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We All Get Old
So I went ot the Cow main page and while browsing happened to see the following under “Jobs Wanted”.
https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/237/1929
After digesting the headline and the rest of the post I began to think that the subject of continuing to work as you get older is one that warrants a discussion. I myself have gotten totally fed up with attempting to acquire broadcast work and have concentrated on corporate where it appears that many of the decision makers are a bit closer to my age bracket.
What does everone think?
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14 Replies
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oh Shut up Dan. Stop your stupid whining. This is my situation. I am a video engineer with over 30 years experience. I just got done with NAB. All the work that my clients want done has almost nothing to
do with what I know. One particular product, that I am being bombarded with calls about, I have never even used, and have not a clue. And my 30 + years of video engineering knowledge – linear editing, switchers, routers, patch bays, wiring – well, I can wipe my behind with that knowledge, because it’s almost useless now, and my clients want the NEW STUFF – and you know what Dan – at 54 years old, and tired, and cranky, I AM GOING TO LEARN THIS NEW STUFF, and I will know it better in 6 months than any 26 year old, and combining this new knowledge along with my background, I will KICK THE ASS of any 26 year old – even though right this second, I am scared, and I am as much of a newbie as any kid starting out with this stuff. I may be old, but I’m not dead yet. And if you get in my way, I will just run you over, just like the “kids” today, who try to run me over. That is not going to happen to me.Bob Zelin
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Age has nothing to do with years. It’s the miles that count and I have enough to be proud of. I’ll never retire. That’s what makes fussy old men fussy and old. In a blink, I went from the youngest kid in the house to the oldest. That would only matter if it mattered.
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plus, in 4 years, you’ll get a discount at Denny’s
lol
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I am truly honored. To have been told to shut up and stop whining by the fabulous BZ is, without a doubt, a highlight of my recent career.
Bob I have not only admired your posts, but your attitude as well,
since I have been exposed to them. In fact I have at least 2 of your responses bookmarked and one hanging on my wall in order to supply a “kick of clarity” when I need it.I do, however, think that your rhetoric may be misplaced in this matter. If you read the posting (not mine) which started this it would be hard not to feel as though a thread, if not a regular dialogue, would be time well spent in sharing tactics on staying employed as we age.
During my post I stated that a part of my personal strategy is to change my focus along with a few other changes I have made that were not listed. I don’t think of it as whining to think that others may have ideas to share and to ask that they comment.
Bob I wish that a laser-beam focus and mountains of determination were always going to be the answer, as they are for you, but that’s not always going to be the case. There are plenty of times when hard doesn’t mean as much as a simple great idea.
By the way Grinner, did you ever get a chance to work with the Guys on “Deadliest Catch”
Later………….Dan
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Bob Zelin is my hero.
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I’m finding that many companies that thrived on beating down “kids” that work cheap and can be abused are getting tired of that scenario because it takes too much time and the ROI is getting lower. They hire me because I get things done better than they expected, in less time and without their need to spend time micro-managing.
I’m gettin’ up in years too – and am doing nifty things with my flip camera and the EX-1 while my $5,000 component router sits turned off collecting dust with the SP decks. It’s been said on this forum before, the tools will change but it’s the talent & personality running them that makes the difference. All those trials and tribulations of timing issues may be gone by using firewire connections, but properly shooting enough pre- and post-roll will save an edit. Nothing I’ve learned or dealt with in the last 25+ years is without a purpose.
Steve
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I completely agree with Steve, its personality and experience that make the difference. I am in a position to provide work for a lot of people (permalancers) and their age varies from 25-60.
For me the fact that they are dedicated, hard working and have great attitude is the selling point. If you are a jerk, lazy, finger pointer, whiner…etc I dont care how old you are or how experienced. You will not work for me.
Ps: Of course I might not hire Bob out of fear that he might eat me…but that’s another story.
Emre Tufekci
http://www.productionpit.com -
I think we all share that fear/respect thing you’ve got going there.
Thanks everyone for their input. I urge anyone with experience in overcoming the “too old” thing to post their experiences here for the rest of us. -
[Simon Stutts] “Bob Zelin is my hero. “
When BZ wants an egg, he cracks open a chicken…..
Mick Haensler
Higher Ground Media -
[Simon Stutts] “Bob Zelin is my hero. “
Did I ever tell you guys about the time BZ shows up at my daughter’s wedding drunk?? Well anyway, he shows up and stands right in between me and my daughter. Now he has absolutely no right to be there but he’s drunk and he’s BZ so what the hey right? Well, the preacher accidentally marries me and BZ!!! We spent the weekend in the Poconos…….
He loved me like I’ve never been loved before………
Mick Haensler
Higher Ground Media
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