Validity of AMVs in college applications.

BasharOfTheAges · Post by **BasharOfTheAges** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 4:25 pm

If you're attempting to get a job editing a degree might not be the best thing to facilitate that. Most jobs in the arts and entertainment industry rely not on what piece of paper you have and more about who you know. Connections trump degrees (especially degrees higher than a BS or BA). Not that you shouldn't get certificates and receive formal training in various programs or anything... just don't expect a Masters' degree to be your ticket to a large host of jobs in the industry.

On the flip side, your knowledge in CS/CE along with a stint at an art school might help you land a decent Job at Adobe or something. Your main asset would be that you would know multiple aspects of digital media production (hardware, software, art). Just be careful, know if the industry niche you're looking to fill will accept you and if it's big enough that if you get an MA you're not "educating yourself" out of a job.

piedpiper · Post by **piedpiper** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 4:52 pm

BasharOfTheAges wrote:If you're attempting to get a job editing a degree might not be the best thing to facilitate that. Most jobs in the arts and entertainment industry rely not on what piece of paper you have and more about who you know. Connections trump degrees (especially degrees higher than a BS or BA). Not that you shouldn't get certificates and receive formal training in various programs or anything... just don't expect a Masters' degree to be your ticket to a large host of jobs in the industry.

Now I'm really confused. That contacts thing will be quite an issue, especially seeing that i don't plan on working where i currently reside. I understand how connections trump degrees in this business, but i doubt there aren't alternatives.
My main reason for taking the Master's would be to understand the teaching methods and increase my awareness of the industry. As great as being self-taught is, it has its disadvantages.

BasharOfTheAges wrote:Just be careful, know if the industry niche you're looking to fill will accept you and if it's big enough that if you get an MA you're not "educating yourself" out of a job.

Yes, that is something i'm taking care to try and avoid. The research on the job market for video producers is going on right now

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DeinReich · Post by **DeinReich** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:40 pm

Even if you don't plan on working around where you live, you are going to have to start local so you can get those contacts. My first editing jobs were free, but they got me contacts and business cards that have proved very valuable. I don't plan on working anywhere near where I live eventually, but I had to start somewhere, as do you.

Lord Rae · Post by **Lord Rae** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:33 pm

It can be tricky to get a job as an editor. My AMV's got me a job working professionally as an editor. That job led me to my first after college job editing the news for a nationally syndicated show.

Although when I decided to leave for brighter prospects it was incredibly hard to find another editing gig despite 3 years of on the job experience editing professionally.

Depends on the economy and the market I suppose. I'm working with satellites and the military now atm...although that was thanks to business contacts I got at my first job and experience I got on the job working with the equipment I'm using now.

Don't discount anything if it can get your foot in the door.

piedpiper · Post by **piedpiper** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 2:03 am

DeinReich wrote:Even if you don't plan on working around where you live, you are going to have to start local so you can get those contacts. My first editing jobs were free, but they got me contacts and business cards that have proved very valuable. I don't plan on working anywhere near where I live eventually, but I had to start somewhere, as do you.

Hmm, I understand, but the first step to that would be deciding what degree to take after this. I will be taking that outside of here. I am doubtful my AMVs/general music videos will land me a job after just my Bachelor's.

Perhaps a goal would help you frame your advice. Eventually, as like, the ultimate goal i am working for, my dream, is to work for the Pixar Animation Studio.

Now if what Bashar said is true and i could end up 'educating myself out of a job', I dunno what degree would be the best choice after this. Could someone suggest any other degrees/professions that teach/require a similar skill set? One that seems more lucrative than an editing job as it seems to be quite a small, specialized niche. Of course I am not limited to just video editing, I'm definitely not afraid of learning animation >.<. Just to know my options.

Megamom · Post by **Megamom** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 11:59 am

I took classes at the university of "audiovisual production" And my AMVs has no APPROVAL here ...

-GfN- · Post by **-GfN-** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 12:06 pm

over here in germany, I wouldn't even think of including them in my portfolio (besides, portfolio requirements are pretty clear).
and even if you'd know they allow it somehow, I still don't get why people ask about it or get the idea it might impress people in the industry (even if rare cases do exist).
also, I don't know how it's being handled in the U.S., but in berlin/germany the portfolio has to be either copyright-clear or permissioned by the artist.

piedpiper · Post by **piedpiper** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 3:26 pm

Megamom wrote:I took classes at the university of "audiovisual production" And my AMVs has no APPROVAL here ...

I feel for you man =P

-GfN wrote:over here in germany, I wouldn't even think of including them in my portfolio (besides, portfolio requirements are pretty clear).
and even if you'd know they allow it somehow, I still don't get why people ask about it or get the idea it might impress people in the industry (even if rare cases do exist).

You see GfN, I have no idea what a good demo reel entails. I have no basis for reference as i have no friends around interested in the same. Really, my only source is animated features, i can only try to spot what sets the good ones from the bad and learn from those.
But I guess it's clear what i have to do. I will continue to make AMVs over the next years, as a means to improve my technical capabilities. I'll also get to work studying animation software and the like. Gotta get what's in me out there man.
And with that added capability, I shall work on my reel to end all reels, for which i have quite a few ideas already (but no means to translate digitally yet) =D

As for my choice of degree, I am still in splits. *whimper*

Castor Troy · Post by **Castor Troy** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 4:32 pm

piedpiper wrote:
Megamom wrote:I took classes at the university of "audiovisual production" And my AMVs has no APPROVAL here ...
I feel for you man =P

-GfN wrote:over here in germany, I wouldn't even think of including them in my portfolio (besides, portfolio requirements are pretty clear).
and even if you'd know they allow it somehow, I still don't get why people ask about it or get the idea it might impress people in the industry (even if rare cases do exist).
You see GfN, I have no idea what a good demo reel entails. I have no basis for reference as i have no friends around interested in the same. Really, my only source is animated features, i can only try to spot what sets the good ones from the bad and learn from those.
But I guess it's clear what i have to do. I will continue to make AMVs over the next years, as a means to improve my technical capabilities. I'll also get to work studying animation software and the like. Gotta get what's in me out there man.
And with that added capability, I shall work on my reel to end all reels, for which i have quite a few ideas already (but no means to translate digitally yet) =D

As for my choice of degree, I am still in splits. *whimper*

A good demo reel should show what you're capable of doing. Most demo reels mostly focus on showing the types of things that editors do like documentaries, commercials, feature films, etc.

If you're using amvs in a demo reel, make the focus of the reel more geared towards audio/video synchronization, original compositions, etc.

According to your profile, it seems you haven't made an amv yet, so I would suggest starting on one ASAP so you'll be familiar with the concept of flow and editing.

One of the best ways, if not the best way to learn about videos is actually making them. You can read all the tutorials and tips from people all you want, but none of that compares to actually working on a video yourself and you'll see that it's ALOT different than you expect.

Video editing is something you learn by doing.