If you could work at a Studio, which would it be? - Blu-ray Forum

LynxFX · 10-05-2007, 07:07 AM

So I'm starting the early stages of moving out to LA and I'm looking to get work in the film industry. I've been in a small independent production company for awhile now I'm looking to move on to bigger and better things. So if you could only pick one Studio to work for, who would it be and why?

And if you really want to get into details I'm looking to be an editor and moving up to directing or second unit directing since that is what I've been doing here for the past 4 years.

jedisinclair · 10-05-2007, 11:18 AM

I'd get hired by a "Blu" studio like Sony, Fox, Disney and I'd have them hire me as a double agent, so that when I went to work for Universal (under cover) I could be a voice for Blu-ray... and if they didn't listen, I'd say we blow the f'ers up (Booger, from Revenge of the Nerds, a Fox film btw)

LynxFX · 10-05-2007, 08:05 PM

All kidding aside I was looking more at the Blu-ray exclusive studios first but of course I'll take anything I can get. Hell this past weekend I worked on a Paramount feature. Talk about sleeping with the enemy.

BTBuck1 · 10-05-2007, 08:43 PM

Vivid

gvortex7 · 10-06-2007, 12:04 AM

Lionsgate in my opinion would be easier to get into than the major studios, but I believe they're in Vancouver. That city is beautiful as well. This could be food for thought.

Not to mention that Lionsgate has been on a roll with many solid releases in recent years, so they're no slouches.

LynxFX · 10-06-2007, 07:21 PM

Lionsgate is a great Studio but LA is definitely the place I'm moving to so they're out. The Studios that I have had some prior experience with would be Warners, Fox, Paramount and Sony so I will probably check out my feelers with them first. I do have a friend that works for Dreamworks that I hope to get to chat with this weekend.

What's more important, getting a paying job or supporting Blu-ray?

aristotles · 10-06-2007, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LynxFX

What's more important, getting a paying job or supporting Blu-ray?

My advice would be to keep your personal preferences personal and consider the job a way to a means. Your job will provide you with the cash to live and buy the blu-ray titles you enjoy.

It's not going to do blu-ray a lot of good if you pass up employment opportunities over whether a studio supports your chosen format at the moment as you will not be able to buy blu-ray without a job anyway.

Rob71 · 10-06-2007, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTBuck1

Vivid

I see we think alike.

MouseRider · 10-07-2007, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LynxFX

So I'm starting the early stages of moving out to LA and I'm looking to get work in the film industry. I've been in a small independent production company for awhile now I'm looking to move on to bigger and better things. So if you could only pick one Studio to work for, who would it be and why?

And if you really want to get into details I'm looking to be an editor and moving up to directing or second unit directing since that is what I've been doing here for the past 4 years.

Well, I would say it depends on what you're looking for when you say "bigger and better things".

The cookie cutter entry positions in the larger studios could be much more restrictive than the indies that you might be familiar with. Don't necessarily assume that the pay will be better and definitely don't assume that you'll automatically have the opportunity to learn. You might find it restrictive, mundane and repetitive if you're unlucky.

What you might want to look into is if you can get some recommendations within your current circle since you're already in the industry. You might be able to find a production that needs an apprentice with a good principal.

Paired with the right people is what I've always found to work best, not only do you get to learn from a more experienced and open person, you get to meet people in the direction you want to head towards and expose yourself to the environment in that direction.

Best of luck!

P.S. Yes, I'm in the industry as well.

w_tanoto · 10-07-2007, 11:20 AM

disney forever

Polyh3dron · 10-08-2007, 12:32 AM

If you're looking to pursue directing or editing, you don't usually work for the studio directly.. It will be producers of the movies/TV shows that hire you, they're the ones who deal with the studios. That being said, Warner is really the studio cranking out the highest volume of good movies these days, and they've got a nice lot. Sony Studios is a nice lot too but it's all the way out in Culver City which isn't cool if you live in Hollywood, Burbank or the valley.

But to reiterate MouseRider's point, it'll be easier to start off in the independent world and less restrictive. Get some assistant editing gigs on some indie flicks to get enough hours to get in the Editors Guild. It'll also help you establish a network of contacts.

broganreynik · 10-08-2007, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gvortex7

Lionsgate in my opinion would be easier to get into than the major studios, but I believe they're in Vancouver. That city is beautiful as well. This could be food for thought.

