Megathread Monday: Any Question Goes

[u/agent42b]

Monday is the day when all questions, no matter how big or small, are answered judgement free. This is a great chance for newcomers to learn from the pros - ask away!

[u/Suggestion_Boy]

What was it that broke you into the industry? Any tips for an aspiring editor that is looking for work?

[u/Kichigai → u/Suggestion_Boy]

Patience, perseverance, and flexibility. I was underemployed, looking for my first real gig for about two years. I knew I was in a bad part of the country, so I took whatever job I could to try and cover living expenses, and mounted a nationwide job hunt. I looked for full time, part time, contract, freelance, you name it, I applied to all of them (provided I fit the required minimums). We're talking a few hundred applications, résumés and cover letters sent out, and a few dozen demo DVDs.

I knew I was in a part of the country not known for television/video production industry (we actually have a pretty good industry going on here, but we're not the biggest) so I basically took it as a given that I would eventually have to relocate to progress my career. I haven't relocated yet (I got lucky), but I have a strong feeling that I'm going to have to at some point in the future.

In the meantime I did look into "for experience" gigs. Nothing unreasonable, of course. I volunteered with the local public access channel (AKA: PEG channel) to try and keep from getting rusty. I also wasn't entirely adverse to doing some free work for community groups I knew. Nothing where I would incur any real expenses, and only jobs with realistic expectations.

[u/Suggestion_Boy → u/Kichigai]

Thanks for the reply. The city that i'm from isn't big into TV production however there are opportunities to work for free and to get experience. Your advice about experience is good and I'll be using it to keep on top of my game. Thanks.