Art Institute of Los Angeles....??

The production end of video production (using the equipment) isn't exactly rocket science. Everything you need to know you could probably learn in a summer internship at a reasonably sized TV station.

Instead of switching schools, how about first doing an internship or maybe a summer video production program -- see if you like it before making a major change.

No school, tech or otherwise, will teach you more than about half of what you will need to know. Anyone who is really "doing it" in the industry took it upon themselves to DO IT and learn by doing. I know very few people who's "education" in tv/video/film/audio stopped at the classroom doors, and those who did don't tend to go very far.



I thought FS was a 2 year program? I don't know much about their video program- but I have several friends who attended for audio, and most look back on the decision as a mistake.



You'd be surprised- while you might see "being in LA" as an advantage- in some respects it's a disadvantage. I know MANY people who got their entry-level positions in audio/video SPECIFICALLY because the production houses out here were bored of the same la recording workshop/AI grads. Kids coming from Phoenix or Full Sail or even Vancouver have an interesting "in" as 99% of the kids finishing schools in LA stay here to look for jobs... Faces from elsewhere are often seen as "fresh."



AI has several production schools around the country: I have always seen them as a joke (might come from the fact that they were mocked on the opening of Nirvana's "live, tonight, sold out" video)-- they seem a little too quick, slick and dirty for my tatses-- but i can't comment on the view of the "industry." If you're more specific about the type of job you're looking for, I might be able to ask around. If all else fails, call the school and see if they have an alumni contact program- and call some former students...



They all suck- get up off your ass, buy some books and START DOING. Do not wait to take a class- beg or steal some equipment- borrow anything you can get your hands on, try "borrowed" software, read borrowed books-- keep in mind your school cares more about your tuition than your future-- you have to take it upon youself. Find out if there are any local TV or production studios within driving distance- pester them, and offer to carry heavy things for free. Go every weekend. Devour industry mags and online discussions...

If you're even marginally self-motivated, you have zero need for the specialty schools- get a 4 year degree from a university to show prospective employers that you can stick it out and can be taught, and get the REAL knowledge on your own.

Most prospective employers are IMPRESSED by people who work on their own to attain knowledge and as long as you can talk the talk when you walk in the door, the will never care where your degree came from.

blah, blah, blah.

I came to LA with a 4 year education from a state university with, essentially, no real audio or video production classes (my first audio lab involved cueing up records on a turntable- this was in 2002)--- but I had spent 10 years going out, working where I could, reading, borrowing equipment, working on friends projects, etc.

I came out from Nowherefuck, Ohio and got hired on my first interview and work as an audio editor on several major network TV shows at this point... there are kids where I work who have full formal recording school education and the giant debt to prove it (Full Sail, LA recording Workshop, Phoenix, etc)-- they work in an entry-level position in the machine room for damn near minimum wage...

Because they only bothered to learn what was required in the classroom...

-V

Well, then, you might be looking in the wrong direction. I'm assuming you'd consider yourself more "technical?"

I can say that creativity is probably the prime assest of people working in arts/entertainment (although some are decidedly more creative while others just borrow from creative people)-- I find myyself personally better at reworking/improving existing ideas rather than starting of scratch- but that's just my personal niche.

As trite as it might sound- you should probably start by making an honest assessment of your interests, skills and talents-- kind of like your high school guidance counselor. Getting a good breakdown of your strengths and interests will help guide your decision making on what directions to persue.



Well, a PA works to fetch coffee and notebooks in most cases- and get paid about $7/hr for the privledge. PA is sort of seen as an entry level, foot-in-thw-door position to real crew work-- not a career to aspire to by any strech. It's hard enough to live on $7- but in LA where a studio apartment in a sketchy neighborhood will run you $650 a month- it becomes an even bigger issue.

If you're looking to be "around famous people" you could try for personal assisting or something like that- which would be similar to a PA position, only it pays you enough to eat once in a while.

If you're looking to be "around the magic" of filmmaking- in production- you might start by looking over some movie credits and finding out what jobs exist on a film set. As you said, you're not creative, so a good deal of the artistry aspirations are out- but there are plenty of technical and labor jobs on a film set you might enjoy. Again- it all comes down to your personal tastes...



Well, editing does require creativity. If you're thinking you might be interested in editing- i would strongly advise finding some software like Premiere or even Vegas and get started playing around ASAP. Most colleges have DV cameras that students can check out, and even labs where you can capture footage-- you obviously have a computer: go shoot something and start playing around editing.



Well, I'm personally skewed toward sound- so most of my fave books are sound centric. I usually recommend David Yewdall's "practical Art of Motion Picture SOund" to anyone who will listen-- while it is a sound specific book, it talks a LOT about the physical realities of how "MAKING A FILM" really works- from a very practical point of view. It talks a lot about editing and the physical realities of film-- also talks a lot about PRODUCTION- and the army of people and coordination it takes to make a big budget project.

This book is, like I said, a sound book by name-- but it's a decent read for a practical guide to production on a film.

But- i think your very first step is a bit of self reflection- figure out why you want to work in this industry- what your personal talents and tastes are...

-V

Re: Art Institute of Los Angeles....??

You can look for degree from Champlain College . it would be pretty helpful.

Re: Art Institute of Los Angeles....??

A five year bump for this?