Internship Questions.....LONG POST!

[funkdrmr]

Sorry for the long post that's about to come, but I think it's necessary to get any assurance that I'm on the right path. I've written this thing 3 times before I posted it, and this is the best way I think I can convey my drive, dedication, and questions in order to be answered the best:

I just turned 27 yesterday, was brought up in a home where music was an extremely important part of life. Started playing piano when I was 5, drums when I was 8, saxophone at 13. I'm fairly educated in music theory, I know how to tune drums well but I'm still willing to learn from people that have more experience than me. I guess what I'm getting at in this part is music has just always been a part of my life that I'll never be able to let go of.

I had my first experience playing in a studio was when I was 10 or 11 (won a talent contest, 1 free hour of recording was part of the prize). My first step in there, and I knew I wanted to "do that" when I got older. A few years later I recorded a couple more times in that same studio. Jump forward about 12 years: Recently my former band spent a few sessions on our demo in a semi-pro studio with ProTools HD, Control|24, Avalon, Neve, Neumann, etc.... ANOTHER great experience from both my position as a player playing in the studio, and the fact that the gear was great to see working in action. The engineer (now a good friend of mine) was EXTREMELY cool to talk to about everything, and answered a ton of questions for me. I soaked it all up like a sponge.

Trying to get to the point (sorry). I joined the Navy 9 years ago, and I'm about to get out. I've done very well in my time in, as I'm extremely driven in whatever I pursue. I have about 9 months left before I'm out, and even though I'm really good with computers & networking, I still don't see how I'm going to be happy without music around me as often as possible. This forum along with the homerec.com bbs has fed me CONSTANTLY full of info that I just can't stop reading about. When I say can't stop, I seriously mean I'm on these boards and others probably 6 hours a day minimum. The info I've found has helped me buy gear, taught me things I never knew, and even led me in the right direction for how I'm going about recording bands out here live (I've done 3 so far with good results!).

One thing I've noticed (and undertand fully), is that most interns at studios don't get paid. What I'm thinking now, is "hey, I have a job for 9 more months....why not intern at a nice studio to see if I can get something going when I already have income coming in?"

I found a studio I'm interested in; the best one out here AFAIK. The gear list includes 2 studios (1 with 112 channels of SSL 9000J and the other with 92 channels of SSL9000J)....I think that says enough. The outboard gear, mic collection and facilities seem to match up to the quality of gear & experience of other studios with nice consoles like that.

My question is....am I out in left field thinking that this place needs an intern like me? I'd work for free, I'm punctual, I'll spend every waking spare moment I have in this place if needed. All I want is to prove myself, stay quiet unless it's time to talk (i have good people / customer service skills), and be able to learn from someone that really knows what they're doing. I'm thinking one of 3 things could happen from this experience:

1. I could be asked to stay when I get out, getting hired as a 2nd engineer or something......at least continue training & eventually gaining some sort of position.

2. I could gain the trust needed to really start working but have no chance of getting hired on, however contacts and work ethic can go a long way. These contacts might possibly help me get my foot in the door at a studio elsewhere to get hired.

3. At the very least, hopefully I can gain some information to open my own studio with in the future, and produce the results that I (and of course clients) would be happy with.

What's really getting at me, is how should I go about asking for the internship? There's no info on their site, all the people in the music scene out here go to the more semi-pro studio so there's no "in" there.

I'm thinking of just showing up in person, as I just can't see a place of this caliber taking a simple phone call or email request for internship seriously. Am I right?

Sorry again about the long post......I hope it all makes sense to someone!

[James Lugo]

That's a tough call, just showing up may not be the best but it's easy to blow people of on the phone or email. Be aggresive. As a studio owner I will tell you, people contact me all the time wanting to work for free. Be persistant!

[funkdrmr]

Originally Posted by James 'LA' Lugo

That's a tough call, just showing up may not be the best but it's easy to blow people of on the phone or email. Be aggresive. As a studio owner I will tell you, people contact me all the time wanting to work for free. Be persistant!

