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The Basement
In my 3rd year of High School... Now what?
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<blockquote data-quote="Charlie Zureki" data-source="post: 39863" data-attributes="member: 153"><p>Re: In my 3rd year of High School... Now what?</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p> Hello, </p><p></p><p> and a hearty +1 to Bennett's and John's responses... but, in your first post, you mentioned that you were interested in Sound Engineering and Designing Stage set-ups. </p><p></p><p> These may be considered differing occupations, totally unrelated to some, or, may be a natural occupational progression in other's eyes. Live Sound and Live traditional Theatre have differing views and traditions. Many of the best Stage Designers have come up through the ranks of live events (Concert Productions), where as in Theatre, they may have started in the Business or Art end of the business . </p><p></p><p> Starting their careers as Lighting Techs/LDs, Riggers, Back Line Techs, (even some Sound Techs) etc... working and learning other's positions, most often wearing multiple hats throughout different Live Music Concert Tours or Productions, may find themselves as Stage Managers, then on to Production Managers and Stage Designers and, is not uncommon. </p><p></p><p> I have been asked by possibly hundreds of younger people over the decades I've been involved in Live Events/Recorded Productions, as to how they could break into the business, or even the Sound business... Then, they seemed to become frustrated by MY slew of questions before I answer their seemingly simple question... </p><p></p><p> My questions have, and always will be:</p><p></p><p> Do you understand that these occupations often require working Holidays and weekends?</p><p> That you cannot count on working a standard 40 hour work-week? There may be many times where you don't work at all during a specific week?</p><p> That it's not uncommon to work 60,70 or even more, hours in one week?</p><p> That you may be required to work 20+ hours in one day? </p><p> That you need to decline many Birthday, Wedding, Anniversary, Family get-together invitations?</p><p> That missing your kid's special days, football games, dance recitals go with the job?</p><p> That this business can be feast or famine?</p><p></p><p> And...if they've specifically mentioned "Sound"... I ask, where do you see yourself involved in Sound? </p><p></p><p> Are you asking about:</p><p></p><p> a) Recording Studios... typically, you'll not make very much money unless you own the Studio. Expect to work any and all hours of the day and night, and possibly loooong days/nights. </p><p></p><p> b) Television Station Sound/board OP.... pretty much a slow paced, decent paycheck, job. Generally there's a schedule, but, the schedule can change at a moment's notice, you may have to cover a shift for an absent co-worker, or last minute gravy gig. (probably the most predictable Sound Occupation) </p><p> </p><p> c) Live Concert Sound Freelance Occupation... Feast or Famine...(and that's if you're in demand ;o). Can make a really good income when you're working. Long hours, hectic schedule, missing all of those special days, very competitive. ( not very good occupation for the Family man)</p><p></p><p> d) Sound Tech with Touring Sound System Provider ...generally, more steady income than above, but, work condition requirements are pretty much the same. Travel and the opportunity to see the World in some cases.</p><p></p><p> e) A/V Sound tech... Ballroom Corpy gigs, good to excellent money, long hours of boring drivel. Generally no holiday work (maybe New Year's Eve) Lots of one day events, with some multiple day events mixed in. Travel may be required, no Tour buses, just buses, planes, trains or driving/riding in the Corpy truck. Anywhere from four inputs to dozens. Have to be dilligent as there's no room for mistakes (feedback/muted Mics/missed cues) because of Audio feed to Video & recording.</p><p> </p><p> f) Movie Sound recordist/Editor... good to excellent money, long hours, no days off during production, typically slow paced. Dilligence required. Travel is required. </p><p></p><p> g) Acoustician... College Degree required, lots of Math, Licensing test for Consulting. Generally, regular work week and work hours. Good choice for the Family Man. Travel Required.</p><p></p><p> h) Electronic Design Engineer for Sound Equipment Manufacturer .... College Degree in Electronics or Electrical Engineering, Math and Electronic Concepts a must, little to no travel, Good to Excellent income, 40 hour work weeks and standard schedules. </p><p></p><p> i) Sound System Designer/ Installer ...College Degree required by most large scale companies, Licensing may be required, 40+hour work week, good to excellent money, usually with benefits package, some local travel, and long distance travel for larger scale Companies. Systems for Boardrooms, Theatres, Schools, Churches, Airports, Malls, Restaurants, etc.. </p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Deciding what you want to do with your life at a young age is tough, but, whatever you decide, make sure you're doing it for the right reasons.