Career Advice (sound engineering)
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Unless you have "connections" with someone in the music/recording business, I imagine you would need to go to college to study sound engineering. Unfortunately, it's not like the old days where someone like Geoff Emerick just walks into EMI at age 16 and gets a job!!
Maybe this will help: http://visit.artinstitutes.edu/SERCH/Dynamic/MultiStepTest.aspx?RIFID=2731&source=psbng&CID=GOOGS_AIWA_0911_SRCH_001&pcrid=783865627&keyword=sound%20engineer&type=p&kwid=12421198527&account=bing We have an Art Institute here in Atlanta. -
mydaybreaks:
I am so fascinated in the way music sounds, I want to become a sound engineer.
In the words of our beloved hero... "Never stop doing what you LOVE" This thought is particularly important when choosing a career as you will be spending a vast portion of your life dedicated to your career. Best of luck with you quest...
THANK YOU, (((((PAUL)))))!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!
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mydaybreaks:
Being in High School has made think about what I want to be when I grow up to be a man (Beach Boys reference). and I am so fascinated in the way music sounds, I want to become a sound engineer. What I have read on the internet hasn't been good. Most people say it is an awful choice, you get paid very little and start out by running errands. Do any fellow forum friends have any advice or suggestions?
One of my students went to a college in Florida for exactly the same thing--I believe it's called Full Sail, and it's a fantastic, well-respected, and worth a look, at least. One of my colleagues started out as a sound engineer, then realized he loved Vermont and his fiance too much to leave the area, so he's now teaching video and sound production in our local technical center. My suggestions are to try to intern for a person or studio you like, and if you do a good enough job, they'll be willing to help you out in terms of networking, giving advice, and even setting you up with a job.
It's grunt work at first, but that's how you make a name for yourself and get those all-important connections. 
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mydaybreaks is a nice young man who made a video with his little brother some time ago that was incredibly cool... ... best of luck to you buddy
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SurSteven:
mydaybreaks is a nice young man who made a video with his little brother some time ago that was incredibly cool...
Thought this was adorable!!!
http://maccaboard.paulmccartney.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=2505280#2505280
THANK YOU, (((((PAUL)))))!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!
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very cool. I remember that. Job well done!
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Wow. The people on this board are so encouraging and kind. Thanks for the advice!
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my friends son just got out of school for sound.. He's in film or TV. He started school in Oregon but realized he needed to be in LA where it all happening. So he picked a school there. He been offered a lot of internships but has not landed full time job. He was sitting in the waiting room for a interview with CBS and Dyan Cannon(she was a big star) came in looking for a sound guy. He jumped up and told them he was a sound person and they used him that day. turned out CBS was looking for a intern too, no pay. He been free lancing and making about 300 a job. He worked on a George Lucus film but no pay, just experience and he was listed on the credits. He love what he does and is frustrated he has not landed a job. He done short films and was invited in a few film fests for his work and was written up. I know LA is expensive and his parents have help him out a lot. The schools also expensive but that is where the work is. Depending where you live you might look around and see if there any music studios in you area and ask them if you could sit in and watch. Tell them you have a interest. You never know they might put you to work and train you or tell you where the best place to go for training. Also you will get a real day to day look at the job. If there is not one in your town find the nearest one and don't take no for a answer. This will be a competitive business. You going to get a lot of rejection before things pay off and you got to be aggressive. Feel the fear and do it anyway. I do know a lot of schools offer this kind of program. Be careful that their not just expensive and giving you training that not going to ever get you a job. Talk to real sound engineer. See where they got their training and where they recommend. Also you might have to live away from your family to find work. Hope this helps but always follow your dreams. We can rationalized and look at life logically and end up with a boring, good paying job we hate. Do it while your young, single and stay focus on doing it. Don't let anyone tell you you can't. Just know luck is preparation meets opportunity.
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I wish I could have had you talk to my son 2 years ago! (I tried & he would never listen to me) He graduated from college (here in GA) with a degree in Film & Video and because of his reluctance to move, hasn't done anything with it. (I think he mostly didn't want to leave his then-girlfriend behind!) He does have a job here (in retail) and knows he'd have to quit it to even get any job here in Atlanta in the field as it would all be freelance work, not a steady job. He is also a musician and plays lead guitar & drums--would love for him to get into that if not Film work. He's 25 and I hate to see him waste his life!
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Nancy R:
I wish I could have had you talk to my son 2 years ago! (I tried & he would never listen to me) He graduated from college (here in GA) with a degree in Film & Video and because of his reluctance to move, hasn't done anything with it. (I think he mostly didn't want to leave his then-girlfriend behind!) He does have a job here (in retail) and knows he'd have to quit it to even get any job here in Atlanta in the field as it would all be freelance work, not a steady job. He is also a musician and plays lead guitar & drums--would love for him to get into that if not Film work. He's 25 and I hate to see him waste his life!
I have two kids 25, 28 and my oldest I feel that way. You can't go to school for ambition. My younest is the opposite. She was 5 credit short of her getting AA with honors to go become a Esthetician. I don't doubt she'll make it. I betting she have a salon in just a few years. I did have her talk to someone I used to use. She actully write text books for the schools so really know the inside out of the business. She loves what she does and makes good money. I had her interview all three schools. Just wish she get the AA for the sheep skin. The oldest has never had any zip but she says she happy. I was hoping she marry well. LOL.
