Video Production Career Guide and Counseling

Question: Where can find a mentor for video production? I can not afford to take classes just yet, and want to find a mentor to help me learn some basics about video production. How do I go about finding a mentor to teach me about things like: Talent Waivers, Location Waivers and other permissions. Camera tricks and tips. Editing tricks and tips. Directing Tips. Marketing my productions. Finding sponsors. I appreciate any direction you folks can give me. Thank you!

Answer: Hi Spot, Wow, you're a very creative person. How about volunteering at a local tv station? I volunteered for a local cable company about 3 years ago. Be willing to do ANY type of work - even if you begin by running out to get coffee. While you're there SOAK up as much as you can. Be persistent, show you're strong interest. Go for it! Best of luck

Question: I am going to start a video production business what camcorder should I buy? I am going to start a video production business for recording events such as pageants and weddings and I would like some advice on the best camera to buy for under $2000. (preferably around $1000 or less if possible) It would be great if it has white balance controls and any other features that would make the recording an event a lot easier. Thanks!

Answer: If you got money to burn then an HD cam would be great to have but highly unwarranted for your proposed application. If you want HD mini DV has a 16x9 mode which is also comparable to a broadcast HD signal despite what broadcast providers would have you believe. SONY MINI-DV CAM! You will not be sorry. Thats what I started with for professional video productions in 2005. Panasonic has affordable 3ccd cams for around $1000 if you want to spend that much initially. For editing Premiere Elements is a great legal buy for only about $80-$100 with DVD encoding. (if your Mac OSX i guess you could use iMovie...Final Cut is major $$$) A 3 CCD cam would be great to have but if you don't know how to sequence and edit etc... a great camera is not going to help you. Your in for a tough time I can assure you. DVD compression, DVD covers, Photoshop, Menus, copyright BS, ordering, selling, people saying "my $3 DVD player wont play your disc...I HATE YOU!!!" and.... Computer and Hardware issues. Also if your taping events your mostly not going to have time to white balance and manually control everything. Its not like setting up a movie set. An event happens and you have to be on the ball. All the power to you but know that your in for many google searches down the road. Peace. My pro video Website is below, I've gotten very vast in what I do.

Question: I want to start a video production business but Im broke and have bad credit. Any Advise? I want to start a video production business I have a degree and unfortunately school has left me broke with bad credit. Is there any way to get loans, grants anything to help me start off this business. I know it'll be a long road to get where i want to be but im willing to travel i just need a jump start. Any advise.

Answer: yah, get some friends to help uz!

Question: How to get large companies as a client for video production work? A newly formed video production company is trying to make commercials for companies rather than local businesses. Not to toote our own horn, but we are graduates from one of the best film schools in the country and feel we can make very professional quality work given the chance (we don't want to make cheap looking local ads our whole lives). Does anyone have advice on how to go about making commercials for bigger companies, ie. expanding the company?

Answer: If you really were graduates from the best school in the country, you would know how to go about it. You would have been taught.

Question: What are some jobs that you can get with a degree in Video Production? I did want to go to college for a degree in Audio and Video production but I don't know if you can get any jobs with that. Are there jobs for Video Production? But just in case are there any jobs for Audio and Video Production? I have one year to think before I go to college so this would help me greatly!

Answer: There is quite a lot you can do with a degree in VP: Film editor Video director Photojournalist Commercial director Video editor Editing specialist Production lead Internet video editor News producer Program director In addition to working for someone else, you could also do freelance.

Question: What is the best degree for going to work in the video production and editing career? I'm trying to find out the correct degree to reserach for working in video production and video editing. I'm interested in changing careers to something I might actually enjoy doing.

Answer: Perhaps a degree in Film would be suitable for you.

Question: How can I find investors to put money into a Video production? I am working on a production schedule but I need money for rental of equipment and permits. Shooting should start in 6 months. I probably need $125,000.00 for all the expences. Anyone in the Video business give me some feedback! Hey dont send me links to websites or other scam. If you have an answer send it here!

Answer: try http://www.breadstreet.com you can find investors that invest in any worthwhile investment

Question: Is there a sales or service tax charged for Video Production services in California? Hello, I provide video productions services to a few clients of mine here in California. I am a little confused as to whether or not Video production is subject to a sales tax in California. I know in most states Services are not taxable, but I am not sure about California. My services includes production and filming as well as dvd authoring and then the client receives a final dvd.

Answer: When your customer receives tangible personal property (a dvd), the entire charges relating to the sale of that property, including the labor to create it, are taxable. There are some exemptions for qualified motion pictures. See the link below. If it's for your client's private use, it's taxable.

