From: "Christopher Bacon" <KA2IQB@worldnet.att.net>
To: <Derriik@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [TIG] Getting Started
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1998 15:52:36 -0500

>[...] Can the members provide me with some suggestions on what I
>might be able to do to begin a career in post production?  I
>appreciate any and all answers.  --derrick

Hi Derrick,

You may be interested to know that while most people holding
responsible positions in post production are college educated, it's
frequently the case that their degrees have little to do with what
they are doing now.  Most good careers in post are not directly
obtainable on the strength of a degree.  While it will get you in the
door somewhere, you'd better expect lots of long hours at low pay as
some prima donna's assistant before they let you touch anything
yourself.  And when they do, you'd better treat it as the best break
anybody ever gave you even if it's just dailies and dubs on the
graveyard shift.  Or the facility is so far down on the food chain
that little old ladies don't even stop by with their 8mm home movies.

Once you put some time in actually doing the job, you must work your
way up to bigger and better projects with modern equipment.  This is a
tightrope act: video is a small world, and pushy, agressive types are
long remembered--particularly if they only have mediocre talent.
Finally, after you've got enough feathers in your cap, you'll be able
to say you've arrived.

In college, somebody interested in being a colorist might consider the
following:

1. Film courses.  Not that you'll be called on to direct or run the
camera (you'll be seeing the material after somebody else has done all
that), but you should know what goes on at a shoot and be able to
converse with DPs and cinematographers about such things as lighting
and exposure, and film stocks.  A smattering of film editing is
helpful as well.  You should understand composition, particularly in
regards to how images shot for a big theater screen are translated to
a smaller video screen.  Anything having to do with lab technique
should be carefully noted, as you will be called upon to discuss the
inevitable problems that arise with lab representatives.

2. Video courses.  You should understand the strengths and weaknesses
of the common analog and digital tape formats.  Although you won't be
expected to set up or maintain facilities (unless you become an
engineer), you should understand how audio and video signals are
measured and handled in a facility.  Everything you can possibly learn
about time code, edit decision lists, and audio syncing will come in
handy.  Don't spend too much time trying to learn the subtle details
of every piece of equipment they have in school; that stuff is often
ten years out of date and since no two facilities are ever exactly
alike, they will give you a chance to familiarize yourself with the
specifics of what you'll work with.

3. Communications.  You need to be able to speak as effectively and
tactfully as a master statesman, otherwise you won't get very far in
this business no matter how good your other skills are!

Finally, if there is any possibility of getting an internship, jump on
it.

Best regards,
Christopher Bacon