Not to mention that Lionsgate has been on a roll with many solid releases in recent years, so they're no slouches.

I was gonna say Lionsgate too. To me they seem to take more chances with their movies than say WB and Paramount.

Kristin Simard · 10-08-2007, 06:08 AM

It is a matter of being in the right place at the right time. If you can show that you have what they need when they need it...so you have to put yourself in a lot of places. Don't restrict yourself at this stage. Even if you got into a non-blu studio, you might over time be able to influence people on some level, but don't count it. Just set a strategy for yourself if you do get into that situation. You are trying to build experience, not change the world.

Inquire at ALL of the studios. Disney has been the starting point for a lot of filmmakers. Starting at any level can enable you to network. Some directors started in the Disney mail room. It may not be glamorous at first.

Networking is a big thing. You can start with your current job.
LA is a good choice. Many places to cross-over to in LA. Try to have a cash reserve so you have the option to bail out of an unfulfilling job.

I'm in the industry, too. Some of the more successful people I have met have been friendly, personable and engaging every step of the way. Try not to burn any bridges.

Hit the pavement and have fun while you are doing it. While I agree with MouseRider, remember there are no set rules for making it in film. People all start out with a different hand of cards. Know your cards and learn to play them.

LynxFX · 10-08-2007, 06:10 AM

Thanks for all the advice guys. I'm actually thinking of living down by Culver City or Venice so the Sony lot would be ideal. Just checked it out today and it is really nice and the neighborhoods are affordable. After talking to some people today I think I just need to put together my reel and will probably start looking there first. I'm tired of the independant scene and I've been the lead editor on a couple big projects so hopefully with the right paperwork I can start applying for the guilds. The whole strike coming up isn't exactly helping things though.

LynxFX · 03-24-2008, 10:53 PM

Good news, I got a position with Fox, doing flash design for their reality shows. Moving out to LA in 2 weeks. Should be some fun times.

Rob71 · 03-25-2008, 12:20 AM

Good luck with the new job. Keep your ears open in the elevators, cafeteria, and washrooms, we expect regular reports on upcoming Blu-Ray activity.

iNCREDiPiNOY · 03-25-2008, 12:41 AM

Digital Playhouse

Anthony P · 03-25-2008, 01:31 AM

good luck on the new job

Marquoz · 03-25-2008, 07:33 AM

Good luck with it, when you can tell us exactly what to look for, give us a shout so we can say we know you to our friends when it airs!

tron3 · 03-25-2008, 01:19 PM

Warner is the biggest and makes the most money, so I'd say there is good job security there. If you work for Paramount, see what you can do about getting Transformers out the door for us.

10-05-2007, 07:07 AM	#1
LynxFX Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2007	If you could work at a Studio, which would it be? So I'm starting the early stages of moving out to LA and I'm looking to get work in the film industry. I've been in a small independent production company for awhile now I'm looking to move on to bigger and better things. So if you could only pick one Studio to work for, who would it be and why? And if you really want to get into details I'm looking to be an editor and moving up to directing or second unit directing since that is what I've been doing here for the past 4 years.

10-08-2007, 12:32 AM	#11
Polyh3dron Senior Member Member since:Dec 2006	If you're looking to pursue directing or editing, you don't usually work for the studio directly.. It will be producers of the movies/TV shows that hire you, they're the ones who deal with the studios. That being said, Warner is really the studio cranking out the highest volume of good movies these days, and they've got a nice lot. Sony Studios is a nice lot too but it's all the way out in Culver City which isn't cool if you live in Hollywood, Burbank or the valley. But to reiterate MouseRider's point, it'll be easier to start off in the independent world and less restrictive. Get some assistant editing gigs on some indie flicks to get enough hours to get in the Editors Guild. It'll also help you establish a network of contacts. Last edited by Polyh3dron; 10-08-2007 at 12:35 AM.

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10-05-2007, 11:18 AM	#2
jedisinclair Senior Member Member since:Nov 2006 Blu-ray collection:42 Trading Score:3	I'd get hired by a "Blu" studio like Sony, Fox, Disney and I'd have them hire me as a double agent, so that when I went to work for Universal (under cover) I could be a voice for Blu-ray... and if they didn't listen, I'd say we blow the f'ers up (Booger, from Revenge of the Nerds, a Fox film btw)

10-05-2007, 08:05 PM	#3
LynxFX Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2007	All kidding aside I was looking more at the Blu-ray exclusive studios first but of course I'll take anything I can get. Hell this past weekend I worked on a Paramount feature. Talk about sleeping with the enemy.

