How does one become involved with making a dvd?

If somebody (say, for instance, me) wanted to become a DVD producer, or work on creating DVD's for the studios, what would be the right steps to take? Companies to work for? Maybe Charles de Lauzirika could chime in on this?

Dag, yo. I must pick really bad questions to ask. I never get any responses. its because I'm a Rubberhead! Isn't it!

Actually, I think it's a good question. I always wondered how people got into that industry.

Living in Los Angeles is a major plus.

Seeing as I live in Oregon and attend college in Montana, I may have to make a location change if I want to work with dvd's.

Jake, I'm assuming you've gotten yourself a copy of DVD Discoveries. If not, go order one right this second.

yep absolutely great disc indeed

I searched on www.dvdpricesearch.com for dvd discoveries and it turned up nothing. Where can I get this at, and what is on it?

I guess I'm more interested in the business side of being a dvd producer. How do you get paid? Do you get paid by the studio for your work, and then get any royalties?

Here ya go Jake - http://www.dvddiscoveries.com/

You can check out Ron's review here - http://www.hometheaterforum.com/ronsreviews/index.html

I thought the disc was pretty good. It's selling for $3.95 at the moment.

Just bought it. Thanks for the tip.

Does this disc tell me how to get into the business?

sounds like you're just interested in the money side of things (judging by your previous post). shouldn't a passion for film come above all else for it to show in the final product ? still, at least you're honest.

I'm not just interested in money. I love dvd's, that's why I belong to this site. I'm just curious about everything that has to do with making a dvd. I know a lot about how to make one and what makes a good dvd, but like film school, where I am at now, they teach you everything but how to get the job. Anything I can learn about how to get a job is what I'm really looking for.

I imagine working in the home video department of a studio is step 1.

Yes, that would be a good place to start.

Actually, sending your resume to their human recourses department would be a better step 1.

No to get too off-topic here, but it might be pertinent to anyone who tries to follow this advice: At every company I have worked for, people who do this are a considered a joke.

When a job is posted, it is the hiring manager's effort to gather resumes from applicants. Applicants may of course turn them in to Human Resources (HR), but if so they are specifically marked with a form or a cover letter that names the exact posted job they are applying for. HR then hands these straight to the hiring manager to deal with, and never hears from it again except to process the hired person that results.

An unsolicated resume could be for just any job in a very vast company, and noone has time to take this piece of paper and go through and match up the qualifications on it to just whatever to-be-filled positions happen to be around at the moment.

If an unsolicated resume shows up at HR that does not name a currently posted job which is still open, or isn't to the attention of a particular manager with the ability to hire someone, then it goes on file for a while - I think it's a year, by law. Any of the authorized managers who wants to rifle through those to grab a resume out and consider hiring, is welcome to. Few or none will just rifle through (what may be hundreds of resumes!) and hope they come across a match for whatever job they are hiring for...it's kind of an act of desperation. And a manager who shows that he's THAT desperate to hire someone usually doesn't last long.


If I had decided that a particular company - let's say Warner Brothers, for example - was who I had decided I wanted to work for, then what I would do is this: contact their HR Dept. or even just their main receptionist, and find out where and how they inform the public of posted jobs. Is it advertised in a particular newspaper, posted on a bulletin board in their lobby, do they go through a particular hiring agency, or do they list any open postings on their website, or what?

Once you as an applicant know what the job is you're applying for, then you can and should tailor your resume to show that you are the best possible person to fill the job, and that you work cheap. Then send it to HR...or better yet, straight to the hiring manager, if known. Usually the posting mentions how they want you to send in the application; the very best thing to do is demonstrate that you know how to follow directions.

David,

I think it depends on the company/job. 2 summers ago I was looking for a summer job at any newspaper. Along with my resume I sent a cover letter briefly explaining the job I was looking and my skills to 10 papers in the area. Half of them called me up to set up interviews.



This is not true. Most, if not all companies employ people whose job is to read resumes, file them, and dig them up when certain positions become available.

You obviously have to say in a cover letter or on the resume the field you want to work in and why you're qualified for it, so in this DVD production.

There are a variety of ways to get into DVD production, Jake. Most of the major DVD producers have been interviewed by most of the major DVD websites, so if you haven't already, you should read up on how everyone got into the business.

The good news for you is that DVD is booming more than ever and there is an insatiable demand for content. That means more work. That means more jobs. Also, and I could be wrong about this, but it seems to me that most of the established DVD producers are fighting for bigger budgets and more control over their work. I know I sure am. I've spoken to others who are. This makes cheap and easy service providers an attractive option to home video execs who don't want to lose sleep at night over a 12-disc Ulitmate Collector's Limited Edition of an obscure cult film.

The not-so-good news for you is, there are more and more one-stop shops popping up and the studios seem very interested in pumping product through these companies, which can handle everything from EPKs, to DVD supplements, to menu design, to compression and authoring. So it's possible that the days of independent DVD producers might be numbered to some degree. I, myself, have been in serious negotiations to unite with such a company.

So if you are extremely passionate about film, are well-versed in all aspects of filmmaking, have solid experience in post-production, can start out by working for almost nothing and haven't developed that prima donna complex yet, your next step would be to connect with some home video execs.

There are a variety of home video and DVD conferences and symposiums throughout the year. If you can get into some of those, attend some panel discussions and then schmooze the hell out of the guests, you might just make such a connection.

I'm guessing that would be the easiest way to become a DVD producer. Otherwise you could try landing a job with an established DVD producer and work your way up through the ranks, but that could take a few years. Or earn the trust of a major filmmaker and let them plug you in. I've heard that method could work for some people.

Having said all that, I'm the last person to be asking for advice on how to get into DVD production since I'm trying so hard to get out of it. If you love films and the craft of filmmaking so much, don't get into DVD. Go make a movie! (And then you can produce your own DVD.)

That's my plan, anyway...

Thanks for the links Dan, I just ordered a copy.

Kind of related, but not really:

I've done some of my own DVD production at home. I've got a digital camcorder and a DVD burner in my computer. The first project I decided to attempt was to take the 5 digital tapes of my own wedding (that someone filmed for me) and turn them into a DVD. I used Pinnacle Studio 8 (a mid-range off-the-shelf package) to record all of the tapes in, edit them, create menus, and output to DVD. It was quite a learning experience and a great sense of accomplishment when it was done. Then I did two days' worth of tapes from our honeymoon tour of The Hearst Castle.

I've also done some amature filming of 2 weddings, 2 birthday parties, and a weekend family gathering. I'm no professional, but it's turned out to be quite a bit of fun...enough so that I've been considering maybe doing it as a side-line of work.

I would think any experience like this would definitally be an asset if you're trying to get into the scene.

Good luck!

-Seth

All I can say is that I got my dream job as an attorney from a "cold call" resume that was initially responded to with a "we'll keep your resume on file" letter. They did, and then called me 4 months later. 7 years later, I'm enjoying my career, finally.

My advice? Definitely do your homework, and make the calls that were suggested, but if you can't get the info you seek, just send in the resume. You never know.

Pixar currently has two open positions for DVD production staff listed on their job page.