Director of Photography Apprenticeship

[Go To Team]

Are you ready to take your shooting to the next level? Go To Team is offering a unique opportunity to Chief Photographers and local TV Cameramen. This position is designed for photographers that want to gain enough experience to shoot, run audio, and light at the highest level. We have successfully run this apprenticeship for seven years and five of our former apprentices are now full-time Directors of Photography for Go To Team.

This position will be based in Charlotte, NC and work daily with our Director of Photography and Go To Team Partner, Skip Clark (former apprentice) for clients like, NASCAR on FOX, Dale Earnhardt Jr., HD Net, HGTV, NBC News, ABC News, HBO Sports, Turner Sports, and ESPN. You will be running audio, lighting, producing, and learning every aspect of high-end video production. We hope to move you into a full-time Director of Photography position for one of our other markets.

Although during a typical week you will work 4 ten hour days, overtime is a sure thing. Experience in audio, grip work, and management are a plus. However, a solid reel and
hard working attitude are key. We often work odd hours on short notice and international travel may be required.

Requirements: Passport, Vehicle, Strong Desire to be the Best.
Salary: $28,500 (plus, OT)
Term: 1 Year Contract

This is not an entry level position. It is designed for very talented photogs that want to shoot at their best.

There is only one way to apply. Mail 1 DVD or VHS Reel and Resume to our box listed below. Applicants without reel will not be accepted. Please include an email address. Reels and Resumes will be accepted on or before November 30th. Reels received after the November 30th deadline will not be accepted or reviewed.

Mail Reel & Resume to:
Go To Team •
9611 Brookdale Drive
Suite 100-201
Charlotte, NC 28215

[Chicago Dog]

Though you say otherwise, this position pays entry-level. Talented photogs can easily make three times the amount you're offering.

What happened to the former "apprentice?" Your last post for this same spot was only six months ago.

[shootercub]

what if you have a strong desire to be the best, but also have a strong desire to be paid what you're worth!?!

[shade]

or a strong desire to eat and pay the rent

[LongTimePhotog]

You state the entry level salary. What is the full time DP pay? It better pay atleast 70K for me to give everything up for that.

[f11vid]

http://hdvideocrew.blogspot.com/

I think I know the fate of their last apprentice.see pic on their blog

[BluesCam]

$28,500... and it's NOT entry level?

[Shootblue]

Ive seen several of these threads pop up, most of late are negative. It's not a ton of money obviously, but its not unliveable. It has OT. For someone who is looking for experience at that level who has not had a lot of exposure to it and can't foot the bill for the gear and get the clients right off the bat, it's not that bad of a deal. Freelance is a lot different than the self directed regular news photog gig. For some, including me, it was a dramatic change in how things get done. If they can teach you stuff you wouldn't have been exposed to elsewhere, I don't think you have a lot to lose.

[Chicago Dog]

It's not a ton of money obviously, but its not unliveable. It has OT.

For the kind of shooter they're looking for? Yes. That amount of money is a joke. I don't care what they think they're teaching, this is an attempt to get cheap labor, and it's got red-flags-a-plenty.

Did you read the blog? It contains nothing impressive. It gives no clues as to why this guy should be taken seriously. In fact, the only thing it shows me is that anyone can dub themselves "director of photography" in their own mind -- it doesn't mean they've got the traits.

Further, I'd still like to know what happened to his -- excuse me -- the company's previous apprentice. I find it kind of sketchy that they're already advertising for another of the same position when it's only been six months since the exact same post.

[svp]

$28,500 seems to be the starting salary around the country for photogs with 2 years experience or less. Lets see, 28.5K and get to do all the cool things this job offers or 28.5k at a local news station with crappy gear, no time to do quality work and assignment desk, producers, and ND all running you like a dog in different directions at the same time. HMMM........that apprenticeship doesn't sound too bad now does it? Oh did I mention no ambulance chasing, dog lick house fires, late night call-ins, nightly PLS's (Pointless Live Shots) and (the most important) NO SWEEPS!!!!!

Getting ahead in life sometimes means sacrificing now for a big payoff later.

I took my first job in TV in Master Control making 18.5K and moved halfway across the country to take it. I racked up alot of credit card debt to make ends meet. 3.5 years later I'm a photog making enough money to pay off that debt and still live very comfortably but it didn't come without sacrifice and hard work.

[Run&Gun]

Disclaimer: I'm friends with several of these guys, including Skip, Dave and John. They also call me at least once a month on average to shoot(with my gear) or rent my VariCam.

They take a lot of flack on here, but they are good guys, first class and have LOTS of nice toys to play. Definetly a big step up from local. But be prepaired to work a lot. These guys are busy ALL the time, the freelance network life is not M-F/9-5.

[shootercub]

$28,500 seems to be the starting salary around the country for photogs with 2 years experience or less.
...
Getting ahead in life sometimes means sacrificing now for a big payoff later.


Or, you can practice the news biz as best you can and work your way up to a real sized market, raking in over $80k to chase ambulances..

But I guess you could be a REAL photog and work your ass off in your own car with minicams to make crappy cable TV for TLC all while making 12 bucks an hour....

Getting ahead in life sometimes means sacrificing now for a big payoff later.

[pre-set]

Yeah.... I'm glad I'm not a REAL photog, too. Gives me more time to play with my boats, Jeep, work on my house or take a vacation somewhere....

[Land Rover]

The ad looks like any number of sales position type adds I've seen in the past that promise advancment after a short time. In reality its because of high turnover and them wanting to get people attracted to it by promising promotions. I was turned off before I even got halfway through it because it was worded that way.

[Go To Team]

Go To Team prides itself on our apprenticeship program. We also value the comments from B-roll.net. They really represent exactly what potential applicants think when they see our posting.

All Four of our current Directors of Photography and cameramen have completed the apprenticeship. We currently have two apprentices, one in Charlotte, NC who will complete his apprenticeship this December (the one we are filling in this post) and one in Charleston, SC who’s over 3 months into the program. We intend on offering a full-time Cameraman position to our current Apprentice in Charlotte.

There is no promise of advancement, but to be clear…there’s no incentive for us to train someone for a year and not make it beneficial for them to remain on the team.

Please read our FAQ for more answers to questions about the program:

http://www.gototeam.com/jobfaq.asp

[Tv Shooter]

I have shot for GTT in the past,and would gladly do so again.It was damn well smooth,the client was pleased and nice to work with,and most important:Go To Team paid me my rate,and paid it early.
And very nice people to deal with.
You could do alot worse at many tv stations, and it's a way to get into working higher end and high profile shoots.
Or you could shoot some car wrecks,house fires and dog lick lives another few years.