Helping Hands from 2005

Yohann Kouam · May 25th, 2005, 11:02 AM

hey,

some of you probably remember me. i posted a thread a couple of months ago to get advice on how to find an internship or job in NYC this summer. i sent a lot of resumes, replied to a lot of adds ans stuff but not ONE single reply. i guess it's just normal since i'm right now in Spain, i can not be interviewed or anything so why should they waste their time. so my plan is to go straight up there and look for a job on the spot. my question now is how risky is that given i intend to show up early july?
am i about to comit suicide??

by the way if anyone is looking for someone in NYC(shooter, FCP editor, colorist, photographer, P.A.,etc...) i'm fully available. here's a link to a divx version of my latest short:
http://www.euromedcafe.org/winner.as...documentID=219

thanks and take care

Yohann KOUAM

e-mail:digitalfilmmakers@yahoo.fr

Jim Sofranko · May 25th, 2005, 01:28 PM

First, no job is worth suicide...kidding or not.

I'm not certain what level of work you are seeking but here are a few suggestions.

You may want to check into Mandy.com for they always have job listings in NYC especially for low budget, entry level work that may be of interest to you. If you are lookng for someting lucrative you could try to shop your reel around to production compnaies. But be aware that it is very competitiive in NYC and you would be lucky to get an interview much less a good job.

Many companies get slow in August as most people take vacations then. So don't let your expectations get too high. Instead, try to visit NY and get a sense of the business by working on lower paying gigs. That may be a stepping stone to better paying work in the future.

Hope this helps.

John C. Chu · May 25th, 2005, 02:08 PM

I'm sure you've checked these two websites...but just in case...

http://www.nyc.gov/html/film/html/ho...download.shtml

And of course...

http://newyork.craigslist.org/

Just watch out for "scammers" on Craiglist though...

Yohann Kouam · May 25th, 2005, 02:41 PM

haha what i meant by comitting suicide is wether i'd go to new-york to find nothing...
and a non paid job will be fine with me, all i search is experience...

thanks for the advice give me some more!

Bruce S. Yarock · May 25th, 2005, 03:44 PM

I'm thinking about getting the fu-1000 monochrome viewfinder for my xl2. I was unable to find one to rent and was hoping that some one down here is using one. If so, I'd apprecite checking it out.
Thanks
Bruce S. Yarock

You can email me at yarock at aol dot com.

Dietmar Zonewicz · May 25th, 2005, 03:46 PM

Have you ever thought aboout building your own? you only need a old vf from an old betacam and a soldering iron. and of course some skills in elektronics ;)

dietmar

Patrick King · May 25th, 2005, 07:23 PM

Dietmar

Post the schematic and you might be very famous around here!

Don Donatello · May 25th, 2005, 10:11 PM

from my experience based in LA ...
i received many calls from students that went to the same university that i attended ...when i received these calls asking for advice/help i told them all if they came to LA i could give them names , they could come out to what ever set i was working etc .. i have to say that over 15 years of taking 100's of calls not one person that said they were moving to LA that lived outside of LA ever showed up ..

the "film " business is a who you know business = if i need a PA next tuesday i'll ask my current PA's for some names 1st before i go to resumes in a folder ... from the resume i have no idea what you are like ..

so i guessing that because you're in SPAIN is the reson for no response.

IMO take a chance and you show up and take the knocks with the rest of persons here trying to intern/make it. if you do come !! you have to be open ,friendly and willing to introduce yourself to strangers , if somebody gives you a "name & number " do not hesitate -call them ASAP ...

what type of internship are you seeking ?
most interns are just unpaid PA's/runners ..

i just watched your short .. YOU have it !! .. IMO take the $$ you would spend on airflight, rent in NYC and make another movie !! i think you'll get far more out of making another project then taking intern in NYC ..

Bob Costa · May 25th, 2005, 10:48 PM

There are times in our life when we have to just go for it. You are young and have what you need. If you want to work in NYC, you need to be in NYC. If you want to be a filmmaker in NYC, then go do that. Figure out what your resources are, and how long they will last under different scenarios. Figure out what compromises you are willing to make, and when you will make them. Don't work in a burger joint the first week, but after that, it all depends on your resources, commitment, opportunities that you find, etc. Some compromise examples:

1. Working at minimum wage job to pay bills
2. Sharing an apt with 17 other people
3. Taking ANY job in your field, even being the doughnut guy or bicycle delivery guy.
4. Working for free.
5. Working for yourself doing a related field (freelance camera guy, etc)

Your resources include cash, equipment, friends, brains, talent, humility, aggressiveness, perserverance, and more.

