Any video production jobs available in Cincinnati, OH?
- Thread starter RYBY
- Start date
thisiswells
Retired
Production companies don't really hire people in my experience. Most all work in the
film industry is performed by freelancers. As an example, not hardly a single show
on television is staffed by employees of the network. Normally the shows aren't even
produced by the network. Normally shows are produced by independant companies from L.A.
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in bigger projects by developing a skill
and being a specialisist in a support industry to a D.P. Examples of a freelance jobs could
be as a sound mixer, makup artist, assistant camera, grip, or production assistant. The
easiest way to get work is to develop relationships with the people that have work--so visit
local film screenings, coffeeshops, and other venues where fellow filmmakers and industry
people are likely to gather. Another place to look is your state film commission. Find the
people on the published crew roster in your area and bug the living daylights out of them
offering to work for free. Demonstrate that you have a skill and would be valuable to them,
and that you're not just looking for on-the-job training.
Build contacts=Get work.
Cold faxing your resume=Well, may the force be with you.
I will say anyone starting from scratch is definitely at a disadvantage in contrast to someone
who has a cousin whose mother's friend know this guy. etc.
However, that isn't to say all is lost. Sometime you just luck into things and there is no
explanation. Note: A good way to luck into things is to already have equipment for the
freelance jobs you are seeking. For example, if you already have sound equipment you
have an advantage in brokering a deal with a producer. You could say, well I know it
would cost you 200/Day to rent the equipment... Well, I already have the equipment
and I will work for free, IF you rent it from me. I have gotten TONS of work through
deals like this. They are happy and you are getting work at 20/Hour for your time.
Basically, you have to have gear to get work.
You'd be surprised at how many people do not understand this concept.
There are plenty of good D.P's and production companies in your area.
Hit the phone books, man.
Hope this helps,
brian wells
film industry is performed by freelancers. As an example, not hardly a single show
on television is staffed by employees of the network. Normally the shows aren't even
produced by the network. Normally shows are produced by independant companies from L.A.
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in bigger projects by developing a skill
and being a specialisist in a support industry to a D.P. Examples of a freelance jobs could
be as a sound mixer, makup artist, assistant camera, grip, or production assistant. The
easiest way to get work is to develop relationships with the people that have work--so visit
local film screenings, coffeeshops, and other venues where fellow filmmakers and industry
people are likely to gather. Another place to look is your state film commission. Find the
people on the published crew roster in your area and bug the living daylights out of them
offering to work for free. Demonstrate that you have a skill and would be valuable to them,
and that you're not just looking for on-the-job training.
Build contacts=Get work.
Cold faxing your resume=Well, may the force be with you.
I will say anyone starting from scratch is definitely at a disadvantage in contrast to someone
who has a cousin whose mother's friend know this guy. etc.
However, that isn't to say all is lost. Sometime you just luck into things and there is no
explanation. Note: A good way to luck into things is to already have equipment for the
freelance jobs you are seeking. For example, if you already have sound equipment you
have an advantage in brokering a deal with a producer. You could say, well I know it
would cost you 200/Day to rent the equipment... Well, I already have the equipment
and I will work for free, IF you rent it from me. I have gotten TONS of work through
deals like this. They are happy and you are getting work at 20/Hour for your time.
Basically, you have to have gear to get work.
You'd be surprised at how many people do not understand this concept.
There are plenty of good D.P's and production companies in your area.
Hit the phone books, man.
Hope this helps,
brian wells
sojrn
Well-known member
RYBY,
I grew up in southern Ohio and the downside of production companies in the "smaller" cities are they are staffed only by two or three people. And as thisiswells pointed out, the rest are freelance.
I left for Los Angeles after college because the sheer amout of projects being produced out there dwarfs the "small" cities in the tri-state area all together.
You'll have a far greater chance of getting steadier work out there just as in one of the other major production hubs such as Orlando, Atlanta and New York.
Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If you opt to stay in the Cincinnati area, send your resume and cold call once a month or so to all the companies in your area. Then when something comes up, they'll remember you and perhaps you'll get a call.
PS Take any job they offer, which will probably be a runner and/or production assistant. This will start you on your networking...
Best of luck. :thumbup:
I grew up in southern Ohio and the downside of production companies in the "smaller" cities are they are staffed only by two or three people. And as thisiswells pointed out, the rest are freelance.
I left for Los Angeles after college because the sheer amout of projects being produced out there dwarfs the "small" cities in the tri-state area all together.
You'll have a far greater chance of getting steadier work out there just as in one of the other major production hubs such as Orlando, Atlanta and New York.
Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If you opt to stay in the Cincinnati area, send your resume and cold call once a month or so to all the companies in your area. Then when something comes up, they'll remember you and perhaps you'll get a call.
PS Take any job they offer, which will probably be a runner and/or production assistant. This will start you on your networking...
Best of luck. :thumbup:
Thanks for the advice everyone. I have worked on low budget commercials ( volunteer) and I am a production assistant at a television station in Cincinnati, OH so I get to operate cameras but as most of you know the pay is low but I hope it looks good on my resume. I am thinking about buying a DVX 100A so I could make a short film which will hopefully open more doors. Thanks again for the advice everyone.