Working in the USA: Intern/Assistant

neopotato · 6th July 2006

Hi Guys,

I know there are always a lot of pointless posts whining about intern/assistant positions; lack of availability, quality of duties, pay etc. Getting beyond that, I was wondering if anyone would consider taking on an assistant/intern from overseas and bother to go through with the immigration paper work for a hardworking young person who has some ability to support himself financially untill he is able to make money from recording.

I have completed a college degree at a conservatorium of music in Australia, which covered Music and Sound Engineering/Production topics. I currently work for an AV company doing mostly corporate functions, but I really, really want to work in the Recording Industry. I have a good understanding of how to operate gear, signal path etc, but I really need to get a method in the studio and would also like to learn to mix well.

Is this the kind of experience one would need to begin as an assistant?

I've been in the USA for a month on a holiday, and am coming to LA tomorow (6th July) and if anyone would be cool enough to want to see me or let me drop in my resume and showreel, I would very much appreciate it.

Failing that, maybe someone could tell me some good music clubs and other sights to see near to the Hollywood area.

Cheers

Matthew

neopotato · 7th July 2006

bump

At least tell me a good place to have a drink and see a good band around hollywood.

cheers

Matt

swan · 7th July 2006

having gone through a stint in the hollywood intern circuit, i would advise you against it completely. The competition and desperation is so crazy here, there is no real incentive for studios to promote anyone. I saw way to many guys blow 20 grand or whatever on an education at the Arizona Conservatory, then blow more money on a move to LA, then blow even more money on the ridiculous rent in hollywood, and after 6 months or so, barely promoted to a minimum wage runner while their debt climbs ever so higher.

It was great while it lasted, but I had to fight the other hungry interns just to get into sessions as a runner. With legendary hollywood studios in serious trouble and even closing, it's just not a good climate for the traditional "intern-runner-assistant-engineer" career path. Me and many of my friends have been much more successful doing our own recording and production with home/mobile rigs. There's lots of money and experience there, and we are able to get more slutty as we get more gigs...

There was a few of my friends who got into the biz in the traditional model, but only about 3 of them.

p.s. there's tons of places to see great bands and buy $8 beers in LA....

RKrizman · 7th July 2006

Check the LA Weekly for band listings. I like Harvelle's for blues, in Santa Monica, and I think Saturday Meshelle Ndegeocello (SP?) is at the very cool Temple Bar, also in SM. In Hollywood there's the Troubador, the infamous Viper Room. For blindingly fast-fingered fusion fony jazz there's the Baked Potato (always fun in a pyrotechnic jaw-dropping sort of way), and there's real jazz at the Jazz Bakery. If you remember Billy Mumy, he's playing at Rusty's saturday night on the Santa Monica pier.

I long ago gave up on the parade of wanna-be bands doing their 30 minute sets at the various clubs.

Did I mention Santa Monica?

And you need to find a good Brit or Aussie pub to watch World Cup on Sunday, right?

Have fun,

-R

6th July 2006	#1
neopotato Gear Head Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 60 Thread Starter	Working in the USA: Intern/Assistant Hi Guys, I know there are always a lot of pointless posts whining about intern/assistant positions; lack of availability, quality of duties, pay etc. Getting beyond that, I was wondering if anyone would consider taking on an assistant/intern from overseas and bother to go through with the immigration paper work for a hardworking young person who has some ability to support himself financially untill he is able to make money from recording. I have completed a college degree at a conservatorium of music in Australia, which covered Music and Sound Engineering/Production topics. I currently work for an AV company doing mostly corporate functions, but I really, really want to work in the Recording Industry. I have a good understanding of how to operate gear, signal path etc, but I really need to get a method in the studio and would also like to learn to mix well. Is this the kind of experience one would need to begin as an assistant? I've been in the USA for a month on a holiday, and am coming to LA tomorow (6th July) and if anyone would be cool enough to want to see me or let me drop in my resume and showreel, I would very much appreciate it. Failing that, maybe someone could tell me some good music clubs and other sights to see near to the Hollywood area. Cheers Matthew

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7th July 2006	#2
neopotato Gear Head Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 60 Thread Starter	bump At least tell me a good place to have a drink and see a good band around hollywood. cheers Matt

7th July 2006	#3
swan Gear Head Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 63	having gone through a stint in the hollywood intern circuit, i would advise you against it completely. The competition and desperation is so crazy here, there is no real incentive for studios to promote anyone. I saw way to many guys blow 20 grand or whatever on an education at the Arizona Conservatory, then blow more money on a move to LA, then blow even more money on the ridiculous rent in hollywood, and after 6 months or so, barely promoted to a minimum wage runner while their debt climbs ever so higher. It was great while it lasted, but I had to fight the other hungry interns just to get into sessions as a runner. With legendary hollywood studios in serious trouble and even closing, it's just not a good climate for the traditional "intern-runner-assistant-engineer" career path. Me and many of my friends have been much more successful doing our own recording and production with home/mobile rigs. There's lots of money and experience there, and we are able to get more slutty as we get more gigs... There was a few of my friends who got into the biz in the traditional model, but only about 3 of them. p.s. there's tons of places to see great bands and buy $8 beers in LA....

7th July 2006	#4
RKrizman Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Monica, CA Posts: 6,601	Check the LA Weekly for band listings. I like Harvelle's for blues, in Santa Monica, and I think Saturday Meshelle Ndegeocello (SP?) is at the very cool Temple Bar, also in SM. In Hollywood there's the Troubador, the infamous Viper Room. For blindingly fast-fingered fusion fony jazz there's the Baked Potato (always fun in a pyrotechnic jaw-dropping sort of way), and there's real jazz at the Jazz Bakery. If you remember Billy Mumy, he's playing at Rusty's saturday night on the Santa Monica pier. I long ago gave up on the parade of wanna-be bands doing their 30 minute sets at the various clubs. Did I mention Santa Monica? And you need to find a good Brit or Aussie pub to watch World Cup on Sunday, right? Have fun, -R