Plan plan plan, then take your best shot and go. If you have detailed plan, you can adapt better than if you do not. Best of luck.

Bruce S. Yarock · May 26th, 2005, 02:25 AM

Mike,
Get in touch if you ever need anyting in south Florida.
Bruce Yarock

Yohann Kouam · May 26th, 2005, 03:44 AM

I hear you Don but see this is a mandatory internship(i can do whatever i want as long as it's abroad) for school so no matter what i have to do it. and yes i intend to make another movie next summer and for this i'd rather stay in France right now(i'm currently in an exchange programm in Spain) because we get A LOT of financial help by the government, know what i mean?
I don't mind having to work as bicycle guy or stuff like that, i prefer doing that than working at pizza hut. and as they say once you can make it in NYC you can make it anywhere...

do you guys know if they hire a lot of set photographers overthere?

all right i gotta go back to my research thanks for your support people!

Mike Cavanaugh · May 26th, 2005, 07:46 AM

Bruce - thanks, I greatly appreciate the offer for south Florida. If something comes up on this or any other projects - I'll let you know. Too bad I didn't have your name about a year ago - I needed to shoot an interview in Melbourne FL - I had to leave the beauty of the Northeast in early March and make the ultimate sacrifice and travel to Florida - all that sun was depressing!

Mike Cavanaugh · May 26th, 2005, 07:52 AM

By the way, I am still looking for shooters, especially on the west coast (LA/Seattle). I have a tentative contact for the Cleveland area shoot but if you are still interested in helping, let me know in case he can't do it for some reason.

I want to emphasize that while probably not commercial rates (OK - definately not commercial rates!) this is a paying gig for a shooter with some experience. I appreciate all the help from folks on this forum.

K. Forman · May 26th, 2005, 08:13 AM

Uhhhh.... Mike?

<------------
hehe

I'm in Central Fla, and could always make room to help out too :)

Mike Cavanaugh · May 26th, 2005, 09:14 AM

Keith - Oh darn - You mean I gave up 3 days in sleet, slush and snow to suffer in the sun?

May 25th, 2005, 11:02 AM	#391
Yohann Kouam Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: sevilla Posts: 116	since I can't find a job in NYC, here what I'll do hey, some of you probably remember me. i posted a thread a couple of months ago to get advice on how to find an internship or job in NYC this summer. i sent a lot of resumes, replied to a lot of adds ans stuff but not ONE single reply. i guess it's just normal since i'm right now in Spain, i can not be interviewed or anything so why should they waste their time. so my plan is to go straight up there and look for a job on the spot. my question now is how risky is that given i intend to show up early july? am i about to comit suicide?? by the way if anyone is looking for someone in NYC(shooter, FCP editor, colorist, photographer, P.A.,etc...) i'm fully available. here's a link to a divx version of my latest short: http://www.euromedcafe.org/winner.as...documentID=219 thanks and take care Yohann KOUAM e-mail:digitalfilmmakers@yahoo.fr

May 25th, 2005, 03:44 PM	#395
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	Monochrome viewfinder for xl2 in South Fl? I'm thinking about getting the fu-1000 monochrome viewfinder for my xl2. I was unable to find one to rent and was hoping that some one down here is using one. If so, I'd apprecite checking it out. Thanks Bruce S. Yarock You can email me at yarock at aol dot com.

May 25th, 2005, 07:23 PM	#397
Patrick King Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Enterprise, AL Posts: 857	Dietmar Post the schematic and you might be very famous around here! __________________ Fear No Weevil!

May 25th, 2005, 10:48 PM	#399
Bob Costa Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 850	There are times in our life when we have to just go for it. You are young and have what you need. If you want to work in NYC, you need to be in NYC. If you want to be a filmmaker in NYC, then go do that. Figure out what your resources are, and how long they will last under different scenarios. Figure out what compromises you are willing to make, and when you will make them. Don't work in a burger joint the first week, but after that, it all depends on your resources, commitment, opportunities that you find, etc. Some compromise examples: 1. Working at minimum wage job to pay bills 2. Sharing an apt with 17 other people 3. Taking ANY job in your field, even being the doughnut guy or bicycle delivery guy. 4. Working for free. 5. Working for yourself doing a related field (freelance camera guy, etc) Your resources include cash, equipment, friends, brains, talent, humility, aggressiveness, perserverance, and more. Plan plan plan, then take your best shot and go. If you have detailed plan, you can adapt better than if you do not. Best of luck. __________________ You are either growing or dying.