Question: What type of computer do I need for Audio and Video Production? This for like recording music on Sonar LE and also using Fruity Loops. And as far as Video Production it would be for Rendering and Editing video either through pinnacle 9 or adobe premiere. I need the best quality for the cheapest price.

Answer: well you need a computer with at leasr 2GB and good video cards ..512 MB of video ram...

Question: I want to start a video production/editing business, but how do I get started? I have an ok computer and I saving to buy a laptop to do my editing. I have a video camera. I just want to know how to get into the business of video production. (Preferably editing)

Answer: The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in. I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box. Associations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant: * The Budget Book for Film and Television, Second Edition by Robert Koster * The Eye Is Quicker: Film Editing: Making a Good Film Better by Richard D Pepperman * On Film Editing by Edward Dmytryk * The Complete Film Production Handbook, Third Edition (Book & CD-ROM) by Eve Light Honthaner * Film Production Management 101: The Ultimate Guide for Film and Television Production Management and Coordination (Michael Wiese Productions) by Deborah S Patz * The Producer's Business Handbook (Book & CD-ROM) by John J. Lee, Jr. I also posted links to some free articles in the source box. Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Question: what is the best equipment for starting a small business in video production? I want to start my own video production small business. But I'm not sure what equipment (video camera, flashes, etc) buy? I've seen that profesional video cameras are very expensive. I'm on a budget of $3,000, please help!!! Also, I need to know what video editing software would be the best for me. Thank's a lot!

Answer: 3K is really too small a budget if you don't already have a computer that is video editing ready. If you have to buy a new computer, that will chew up a lot of your investment. But first, you need to analyse the requirements of your (potential) clients. What resolution level will they need? If they want to make adverts for air on television or cable, then you will have to be able to work with uncompressed or lightly compressed source video. If we are talking Weddings for the pleasure of mom and pop that will play on VHS, then HDD or DVD cameras will be suitable. Speaking of events, that almost always demands a second camera for cover shots. If you are working mostly indoors, you will need lighting gear. If you need audio of high clarity, then that ups the requirements considerably. Hopefully your clients will want your creativity and skill rather than come simply to rent out your equipment. If there are other videographers in your area, find what equipment works for them. If it is out of your budget then work out an arrangement for renting on an as needed basis. Even a busy videographer usually has more equipment than needed for everyday use. Also some projects require a crew of people, and getting on their A list will give you the real experience that you seem to need at this point. This is a collegiative business at best, so join the band.

Question: Do you consider video production an art? I'm in a video production class at my school and I think that it takes artistic talent to be able to get good shots that portray emotion/get a point across. (or just don't have any shake without using a tripod). I just wanna know what all you people out there think about this.

Answer: Getting good shots takes a good eye... Putting together a good video is much more than simply getting good shots and can definitely be an art form.

Question: What are the best Universities in the US for video production careers? I have been wondering what a good University might be to go to for a career in video production, such as being a director.

Answer: http://www.ucas.com/ ▀dont▀ █mess█ █with█ ▀▄kenny▄▀

Question: If i wanted to start my own video production, what should i do? I was thinking of starting my own video production company. I wanted to know what kind of laws govern this business (copyrights) How is money made in this business, if i wanted to shoot a documentary to whom are the videos usually sold to and what is involved in advertising the films. Anyone with knowledge in the industry or any insite please feel free to leave me some tips thanks

Answer: the producer of a video owns the copyright. that also is the person that will be sued for any infringements. you normally produce for a client. the most common client is the mother of the bride. the most common documentary is the wedding. producing on speculation normally is not profitable except in cases of blackmail. if you are producing for theatrical release, then getting displayed at Sundance or other festivals can lead to a distribution contract. otherwise you are out your own money, unless you had investors. there are other niches in the industry depending on who you know, such as news/vnr, advertising spots, community access on cable, instructional/educational, ...

Question: What is a good name for a video production group? Me and a few friends are going to make a video production thing on youtube. Nothing huge just for something to do this summer. Does any one have an idea for name?

Answer: lights, camera, action? or something along those lines

Question: Where can I go to find good job/internships in " video production"? My major in college is "video production", which involve's video editing/ect..I already asked my school, but they were not help, sense I don't have that many credits in the field!! The summer is comming up and I really need to find something quickly!! Is there any websites I can go to find local internships??

Answer: Internships at cox radio,fox networks and so forth are available in alot of areas. Be careful however,you can get trapped in them. Most companies will let you come into them on internships.However, don't expect them to want to hire you after the internship period is over. They will want to bring in another intern instead of hiring you. Free labor. Good Luck and have fun.