Agressive....persistant? If I get blown off, just wait a couple of weeks and try again? I'm already gearing myself up for having to do that, but I'm really hoping I don't have to.

I'm always sincere and I can usually expect to be taken seriously, but I know I'm opening a can of worms thinking about doing this. Just taking into consideration the fact that a lot of people in this business are flaky, I can understand why I wouldn't be taken seriously for a few tries.

The one thing I might have on my side is that I'm in Hawaii, so I'm willing to bet that there are considerably less people trying to get their foot in the door on something like this.

[James Lugo]

There are some gearslutz in your neck of the woods. Also, I did a stint of active duty, I had a hard time adjusting to civilian life. People aren't always 'squared away' in civilian life. Good luck man!

[funkdrmr]

Thanks! I know there are a few slutz out here. They don't come out of the woodwork too often, though!

<rant>
I hear ya about the civilian life stuff, but I'm ready. I don't know how long you've been out, but this new "loveable, huggable, but still work you 120 hours a week including 3 overnight duty nights....oh by the way your job isn't important today, clean this" Navy has worn me down.

I honestly can't wait to be out & focus my attention to things that are important to ME. I've done my time, served it well.....it's MY time now!

</rant....back to my regularly scheduled novel of a question!>

[James Lugo]

I've been out for 10 years now. Jonathan Star is out there, so is Todd Rundgren. The studio can be similair to the military, hurry up and wait...lol

J

[chrisgraff]

I'd be careful about just showing up. You can't predict whether the manager/owner has time to talk. Show up uninvited a second time and you'll be shown the door.

Email is better because the boss can give it some thought when he has the time.

The goal of the first email should be an invitation. Tell him briefly what you've done, and that you're seeking an unpaid internship position. You could also mention that you have transportaion and references.

Then the pitch....

"May I send you my resume?"

Good luck. Sounds like a great opportunity for you.

[funkdrmr]

Originally Posted by James 'LA' Lugo

I've been out for 10 years now. Jonathan Star is out there, so is Todd Rundgren. The studio can be similair to the military, hurry up and wait...lol

J

e...my specialty!

Originally Posted by chrisgraff

I'd be careful about just showing up. You can't predict whether the manager/owner has time to talk. Show up uninvited a second time and you'll be shown the door.

Email is better because the boss can give it some thought when he has the time.

The goal of the first email should be an invitation. Tell him briefly what you've done, and that you're seeking an unpaid internship position. You could also mention that you have transportaion and references.

Then the pitch....

"May I send you my resume?"

Good luck. Sounds like a great opportunity for you.

Thanks chrisgraff. I'm not sure what I'd put on a resume, though. Guess I should work on that a bit.

[Igotsoul4u]

I think you are most definetly going in the right direction. I started my career the same way. I was introduced to a major studio manager by a friend and basically told him I would work for free and do whatever the studio needed me to do. I had minimal audio experience. It's rare that a studio won't take someone on that wants to work for free. As long as you don't come off as being weird, dumb, sketcy, or too yappy, most places will put you on. To get started, I would call the studio and ask to speak with someone that deals with hiring and internships. If you can't talk to someone right away tell them you will call back. Don't leave a message, it only has a 15% chance of actually getting taken seriously unless they really really need someone. Showing up unannounced does not seem like a good idea to me unless you are just dropping off a resume. Major studios days are very full and squeezing you in unannounced isn't likely. I would call and set something up. If you manage to speak with somone or get an interview, don't go on about all the audio exerience you have had, focus on your work ethic and people skills. Whenever I hear someone going on about how they have done all sorts of engineering and producing I immediatly think the person thinks they are overqualified for the job and might resent the mundane tasks that they will ultimatly be spending all their time on. I also see them as someone who doesn't know their place in the big picture. Obviously it is good to say that you have experience, just be careful how you talk about it.