</p><p></p><p> Good Luck, </p><p> Hammer</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Charlie Zureki, post: 39863, member: 153"] Re: In my 3rd year of High School... Now what? Hello, and a hearty +1 to Bennett's and John's responses... but, in your first post, you mentioned that you were interested in Sound Engineering and Designing Stage set-ups. These may be considered differing occupations, totally unrelated to some, or, may be a natural occupational progression in other's eyes. Live Sound and Live traditional Theatre have differing views and traditions. Many of the best Stage Designers have come up through the ranks of live events (Concert Productions), where as in Theatre, they may have started in the Business or Art end of the business . Starting their careers as Lighting Techs/LDs, Riggers, Back Line Techs, (even some Sound Techs) etc... working and learning other's positions, most often wearing multiple hats throughout different Live Music Concert Tours or Productions, may find themselves as Stage Managers, then on to Production Managers and Stage Designers and, is not uncommon. I have been asked by possibly hundreds of younger people over the decades I've been involved in Live Events/Recorded Productions, as to how they could break into the business, or even the Sound business... Then, they seemed to become frustrated by MY slew of questions before I answer their seemingly simple question... My questions have, and always will be: Do you understand that these occupations often require working Holidays and weekends? That you cannot count on working a standard 40 hour work-week? There may be many times where you don't work at all during a specific week? That it's not uncommon to work 60,70 or even more, hours in one week? That you may be required to work 20+ hours in one day? That you need to decline many Birthday, Wedding, Anniversary, Family get-together invitations? That missing your kid's special days, football games, dance recitals go with the job? That this business can be feast or famine? And...if they've specifically mentioned "Sound"... I ask, where do you see yourself involved in Sound? Are you asking about: a) Recording Studios... typically, you'll not make very much money unless you own the Studio. Expect to work any and all hours of the day and night, and possibly loooong days/nights. b) Television Station Sound/board OP.... pretty much a slow paced, decent paycheck, job. Generally there's a schedule, but, the schedule can change at a moment's notice, you may have to cover a shift for an absent co-worker, or last minute gravy gig. (probably the most predictable Sound Occupation) c) Live Concert Sound Freelance Occupation... Feast or Famine...(and that's if you're in demand ;o). Can make a really good income when you're working. Long hours, hectic schedule, missing all of those special days, very competitive. ( not very good occupation for the Family man) d) Sound Tech with Touring Sound System Provider ...generally, more steady income than above, but, work condition requirements are pretty much the same. Travel and the opportunity to see the World in some cases. e) A/V Sound tech... Ballroom Corpy gigs, good to excellent money, long hours of boring drivel. Generally no holiday work (maybe New Year's Eve) Lots of one day events, with some multiple day events mixed in. Travel may be required, no Tour buses, just buses, planes, trains or driving/riding in the Corpy truck. Anywhere from four inputs to dozens. Have to be dilligent as there's no room for mistakes (feedback/muted Mics/missed cues) because of Audio feed to Video & recording. f) Movie Sound recordist/Editor... good to excellent money, long hours, no days off during production, typically slow paced. Dilligence required. Travel is required. g) Acoustician... College Degree required, lots of Math, Licensing test for Consulting. Generally, regular work week and work hours. Good choice for the Family Man. Travel Required. h) Electronic Design Engineer for Sound Equipment Manufacturer .... College Degree in Electronics or Electrical Engineering, Math and Electronic Concepts a must, little to no travel, Good to Excellent income, 40 hour work weeks and standard schedules. i) Sound System Designer/ Installer ...College Degree required by most large scale companies, Licensing may be required, 40+hour work week, good to excellent money, usually with benefits package, some local travel, and long distance travel for larger scale Companies. Systems for Boardrooms, Theatres, Schools, Churches, Airports, Malls, Restaurants, etc.. Deciding what you want to do with your life at a young age is tough, but, whatever you decide, make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. Good Luck, Hammer [/QUOTE]
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In my 3rd year of High School... Now what?
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