X-Randy_Hansen
Imported Account
Mar 8, 2001, 12:17 PM
Post #2 of 2
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Re: Where can I find a F/T job in video production and/or multimedia?
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I would like to make 60-70K a year to start, too! The reality is
most people start as grips or gofers and make minimum. Your skills
are impressive, but 22 y.o. kids who have a college degree and four
years on AVID Media Composers start at about $28,000. It took me
over 10 years and four moves across the country to become a chief
news photographer in a major market. I was in charge of 14 guys,
5 million in gear, 12 cars, 2 live trucks and I made 45k.
Production wise, you must produce at least twice that if you are
on your own to make 60k. Also be prepared for 20 hour days,
late paying clients and slow times. As part of a larger company,
your owner probably has over $50,000 in equipment and two or
three people(at least)to pay for. He or she probably makes less
than 75k and they can find 20 y.o.'s who will do your job for less
money, have no family commitments, no life and will work 365 days
a year (day and night, weekends, too). You must be able to justify
that salary and, if you came into my office with that demand, I would
walk you politely out the door. I'm giving it to you straight, with no
bull.
If I could, I would take my 20 year retirement- use that as a
"base" salary, and develop the part time biz into a full-time
one. With hard marketing and persistence, 20k in your first year
is well withing reach and upwards from there.
I'm sorry if I sound insensitive as I write this, but I have been
in your shoes (i.e., career change) and no one sat me down and
told me the realities of what I was doing. After three years of
struggling and rejection on my own, I am just now breaking 30k a
year. My prospects look good (up to 80k?) but I had to tighten
my belt (and my family, too) and if it wasn't for my parents, I
wouldn't have gotten this far (I work in their business). But
if you are committed and know what you are getting into, I wish
you the best of luck.
Randy Hansen
Great Valley Productions
Modesto, CA
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