I am a neophyte and looking for work in the realm of DV. The following is a wee bit of background:

Equipment/Software:

Canon XL1S
Bogen Manfrotto 3146 Tripod/501 Head
Bogen Manfrotto 3137 Auto Dolly
Sennheiser ME66/K6 Mod Shotgun Mike
2-Sony Lavaliers
Dell GX400, 1.4GHz, 512RDRAM, ATI-RADEON 9000 PRO
NLE Avid Xpress DV-Proficient
Sonic Foundry Acid-Proficient
Adobe After Effects 5.0-Proficient

I am finishing my SAG Experiment Short (FICTION), and have rolling footage of various animals, birds, humans... I have another short on the backburner and a full-length screenplay. This is what I am doing (DV Filmmaker), but I need to make some dollars at the moment. (via Depositions, recording events, hired camera, etc.)

My experience in the entertainment industry has been film and theatre. I have worked and learned as an actor a great deal from students, professionals, and there trial and tribulations. (Predominantly technical).

I have no contacts in the business/industry behind the camera.

I am seeking experience related answers to the following questions:

1. Do you have a mentor?
2. How did you start?
3. What did you do or do to market/advertise yourself (services)?
4. Anybody out there being paid as a filmmaker? (Very Important to me) I am very interested in what you might say.
5. The all important REEL... Does anybody have a dynamite reel that I might be able to see?

If you know of some work, please send it my way...

I know some of the stories of, "I was just asked to do this and I did." If this was your way, please tell me what you do to maintain your visability to clients/potential clients.

I am anxious to hear from the boards... So Post-Away... I need help before I wound myself...

Cheers!

Derrick

To answer your questions:
1) This forum is as close to a mentor as it gets for me.
2) Had some ideas for a profitable video. Bought a camera. (originaly studied film in school)
3) See this post
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5882
4) No. Not for indie projects. Just for video production which probably wouldn't be considered film making.
5) Paul Sedillo said he was going to try and dig some up on the internet. I'm sure if he finds any, he'll post them.

Except for the commercial video I produced and distributed, the only work I have been paid for has been commercial corporate stuff, which I got through meeting people/making contacts. Not particularily exciting, but the money is decent.

<<<-- Originally posted by Dylan Couper : To answer your questions:
1) This forum is as close to a mentor as it gets for me.
2) Had some ideas for a profitable video. Bought a camera. (originaly studied film in school)
3) See this post
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5882
4) No. Not for indie projects. Just for video production which probably wouldn't be considered film making.
5) Paul Sedillo said he was going to try and dig some up on the internet. I'm sure if he finds any, he'll post them.

Except for the commercial video I produced and distributed, the only work I have been paid for has been commercial corporate stuff, which I got through meeting people/making contacts. Not particularily exciting, but the money is decent. -->>>

Just got back in from Dallas. Will be working on it tonight and tomorrow.