster. Thanks Georgia, that is a very helpful post for me also. I live in LA so I can't even imagine where to begin doing something that hasn't already been done here!

I will continue to watch this thread for more advice and inspiration.

thanks,
~Jay

[gsilbers]

in LA the issue is that craigliist and student films dont want to pay for sound.
as well as "the pilot thats gonna make" or the "film showing in-insert your artsy city here-" so you will get credit.

the other side are shows/film with budget that wont hire sound poeple without good expperice. little catch22.

but as most other jobs, its a lot about who u know, socialize and all that stuff kinda foreign for techy guys like me and others here i bet. of course there are difrent ways to socialize, meet directors, prodcers, filmakers in general as well as people that have studios who can hire you. relationships take time to fester, i go to my alumni's reunion to see people that one day will give me a job (and viceverssa).
I sign up for the gramys, AES, NAMM and Oscars as well as going to where there is filmakers involved. all this organizations put out pretty cool events like filmscore seminars, monday nights oscar winning documentaries.. and others. I keep meeting people or see them and in other events ill say hi. that sort of things. still, its pretty hard for me as it involves talking to strangers.
also, there are small groups that gather to talk about common things or maybe get involve in new projects/films etc. I found out about a few groups by freinds so i dont know how you can find those groups.. comunity outreach? (ot thats for drugs?)
well u get the idea.