Video Production Starting Salary?

T

tampawolf

Well-known member
So I have an interview for this job tomorrow
http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/tfr/3092681775.html
And I'm fairly new to the business professionally, all the work I have done has been from a hobbyist point. So if he asks me what my desired salary is what is a good starting point? Keeping in mind the job, and that I don't have experience in the industry, though I am very experienced in the programs needed. Any tips for the interview are also welcome.
 
I think saying that you don't have enough experience with this particular job title and function to choose a fair salary is a good answer. Honesty matters, and it's not like he won't know you have no production experience. Also, are these two different jobs?
 
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Although it has been decades since I worked for a TV station, Master Control Operator and Editor are two ENTIRELY different positions. Strange combination.
 
Terry_Lasater said:
Although it has been decades since I worked for a TV station, Master Control Operator and Editor are two ENTIRELY different positions. Strange combination.
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Yeah, they are two entirely different jobs. Many small production companies are doing this, and it's usually a recipe for failure. They try to combine producers and editors in the same job, tech guys and editors, vfx and web design together and many other weird combinations. Product always suffers.
 
Yeah, I would say be honest. But have some idea of what your time is worth and don't settle for something unfair. I'm only a year out of undergrad, but I majored in film production. Last fall I had a small marketing company bring me in for an interview for a video assistant position and then offer me only $200 a week.

Also, be able to name a few favorite movies and talk about them. Seems kind of silly or cliche, but if things get conversational this almost always seems to come up for me. It helps them know you have some personality.
 
How big is the company? How established are they? How well funded are they? Are they busy?

i.e. Large, well established companies that are busy can afford to pay a good salary
 
Oh, man:

Must . . . have real good attention to detail & a good attention span.
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You know, attention to detail like using "real" instead of the correct "really," and a good attention span, like typing "&" instead of the weighty and cumbersome "and."

OK, end of thread derailment.

tampawolf, if they ask you what your desired salary is, ask them what their range for the job is. You don't need to take blind shots.
 
David Jimerson said:
ask them what their range for the job is. You don't need to take blind shots.
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Agreed. Let's be honest here. For a lot of companies out there, they don't care about how good of a job you could possibly do, how valuable your insight/experience/talent is, or anything else. They just want to find someone who has a "good enough" resume and names the lowest number they hear.
 
30k sounds like not much to lost but I would be just fine with it as like you said ot pays the bills and is a way to get into the business.
 
For someone with no experience and, as far as I can tell, no relevent education working in a job that is meant to 'get into the business' at a low end company $16 an hour seems more than reasonable. At least for a master control operator. But again, it depends on the company more than anything.
 
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if someone says 2000$ a month and another one says 1000 is fine for me... they're going to take the 1000....
 
personally when i see the phrases "must be a fast learner" and "fast paced live tv"
in the job description, there would not be enough money in the world to get me to apply,

i would ask what their renumeration is for the position. if you think it is fair go for it.
if it is not enough for you, negotiate for a better deal.
you should have some idea of what your services are worth, if they cant meet it walk away.

from their job description the renumeration should be substantial, but i doubt it will be.

cheers
 
ian dart said:
personally when i see the phrases "must be a fast learner" and "fast paced live tv"
in the job description, there would not be enough money in the world to get me to apply,
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Having worked in a very similar job (home shopping channel which is not a big one, yet shall be left unnamed), I can say that the job will be long hours, low pay, and little respect (from upper management). However, I wouldn't trade that experience for the world. I learned a lot and met other people there that I still work with to this day.
 
it's something that cuts both ways (goes both ways)...

You can be asked to do a not much payed thing and have to give up social life... But meet new people who can offer better jobs... and gain experience.

And then once you think you know enough people or have enough experience...just quit....

If you notice after 2 months it goes to nothing...just quit...
 
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