May 26th, 2005, 08:13 AM	#404
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Uhhhh.... Mike? <------------ hehe I'm in Central Fla, and could always make room to help out too :) __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

May 25th, 2005, 01:28 PM	#392
Jim Sofranko Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: West Shokan, NY Posts: 217	First, no job is worth suicide...kidding or not. I'm not certain what level of work you are seeking but here are a few suggestions. You may want to check into Mandy.com for they always have job listings in NYC especially for low budget, entry level work that may be of interest to you. If you are lookng for someting lucrative you could try to shop your reel around to production compnaies. But be aware that it is very competitiive in NYC and you would be lucky to get an interview much less a good job. Many companies get slow in August as most people take vacations then. So don't let your expectations get too high. Instead, try to visit NY and get a sense of the business by working on lower paying gigs. That may be a stepping stone to better paying work in the future. Hope this helps.

May 25th, 2005, 02:08 PM	#393
John C. Chu Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rego Park , NYC Posts: 665	I'm sure you've checked these two websites...but just in case... http://www.nyc.gov/html/film/html/ho...download.shtml And of course... http://newyork.craigslist.org/ Just watch out for "scammers" on Craiglist though...

May 25th, 2005, 02:41 PM	#394
Yohann Kouam Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: sevilla Posts: 116	haha what i meant by comitting suicide is wether i'd go to new-york to find nothing... and a non paid job will be fine with me, all i search is experience... thanks for the advice give me some more!

May 25th, 2005, 03:46 PM	#396
Dietmar Zonewicz Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Esslingen & Frankfurt, Germany Posts: 47	Have you ever thought aboout building your own? you only need a old vf from an old betacam and a soldering iron. and of course some skills in elektronics ;) dietmar

May 25th, 2005, 10:11 PM	#398
Don Donatello Hawaiian Shirt Mogul Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: northern cailfornia Posts: 1,261	from my experience based in LA ... i received many calls from students that went to the same university that i attended ...when i received these calls asking for advice/help i told them all if they came to LA i could give them names , they could come out to what ever set i was working etc .. i have to say that over 15 years of taking 100's of calls not one person that said they were moving to LA that lived outside of LA ever showed up .. the "film " business is a who you know business = if i need a PA next tuesday i'll ask my current PA's for some names 1st before i go to resumes in a folder ... from the resume i have no idea what you are like .. so i guessing that because you're in SPAIN is the reson for no response. IMO take a chance and you show up and take the knocks with the rest of persons here trying to intern/make it. if you do come !! you have to be open ,friendly and willing to introduce yourself to strangers , if somebody gives you a "name & number " do not hesitate -call them ASAP ... what type of internship are you seeking ? most interns are just unpaid PA's/runners .. i just watched your short .. YOU have it !! .. IMO take the $$ you would spend on airflight, rent in NYC and make another movie !! i think you'll get far more out of making another project then taking intern in NYC ..

May 26th, 2005, 02:25 AM	#400
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	Mike, Get in touch if you ever need anyting in south Florida. Bruce Yarock

May 26th, 2005, 03:44 AM	#401
Yohann Kouam Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: sevilla Posts: 116	I hear you Don but see this is a mandatory internship(i can do whatever i want as long as it's abroad) for school so no matter what i have to do it. and yes i intend to make another movie next summer and for this i'd rather stay in France right now(i'm currently in an exchange programm in Spain) because we get A LOT of financial help by the government, know what i mean? I don't mind having to work as bicycle guy or stuff like that, i prefer doing that than working at pizza hut. and as they say once you can make it in NYC you can make it anywhere... do you guys know if they hire a lot of set photographers overthere? all right i gotta go back to my research thanks for your support people!

May 26th, 2005, 07:46 AM	#402
Mike Cavanaugh Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Albany NY Posts: 311	Bruce - thanks, I greatly appreciate the offer for south Florida. If something comes up on this or any other projects - I'll let you know. Too bad I didn't have your name about a year ago - I needed to shoot an interview in Melbourne FL - I had to leave the beauty of the Northeast in early March and make the ultimate sacrifice and travel to Florida - all that sun was depressing!

May 26th, 2005, 07:52 AM	#403
Mike Cavanaugh Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Albany NY Posts: 311	By the way, I am still looking for shooters, especially on the west coast (LA/Seattle). I have a tentative contact for the Cleveland area shoot but if you are still interested in helping, let me know in case he can't do it for some reason. I want to emphasize that while probably not commercial rates (OK - definately not commercial rates!) this is a paying gig for a shooter with some experience. I appreciate all the help from folks on this forum.

May 26th, 2005, 09:14 AM	#405
Mike Cavanaugh Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Albany NY Posts: 311	Keith - Oh darn - You mean I gave up 3 days in sleet, slush and snow to suffer in the sun?