Nooze Hound
01-03-2007, 11:25 AM
I think I made a post about this a while ago. But now that the new year is here. (and my lease is up in a couple months) i've found renewed interest.
I've been out of TV shooting since 2004. I have 4 years shooting and editing experience. Starting as part time weekend shooter/editor then moving to mornings, then evenings then replacing a full time photographer who left to become a firefighter. Prior to that, I was in production for approx 1 year.
I was let go in April of 2004, 1 week away from my 5 year anniversary with the station. Heart broken I went to work for a friend of mine in a smaller 1 station market while I get my head on straight over a sweeps period. I had an amazing opporitunity to work under Dave Wertheimer who was the new ND at KIMT in Mason City IA. However, I was unsure what I wanted to do with my life and I (now I deeply regret this decision) decided to leave the business. My current occupation is draining the soul out of my body, and I dearly want to get back into the business.
Since I've been out for over 2 years, how difficult would it be to get back in? I have no college education (another regrettable decision) and I didn't have the chance to go to an NPPA workshop while I was with my former station. I understand that I would probably need to start out at a small market station again and work up my skills. I've dabbled a little in still photography as a minor hobby. But it only makes me yearn for 50lbs of digital godliness on my shoulder again. Would stations look past my lack of formal education with the amout of experience I have? I was smart enough to work on a resume tape (and with the friends I had at the station, i was able to finish it and access the tapes after I was let go) before I was let go. Nothing really fantastic. One item i have won a "Minnesota Broadcasting Award" for small market sports feature. But the rest is visual, cut to cut editing. I did the best I could. I lobbied for 3 years to get a non-linear editer, only to hear that a few months after I was let go they finally got one, and now my former station is entirely tapeless. Feed the tapes into the computer, edit then non-linear, and zip the file right to master control. I really wish I could've experienced that technology.
I've never learned to edit with a non-linear machine. But I've always been enthusiastic to learn.
Anyhoo, I guess I've rambled on a lot, so much for a lunch hour. But I have a strong desire to get back into the business. I just really want to go and experience the things I used to. I've made so many friends working in TV. I knew most of the police, firemen, local and state government by first name. This past election I actually felt lost. Because i knew the candidates personally so I was able to make a better voting decision.
But again, i'm rambling, sorry.
If there are any ideas, tips, clues, *cough*jobs*cough*etc. I would love to hear it.
I'm only 25. I've had constant employment for 7 1/2 years.
Only 3 employers (1st station, temporary station, and current employer). I'm looking for a place where I can enjoy the work. Where I can work for a long time. And where I can be happy and make improvements and changes in my life.
I've been out of TV shooting since 2004. I have 4 years shooting and editing experience. Starting as part time weekend shooter/editor then moving to mornings, then evenings then replacing a full time photographer who left to become a firefighter. Prior to that, I was in production for approx 1 year.
I was let go in April of 2004, 1 week away from my 5 year anniversary with the station. Heart broken I went to work for a friend of mine in a smaller 1 station market while I get my head on straight over a sweeps period. I had an amazing opporitunity to work under Dave Wertheimer who was the new ND at KIMT in Mason City IA. However, I was unsure what I wanted to do with my life and I (now I deeply regret this decision) decided to leave the business. My current occupation is draining the soul out of my body, and I dearly want to get back into the business.
Since I've been out for over 2 years, how difficult would it be to get back in? I have no college education (another regrettable decision) and I didn't have the chance to go to an NPPA workshop while I was with my former station. I understand that I would probably need to start out at a small market station again and work up my skills. I've dabbled a little in still photography as a minor hobby. But it only makes me yearn for 50lbs of digital godliness on my shoulder again. Would stations look past my lack of formal education with the amout of experience I have? I was smart enough to work on a resume tape (and with the friends I had at the station, i was able to finish it and access the tapes after I was let go) before I was let go. Nothing really fantastic. One item i have won a "Minnesota Broadcasting Award" for small market sports feature. But the rest is visual, cut to cut editing. I did the best I could. I lobbied for 3 years to get a non-linear editer, only to hear that a few months after I was let go they finally got one, and now my former station is entirely tapeless. Feed the tapes into the computer, edit then non-linear, and zip the file right to master control. I really wish I could've experienced that technology.
I've never learned to edit with a non-linear machine. But I've always been enthusiastic to learn.
Anyhoo, I guess I've rambled on a lot, so much for a lunch hour. But I have a strong desire to get back into the business. I just really want to go and experience the things I used to. I've made so many friends working in TV. I knew most of the police, firemen, local and state government by first name. This past election I actually felt lost. Because i knew the candidates personally so I was able to make a better voting decision.
But again, i'm rambling, sorry.
If there are any ideas, tips, clues, *cough*jobs*cough*etc. I would love to hear it.
I'm only 25. I've had constant employment for 7 1/2 years.
Only 3 employers (1st station, temporary station, and current employer). I'm looking for a place where I can enjoy the work. Where I can work for a long time. And where I can be happy and make improvements and changes in my life.