4thWall

Use the people you work with at the internship as a resource.  I am faced with the prospect of wrapping up my internship next week and I have to face the real world.  The only people I really know in this industry are the people I am currently working with.  So, I made sure to ask advice of Mike, the editor.  He told me that the resume is the more important thing he has.  He has created many reels but isn’t sure that many employers even looked at them.  Nevertheless, a reel is very important too.  But, I was totally unsure how to make a reel for something like editing.  I know how to do one for something like cinematography but editing is harder to show off.  He told me that it should be 3-5 minutes in length, shorter is better.  Use 30 second clips of things I feel I made good editing/ post choices on, using a lower third to explain what I did with the clip. Post this on youtube or vimeo to send out to people.  No one takes tapes or DVDs anymore.    As I get more experience it is also a good idea to have several reels tailored to different types of employers. For example, If I were trying to get on a cooking show I would emphasize experience I have with cooking shows or multi camera work.    Contacts are the most important thing.  He said that all he had to do was tell his boss to hire me as the intern and it was a sure thing. And he did that because I was an SU student. So never discount SU alumni.  Trust and reputation are huge here.  The producer trusted Mike so she hired me almost without question.  She basically just asked Mike if he wanted me there.  Mike also said to me  that as he has been in the industry for 8 years, so he has many contacts and he would be willing to help me get a tape logger or assistant editing job somewhere as a recommendation from him means as much or more than my resume or reel, at least initially. People will assume I have the skills and experience because recommends me.  The bottom line is that an internship is not just about getting on the job experience but about beginning your job search.  A job search in LA is impossible without knowing anyone.  So use things like NACAN to get an internship and some initial contacts and use the internship as another stepping stone towards a job in post production.