When I got put on I worked 3 to 5 days a week for 3 months and got hired when one of the guys quit because I was already there and knew the system. There are 3 basic elements that will almost gaurantee an oppurtunity to get hired by the studio; 1.Being able to fit in socially with the rest of the employees. If the staff likes you, then they will root for you when there is a position open 2. Doing the job thoroughly and properly. Clean that bathroom like the Queen of England is about to use it. 3. Showing dedication by spending a good chunk of time at the studio. The guys that show up on an irregular basis or work only 1 or 2 days a week will not be counted on and incorperated in the daily operation of the studio.
Anyway. Hope this helps.

[funkdrmr]

Originally Posted by Igotsoul4u

I think you are most definetly going in the right direction. I started my career the same way. I was introduced to a major studio manager by a friend and basically told him I would work for free and do whatever the studio needed me to do. I had minimal audio experience. It's rare that a studio won't take someone on that wants to work for free. As long as you don't come off as being weird, dumb, sketcy, or too yappy, most places will put you on. To get started, I would call the studio and ask to speak with someone that deals with hiring and internships. If you can't talk to someone right away tell them you will call back. Don't leave a message, it only has a 15% chance of actually getting taken seriously unless they really really need someone. Showing up unannounced does not seem like a good idea to me unless you are just dropping off a resume. Major studios days are very full and squeezing you in unannounced isn't likely. I would call and set something up. If you manage to speak with somone or get an interview, don't go on about all the audio exerience you have had, focus on your work ethic and people skills. Whenever I hear someone going on about how they have done all sorts of engineering and producing I immediatly think the person thinks they are overqualified for the job and might resent the mundane tasks that they will ultimatly be spending all their time on. I also see them as someone who doesn't know their place in the big picture. Obviously it is good to say that you have experience, just be careful how you talk about it.

When I got put on I worked 3 to 5 days a week for 3 months and got hired when one of the guys quit because I was already there and knew the system. There are 3 basic elements that will almost gaurantee an oppurtunity to get hired by the studio; 1.Being able to fit in socially with the rest of the employees. If the staff likes you, then they will root for you when there is a position open 2. Doing the job thoroughly and properly. Clean that bathroom like the Queen of England is about to use it. 3. Showing dedication by spending a good chunk of time at the studio. The guys that show up on an irregular basis or work only 1 or 2 days a week will not be counted on and incorperated in the daily operation of the studio.
Anyway. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the input! Trust me when I say I had a hard time writing down all the stuff in the first post talking about myself. I was taught young how to be humble, and although I grasp things quickly, take what I do seriously, and am very driven, I definitely understand where I'm at in the big picture. Thanks for pointing out what I need to focus on, as I could easily focus on the wrong stuff & come off in a bad way.

Cleaning bathrooms.....if there's nothing else I've learned in the Navy, I GUARANTEE I can clean a bathroom clean enough to eat off the floor

[James Lugo]

another thought...

I've had interns that were willing to hang around for endless hours and watch me tune vocals or edit drums and some interns wanted to split if it wasn't exciting or they were being used directly. The guy who hung in there is my main engineer now. Hang around even when it's dull, which it can get and don't make production comments during a session. That will get you out as quick as you can say swab the deck...lol

Also, the other guys post on not just showing up is the way to go. Email first.

[funkdrmr]

Well, it isn't at the studio I originally was going to go for, but it's an opportunity I couldn't pass up. The studio my band has recorded in out here had an opening, so I called them up!

It's a studio / practice facility. I start Monday with answering phones, booking sessions, cleaning stuff up. Hopefully start to get my hands dirty in the near future moving mics & all that good stuff for the enginner. Manager & engineer are both really cool & laid back.

On the slutty side, this place is going to be a great place to be a sponge. PT|HD, Control24, Avalon, 1073's, U87, 414B's, R122, Genelec monitors........there's more I can't remember off the top of my head, but I'm stoked!

Oh.........and it's a PAYING GIG!!!!