Corporate/Live work abroad..

[Sean TM]

I've been thinkIng about getting out of the states and going on a "working vacation" around this time next year.. I was thinking it'd be a good idea to go to a tourist destination like rio or costa rica and doing a/v for some hotel shows or something.. I know the obvious passport and try to learn some of the language.. But does anyone have any experience finding work in another country? How'd you get started, a google search? Finding local av companies? Or just go to the hotel websites? Any experience advice would be great..

[bishopthomas]

I knew a guy who does this every winter. I can't remember exactly where (Bahamas or something) or how he got started but every winter I think of him while I'm at home playing Nintendo and sleeping 'till noon. Let me know if you find out. I will try to dig up this guy's contact info and see if I can get some answers from him. Great thinking, way to be creative about staying busy during this bleek time of year. Good luck!

[DannyL]

You need to be VERY careful about contracts. Especially if you are working in a language other than your own. Even with a signed contract many bar owners, restauranteurs and hoteliers will try and cheat you. A common example is "we did not have such a good crowd." I have seen or heard of this in Jamaica, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Angola, Nigeria, Kenya, Israel, Morocco, India, South Korea, China and Indonesia.

It is difficult to balance the necessary distrust with optimism.

Danny

[Sean TM]

yeah i could see there being sketchiness...thats why for the first couple of years i would like to probably work for like an american hotel company or something so i can learn the town... im going to have to spend the next year learning either portugeuse or spanish thats for sure...there are alot of like work abroad programs but they are to like teach scuba diving or hiking...i was thinking about trying av companies but if they are like american crews...thats gonna be tough...thanks for the suggestions..keep em coming..

[Sean TM]

Originally Posted by DannyL

You need to be VERY careful about contracts. Especially if you are working in a language other than your own. Even with a signed contract many bar owners, restauranteurs and hoteliers will try and cheat you. A common example is "we did not have such a good crowd." I have seen or heard of this in Jamaica, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Angola, Nigeria, Kenya, Israel, Morocco, India, South Korea, China and Indonesia.

It is difficult to balance the necessary distrust with optimism.

Danny

hey danny your in sao paulo?!.. do you work in audio down there?...

[Jim vanBergen]

Sean,

I think Danny has the best insight for this, and I look forward to his next response.

FWIW, I have been fortunate enough to do a great deal of corporate work in the US, Europe, and South America, and have had sound designs of mine tour worldwide.

I have found it is best to be involved with a specific company or client who tours, and be their traveling designer or A1. This means I am paid by a US client working on a US contract with binding laws here in the USA as if I am working on US soil. I know some people who move to, or own a home, in a different country and develop relationships, but it's rare that a hotel or corporate group would suddenly need an A1 from the USA who does not speak the language or know the local scene.

Perhaps you do both, and that makes sense- but it's good you are doing homework before picking up and heading out of the USA "on work". If you are looking for a short term vacation that you can write off, I'd book meetings - possible interviews- for at least 1/3 to 1/2 of the days I'd be out of town. I have once or twice, been able to fly to a city I love for a three or four day working weekend, and take ONE day in the middle for myself.

Hope this helps!

JvB