10-05-2007, 08:43 PM	#4
BTBuck1 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2006 Location:Oceanside, CA. Blu-ray collection:507 DVD collection:1	Vivid

10-06-2007, 12:04 AM	#5
gvortex7 Blu-ray Champion Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Fort Lauderdale, FL Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:105	Lionsgate in my opinion would be easier to get into than the major studios, but I believe they're in Vancouver. That city is beautiful as well. This could be food for thought. Not to mention that Lionsgate has been on a roll with many solid releases in recent years, so they're no slouches.

10-06-2007, 07:21 PM	#6
LynxFX Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2007	Lionsgate is a great Studio but LA is definitely the place I'm moving to so they're out. The Studios that I have had some prior experience with would be Warners, Fox, Paramount and Sony so I will probably check out my feelers with them first. I do have a friend that works for Dreamworks that I hope to get to chat with this weekend. What's more important, getting a paying job or supporting Blu-ray?

10-07-2007, 11:20 AM	#10
w_tanoto Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Hatfield, UK / Jakarta, Indonesia Blu-ray collection:37 Blu-ray reviews:47	disney forever

10-08-2007, 06:08 AM	#13
Kristin Simard Special Member Member since:Aug 2007	It is a matter of being in the right place at the right time. If you can show that you have what they need when they need it...so you have to put yourself in a lot of places. Don't restrict yourself at this stage. Even if you got into a non-blu studio, you might over time be able to influence people on some level, but don't count it. Just set a strategy for yourself if you do get into that situation. You are trying to build experience, not change the world. Inquire at ALL of the studios. Disney has been the starting point for a lot of filmmakers. Starting at any level can enable you to network. Some directors started in the Disney mail room. It may not be glamorous at first. Networking is a big thing. You can start with your current job. LA is a good choice. Many places to cross-over to in LA. Try to have a cash reserve so you have the option to bail out of an unfulfilling job. I'm in the industry, too. Some of the more successful people I have met have been friendly, personable and engaging every step of the way. Try not to burn any bridges. Hit the pavement and have fun while you are doing it. While I agree with MouseRider, remember there are no set rules for making it in film. People all start out with a different hand of cards. Know your cards and learn to play them.

10-08-2007, 06:10 AM	#14
LynxFX Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2007	Thanks for all the advice guys. I'm actually thinking of living down by Culver City or Venice so the Sony lot would be ideal. Just checked it out today and it is really nice and the neighborhoods are affordable. After talking to some people today I think I just need to put together my reel and will probably start looking there first. I'm tired of the independant scene and I've been the lead editor on a couple big projects so hopefully with the right paperwork I can start applying for the guilds. The whole strike coming up isn't exactly helping things though.

03-24-2008, 10:53 PM	#15
LynxFX Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2007	Good news, I got a position with Fox, doing flash design for their reality shows. Moving out to LA in 2 weeks. Should be some fun times.

03-25-2008, 12:20 AM	#16
Rob71 Blu-ray Knight Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Florida Home Theater Gallery:13 Blu-ray collection:295 Trading Score:5	Good luck with the new job. Keep your ears open in the elevators, cafeteria, and washrooms, we expect regular reports on upcoming Blu-Ray activity.

03-25-2008, 12:41 AM	#17
iNCREDiPiNOY Banned Member since:Aug 2007 Location:NoHo, Cali PSN:iNCREDiPiNOY Wii:6379344902430379 Blu-ray collection:143 Trading Score:16	Digital Playhouse

03-25-2008, 01:31 AM	#18
Anthony P Blu-ray Count Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Montreal, Canada	good luck on the new job

03-25-2008, 07:33 AM	#19
Marquoz Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jan 2008 Location:New Orleans Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:167 Trading Score:2	Good luck with it, when you can tell us exactly what to look for, give us a shout so we can say we know you to our friends when it airs!

03-25-2008, 01:19 PM	#20
tron3 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Aug 2004 Location:New Jersey Blu-ray reviews:3	Warner is the biggest and makes the most money, so I'd say there is good job security there. If you work for Paramount, see what you can do about getting Transformers out the door for us.

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