Best & Worst Things About This Career
As reported by people currently doing the job
"I love my job because I am so involved with the whole production. I get to see each episode come to life. I often get to interact with the directors and board artists and see them share their vision through the stories they tell and the drawings they create. One of the worst parts about the job is the pay. Production staff in the entertainment industry usually get paid the least despite the amount of work that we do."
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"The best part about my job is that I get to work with volunteers. These people take time out of their lives to learn about making television programs and they keep coming back because it is enjoyable. Another bonus to my job is that I know that I am the person that brings information and entertainment that is in my town, to the people in my town and beyond. The downside in my job, to me anyway, is when I have to say no to someone. Someone would want an event covered an if I can't find a volunteer to do it and I am committed elsewhere, I have to say no and their event doesn't get covered and shared with the community."
+/-Tips for Succeeding in This Career
Helpful info from insiders
"While in college, I highly suggest having multiple internships. It's really a great way to get real work experience. Internships in the entertainment industry also provide great insight into how shows are actually created. Connections are also one of the most valuable aspects of succeeding in the industry. They often lead to jobs and internships and are a great way of building your network. Another way to get more connections is to attend networking events and panel discussions. This is also a great way to gain insight on the industry. I'd also suggest watching a lot of movies and TV shows and really pay attention to the details. You'd be surprised by how much you can learn just by watching."
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"Take courses and workshops in every end of television. It is not only important to know all the jobs in the field, but how they function and what it takes for the person in that position to to that job. Stay passionate about your dreams. Not only will it be easier for you to stay focused on you career, but others will see you passion and they will want to work with you and even help you make your dreams come true. There is nothing wrong with starting from the bottom. Production Assistants are great positions to have for getting an inside view of the business and for networking, but don't think you can't do the same thing working for craft services, being a grip, or even an apprentice to a carpenter or electrician."
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