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Some professional advice?
Hi there,
I am currently working in Radio and have been for the last 13 years. Over the last few years I have been doing some freelance video prod. for clients I have met through my radio job. I am looking at leaving radio all together to focus on video. I have a BA communications degree that I got ten years ago (where I learned video on BETA decks) so obviously my degree is somewhat worthless. I am self taught (through books) on AVID, Vegas and Aftereffects. I know ProTools, Adobe Aud etc…through radio. MY QUESTION? I am considering going back to school for either a MA in Comm. Video Empahsis or attending the Art Instititue in order to obtain a degree. Do I need some sort of “official certififacte” to do video full time? I have a reel, but no “real world” expirirence. I am also considering going to school so I can get an internship at a TV station, and I need to be enrolled to do so. Can anybody let me know if school would be the way to go or a waste of money? While I can intuitively produce a :30sec spot, there is a lot I would like to learn, more animation, color/lighting etc…help please. Thanks!
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3 Replies
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It would be hard to come up why going to school would be a bad thing (except for time and money). It is alwyas good to acuire new skills as well as connections. Internships are a good example.
As far as actually working as a videographer: none of my clients has ever asked to see my “certificate” 🙂
Gary Kleiner
Learn Vegas and DVD Architect
http://www.VegasTrainingAndTools.com
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you have a BA – did it help/get you a job ?
what job will the MA get you ? what job do you see that states MA required ?
for video you are self taught = what more is the art institute going to teach you that several entensive workshops won’t ??
what exactly do you want to do in video ? direct, produce, edit, DP , all of em ?
you would like to work in? TV station ? news team? corporate video , commercials, features, documentary? wedding video’s , short subject? anything that pasy the bills?
i have yet to see a degree get a person a directing, editing, DP etc job … it’s the “reel” not the degree …
if you didn’t already have a degree then i would say !!! but you do and you’re the only one that can decide how much it has done for you work wise and how much it has done on a over-all life experience thing which i would guess is the BIG satisfaction …based on that you really have to look if a MA will help you get the job or perhaps you just want one for personal reasons …
i have a BA in FILM .. since 82 i have the credits & thesis project completed for a MA in film but just have never filed the papers to get the offical degree ..
other then a personal “thing ” the MA was never required and infact within 2 weeks of moving to LA back in 82 i took the BA off my resume and never put it back on …
maybe in a few years ? i may get the MA just for personal reasons…for most video production work you do not need a degree .. for management a business degree would help …
taking a class so you can intern may help you decide the area you want to go in PLUS you can meet others (network-contracts)..
what area are you in ?
does you area have any commercial production houses ? animation houses?
any places/organizations where these persons perhaps meet once a month ?
are you willing to re-locate ?
can you take a cut in pay ?
what about medical coverage ?
many questions to consider when changing fields.. -
Thaks for the responses! It has given me a great deal to consider!
Thanks again!
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