Anyone have any connections to Discovery/Speed/anything?

xyouthx

xyouthx

Well-known member
So, I graduated from Electronic Media here in Ohio at the University of Cincinnati back in June, and my long term plan of getting hired at a post house went to **** since they had to do layoffs 3 weeks prior to my graduation.

Since then, I've been just shooting on my HVX200 constantly, building my reel up more and more, doing freelance PA/grip/videography work, and just working my normal job saving up money so that I could move to pursue something with a few grand to pay bills.

My specialty has been in Action Sports/ automotive racing, though I've shot numerous music videos, short film, live action, etc. I definitely have a talent for shooting "on the go", sticking with fast paced objects, keeping it all framed and smooth, freehand, etc.... but how can I equate these skills into a potential start of a career?

I've sent my resume/reel to numerous automotive magazines, websites, ESPN, Speed Channel, Fuel, but have had 0 replies or anything.

I simply love to shoot, but I know there's a high likelyhood I wouldn't be shooting anything if I got on with a big company such as the ones listed, and I'm ok with that, as long as I'm "in", and making progress towards my career.... problem like anywhere is getting started, finding that chance.

I'd love to be involved with Discovery, traveling and shooting anything/everything in the world, because that's primarily all I care about (I'm more intrigued by beautiful images, than a story most of the time), but Discovery doesn't even have any internships currently.

So, I'm moving to NYC next month to stay with some fellow grads who are trying to "make it" as well, except they all had their school paid for by parents, and my loans start in December, so I'm going to do all I can to find something, but I'll probably have to return home by New Years if no luck, since money will be gone by then.

Any help, thoughts, or wisdom would be appreciated guys, especially from those who have been there, or are currently struggling like myself.
 
Discovery, Speed & Fuel are broadcasters and don't produce the shows they air (for the most part) independent production companies produce them.

Google Fuel production companies or Speed Channel producton companies and those are the people you want to send your reels too. Also write down the names of the production companies when you are watching the shows, they say in the credits at the end.

I have never heard of Discovery hiring a camera guy, only production companies who are the ones that hire the specific type camera guy needed.
 
ChipG said:
Discovery, Speed & Fuel are broadcasters and don't produce the shows they air (for the most part) independent production companies produce them.

Google Fuel production companies or Speed Channel producton companies and those are the people you want to send your reels too. Also write down the names of the production companies when you are watching the shows, they say in the credits at the end.

I have never heard of Discovery hiring a camera guy, only production companies who are the ones that hire the specific type camera guy needed.
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yeah I guess that's sort of the mis-conception I had. I know Fuel does shoot a lot of their own stuff, but I had no idea Discovery contracted so much, but I'll look into all that now.

thanks!
 
Discovery contracts all thier shows out then adds thier name at the end, Hasbro is actually producing everything for the Discovery Kids channel now. Want to produce for Discovery Kids, F#ck you, go through Hasbro is the answer they'll give you.

You might even be able to get a list of thier partnering production companies from thier website or call Discovery Communications main office, I'm sure someone can fax you a list. They have 22 brands now.

I'd hit up Thom Beers company Original Productions first, they are one of the largest (if not the largest) supplier of content for Discovery Channel. Great people, just pick up the phone and call them, tell them what you do. It still might be John Watklins dept (great guy) if not they will tell you who to send your reel too, tell hem on the phone what you do and a lttle about you. That company really puts the fun in fun (as long as you are good at what you do and bust your ass x10).
 
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ChipG said:
Discovery contracts all thier shows out then adds thier name at the end, Hasbro is actually producing everything for the Discovery Kids channel now. Want to produce for Discovery Kids, F#ck you, go through Hasbro is the answer they'll give you.

You might even be able to get a list of thier partnering production companies from thier website or call Discovery Communications main office, I'm sure someone can fax you a list. They have 22 brands now.

I'd hit up Thom Beers company Original Productions first, they are one of the largest (if not the largest) supplier of content for Discovery Channel. Great people, just pick up the phone and call them, tell them what you do. It still might be John Watklins dept (great guy) if not they will tell you who to send your reel too, tell hem on the phone what you do and a lttle about you. That company really puts the fun in fun (as long as you are good at what you do and bust your ass x10).
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wow thanks so much man! I gave them a call, and wasn't able to get in touch with John but he does work there.

So the receptionist gave me a fax number to fax my resume, attn to John. And also gave me an email to submit my reel, so I'm going to email them tonight, and fax John tomorrow, and go from there I guess.
 
If your moving to NYC there is a great company there called Original Media (not to be confused with Original Productions out of CA) they have a top rated series on Disco right now and a few other fun projects going on. Also a really fun group of people. Just do some research and send out 100 copies of your demo reel, if it is good you'll be turning down projects left and right.
 
PM me a link to your demo reel, I have a couple x-treme type & travel projects going on and I know some people.
 
Ohh yea, Original Productions HATES the hvx & P2 workflow, especialy John, I guess they were racking thier brains after Iditarod. Let him know you are a handheld shooter, thier fav handheld cam right now is the sony Z7 same with Original Media. But if you tell him you have a hvx he might put you on the Iditarod crew (Brrrrrrrr) if they are going to shoot that series again, dunno, might have gotten canceled but it's the only thing they have produced for Disco with an hvx.
 
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